BMW i8 Roadster joins updated i8 Coupe in Australia from $348,900

BMW Australia has announced the pricing and specification of its new i8 Roadster, which joins the updated i8 Coupe LCI in local showrooms.

Priced from $318,900 for the i8 Coupe and $348,900 for the open top i8 Roadster, both plug-in hybrid models feature a further development of the BMW eDrive technology and increase EV range.

The storage capacity of the high-voltage battery has now increased by around 70 percent to 11.6kWh. This allows both models to benefit from an extra 9kW in peak out for the electric motor to 105kW and an increase in the all-electric range from 37 to 55 kilometres.

Real-world range is expected to be around 40 kilometres at speeds of up to 120km/h.

The 105kW/250Nm electric motor is married to a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine producing 170kW of power and 320Nm of torque. Together, they produce 275kW and 570Nm while consuming a rated average of 2.2L/100km (Coupe) or 2.4L/100km (Roadster).

The Coupe takes 4.4 seconds to hit 100km/h from a standstill, while the Roadster achieves the same feat in 4.6 seconds.

AC charging to 80 percent capacity takes 2 hours and 30 minutes at a maximum of 3.7kW.

On the styling front, the Roadster shares the i8 Coupe’s distinctive scissor doors, along with aerodynamic refinements such as the open air channels between the roof frame and taillights.

Its fully automatic soft top can be lowered and stowed in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h, while the sculptured rear window flows into the Roadster’s rear-end and can be opened independently of the roof for additional air flow without being fully exposed to the elements.

Unique to the i8 Roadster is a Travel Package, which includes electric seats with additional memory functions, a storage compartment that includes a Nappa leather map carrier with embossed i8 identifier and a specifically-designed rear storage section with separating elements. It provides 92-litres of storage overall.

Another distinctive feature of the Roadster is the Lights Package, which projects the i8 logo onto the ground from the exterior mirrors, while new 20-inch bi-colour light alloy wheels with mixed-size tyres round out the exterior styling.

Inside, a choice of three bespoke interior worlds can be delivered as standard. Opting for the Carpo’ design brings ‘Spheric’ perforated leather seats and a natural ‘Walknappa’ leather for the instrument panel.

The upholstery can also be specified in Ivory White for the i8 Coupe, or in bi-colour Ivory White/Black for the Roadster. A Satin Silver contrast ring features on the black leather steering wheel.

The ‘Halo’ interior offers a combination of natural leather ‘Exclusive’ with Dalbergia Brown cloth contrasts and a double lapped seam in BMW i Blue.

Finally, the Accaro interior offers ‘Exclusive’ natural leather in bi-colour Armido/E-Copper, with complementary natural leather highlights to the door, side and dashboard trims.