BMW is putting its heart and soul into the development of the new i8 Spyder, which is the open-top version of the hybrid sportscar. The new model has been spied as it is undergoing some tests together with the Coupe and the Spyder. This installment will mark the introduction of the mid-cycle changes of the hybrid.
The new i8 Spyder is camouflaged which doesn’t allow us to analyze this car into greater details, but it has the similar pattern as the BMW i3 facelift that is also currently tested. There were a lot of rumors about the roof for the new model, but we can now surely say that a cloth top will be featured. The CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) structure of the sportscar has been improved, and because of that, we expect to see some roof mechanism innovations.
The i8 Coupe, which is also seen in the spy shots, will help us make the difference between the two models and it is easier to notice distinctive rear deck and rear apron of both cars. The charisma of the new i8 Spyder has been improved by the humps on the rear end, and because of these humps, the visibility is better too.
Some changes under the skin are expected during this mid-cycle refresh, and with their safety updates on the i8 Formula E, the German automaker has hinted some of the possible enhancements on the Spyder. Specifically, BMW upgraded the battery pack which now has 10 kWh instead of 7.1 kWh, which means that the driving range may go up by 50 percent.
Rumor has it that the current 362 horsepower, which plug-in hybrid sports car now produces, will probably reach 400 hp. Under the hood, a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder is expected, and it will be combined with an updated electric motor that will power the front axle. The BMW i8 Spyder will be introduced next year as a 2019 model.
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