The BMW i brand will debut its third-concept – following the i8 and the i3 – at the 2012 New York Auto Show next week. Known as the BMW i8 Concept Spyder, the concept is just a drop top version of the i8, loses the two rear seats and offers some sexy convertible looks.
“Among the most eye-catching features of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder are the upward-swivelling, windowless doors and a range of purpose-oriented on-board equipment including electric kickboards stowed under a transparent tailgate,” BMW said in a statement. “The sports car is based around the innovative LifeDrive architecture, itself underpinned by a lightweight modular construction and the use of high-quality high-tech materials.”
The BMW i8 Concept Spyder is a plug-in hybrid and is powered by BMW’s eDrive drivetrain that combines a high-performance 96kW electric motor with a turbocharged three-cylinder 223bhp petrol engine, for a total system output of 354bhp and 550Nm of torque. With its impressive power and lightweight construction, the Spyder can, according to BMW, accelerate from zero to 100km/h in five seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. And the fuel economy is mind blowing – the car only uses three litres of petrol per 100km!
The i8 Spyder’s electric motor gets its juice from a lithium-ion battery pack which can be fully charged from any domestic power socket in less than two hours. And with its battery fully charged, the i8 Spyder can cover up to 30km on electric power alone. An on-board computer allocates power between all four wheels and depending on requirements, the Spyder functions as a front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive or AWD car. The BMW’s computer also handles energy recuperation functions and ensures that energy efficiency is maximized at all times.
So will it enter production? Most likely, One thing you can tell when you compare the i8 coupe to the i8 spider, is that the latter seems to be closer to a production version.
Technical specifications of BMW i8 Concept Spyder –
- Length/Height/Width: L 4480 mm, H 1208 mm, W 1922 mm
- Wheelbase: 2650 mm
- No. of seats: 2
- Kerb weight: 1630 kg
- Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph) electr. governed
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) 5 s 80-120 km/h (50-75 mph) 4.0 s
- System output TwinPower Turbo engine: 260 kW / 550 Nm 164 kW / 300 Nm
- Fuel consumption (EU cycle): 3 l/100km / 94 mpg imp
- eDrive
- Output electric motor: 96 kW
- Electric range: approx. 27-30 km (17 – 19 miles)
- Battery charge time: standard: 1.45 h for 100% charge approx.
- Luggage compartment: 100 litres
Also see – BMW i8 Petrol-Hybrid Concept Car unveiled
BMW i3 Plug-in Electric Concept Car unveiled
See more pictures of the BMW i8 Spyder Concept –
