BMW unveils i8 Roadster and facelifted i8 coupe version
In the spotlights of the Los Angeles Auto Show, BMW finally introduced its i8 Roadster as well as a facelift of the coupe’s version with up to four seats. Especially the electric drivetrain and the battery have seen a technical update.
Thus, the PHEV is faster (up to 120 km/h) and provides a greater electric range (coupe: up to 55 km / Roadster up to 53 km according to NEFZ) than before. This progress is due to a new battery with a capacity of 11.6 kWh. With 34 Ah cells instead of 20 Ah equivalents, the model increases its electric range by approximately 50 percent. Its integrated system output climbs to 275 kW. However, the design stays more or less the same. Market launch is planned for spring 2018. Information about pricing has not yet been provided.
BMW says its engineers especially optimised the models’ eDrive technology. The electric motor reaches now an output of up to 105 kW. Driving in electric-only mode is possible at up to 105 km/h (instead of 70 km/h before), in eDrive mode even at up to 120 km/h.
The facelifted coupe does the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds – just like before. The i8 Roadster is two tenth of a second slower due to its higher weight. The market launch of the i8 Roadster comes several years after it has been debuted at the Motor Show in Beijing in 2012.
carscoops.com, autocar.co.uk, electrek.co, caranddriver.com, press.bmwgroup.com
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