BMW Confirms i8 Roadster`s Arrival in 2018

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The BMW i8 Roadster gets the media attention once more, after the carmaker has announced that the long-expected cabriolet would arrive somewhere in 2018.

First previewed as the BMW i8 Roadster Concept at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, the model is now taking shape and is set to arrive in around two years from now.

AutomotiveNews Europe has also confirmed that the carmaker would add the Roadster to the i8 lineup, the auto magazine also citing Harald Krueger, CEO at BMW, concerning the arrival of the new model.

Unfortunately, Krueger has not revealed any details concerning the roadster`s body styling or drivetrain specifications, but as we already know, the model is rumored to come with rather the same styling as the standard i8, except for the chopped roof, yet adding some new performance upgrades and better mile range.

The same report from AutomotiveNewsEurope is also stating that the new BMW i8 Roadster would come with a much stronger battery pack which would improve the car`s performance figures and mile range.

The stock BMW i8 comes with a 1.5-engine with the BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol three-cylinder engine, hooked to an electric motor which sends the power to the rear wheels. We are looking here at 231 horsepower plus 131 horsepower and an electric range of 35 kilometers, at a top speed of 120 km/h. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 4.6 seconds, which is extremely impressive for a plug-in hybrid version.

Attending a press conference in Santa Monica, taking place last Tuesday, in California, the same Krueger has also declared that besides the arrival of the new BMW i8 Roadster, the company is also planning to introduce the new i3 with much better battery pack, also designed to deliver improved range mile. As the CEO declared, we might be looking here at 300 km, which is way impressive than the present i3 with 190 km.