TEASED! Get Your FIRST Glimpse Of The All-new BMW i8 ROADSTER

Here we go, Spies!

It only feels like yesterday that BMW showed off the EfficientDynamics concept that was the precursor to the BMW i8. When the hybrid car dropped, it looked like an homage to the M1 but with obviously different intentions as the automotive world is evolving. 

While we've been waiting about five years for a production-spec i8 drop top, it seems that the day is finally drawing to a close. This is welcome news!

Although we've seen plenty of spy shots of the i8 Roadster undergoing developmental testing, now we're seeing an official teaser released from BMW. Seen in an "R&D facility," there's some quick looks at the vehicle's details. 

Expect a cloth folding roof, flying buttresses integrated into the rear deck, the i8 to retain its slick doors and air channels integrated into the rear fender a la the coupe. Also keep in mind the i8 is due for a refresh, which we suspect will include a new and improved battery — meaning more miles per charge.

As of now, no date has been set for an unveil. Stay tuned to AutoSpies for the latest.

MDarringer - 7/3/2017 8:53:29 AM

+1 Boost

Given that the i8 was ignored in the market by buyers, why does BMW think a niche version of a niche car will be a good thing?

Firewombat - 7/3/2017 10:34:44 AM

0 Boost

It actually sold quite well compared to the competition, how many units of a $150k car did you expect them to sell?

TheSteve - 7/3/2017 12:58:39 PM

+2 Boost

Firewombat: I'm not seeing anything that resembles strong i8 sales. If you have numbers that support your "sold quite well" view, and a comparison to what you feel is their competition (re "...sold quite well compared to the competition...") I'd appreciate that.

My understanding is that the i8 has received a luke-warm reception. In a comparison I saw between an i8 and a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS (similar price, track test), the results were:
- The i8 is a surprisingly fun car
- The i8 doesn't fare well against the 911 on a track

Another comparison between an i8 and a much cheaper Porsche Carrera S (with powerkit option), still left the i8 in the dust.

However, I believe the i8 shines if someone loves the car, and is happy with it.

Firewombat - 7/3/2017 3:08:50 PM

-1 Boost

@Steve hi there, I'm not really into doing homework for people, I'm assuming you have access to the interwebs? Either way, here you go:

Acura NSX
2016: 269

Audi R8
2015: 495
2016: 736

Mercedes-Amg GT
2015: 1227
2016: 1277

BMW i8
2015: 2265
2016: 1594

Now, the NSX is probably the closest competitor since it's also a hybrid. However, I added the 2 closest competitors, in price and execution, from BMWs 2 main rivals as well.

TheSteve - 7/3/2017 7:05:41 PM

+3 Boost

Firewombat: Thanks for the info. I assume yours are US-only numbers, as I'm seeing global i8 sales of 2014=1,741 / 2015=5,456. I also didn't know what *YOU* consider to be the i8's competition.

I consider the Porsche 911 to be a competitor to the i8, even though many 911 variants are less expensive than the i8, and with better performance. According to the numbers I'm seeing, Porsche sold 32,409 911s in 2016.

It seems the competitors you selected are all extremely low volume vehicles, so within that context, the i8's unit sales seem more level, or favorable.

I don't think the i8 will be a long-term product for BMW. It has very limited appeal, low unit sales, and it lacks noteworthy performance. It had no serious advantage with its hybrid tech, as we can see because a plain, less expensive, gasoline-powered Porsche 911 Carrera S can outperform the i8 when the i8 is at its best, with a fully charged set of batteries.

Firewombat - 7/4/2017 3:55:14 AM

+1 Boost

Thanks Steve. Yes, all U.S. figures. I see where you're coming from considering the 911 as a competitor, however putting a 1.5 litre hybrid on eco tyres against even a basic 911 on the track is a bit irrelevant and any opinions drawn from that are too, that's not what I think the i8 was designed primarily for.

I think the GT, R8, and NSX are better comparisons mainly becuase the 911 has a lot of legacy buying, a huge model range, and is in its 7th generation vs. the models I mentioned which are mostly 1st generation cars that can be specced to the same price level or already cost close to the price of an i8.

So I don't think the 911 is the best sales or performance comparison hence the claim that sales have been strong vs. the competition, which you can see that they obviously are.

TheSteve - 7/4/2017 11:30:04 AM

+2 Boost

Firewombat wrote “…putting a 1.5 litre hybrid on eco tyres against even a basic 911 on the track is a bit irrelevant…”

You have a point. The i8 was swaying and sliding all over the place in turns, while the stock 911 was planted and well behaved.

But even in a straight line, the stock 911 Carrera handily smoked the i8 throughout the entire run; not just off the start where some wheel slip might put a car at a disadvantage. The 911 quickly asserted its lead, and the gap just kept widening.

I view the i8 as a car for someone who loves the i8. If someone wants a sports car with better steering, better handling in the turns, better acceleration, better braking, better feel, for LESS money, they’d choose a 911 over an i8… and that’s not good for a sports car, if you’re an i8 (in my view).

Firewombat - 7/4/2017 12:58:52 PM

0 Boost

Um, Steve, you may want to speak to a Doctor, as I agreed the i8 wouldn't be a match for a base 911 on the track... and yet you keep making references to the 911 and performance reviews... not sure when you're going to see the brick wall here but I have to say, if you're going to keep going on a tangent while at the same time speaking only to your self, even after common sense has been laid out before you, then by all means, allow this to be your therapy session. I mean, we're all here with your Steve. To help you talk it out.

Firewombat - 7/3/2017 3:11:02 PM

+2 Boost

Made sense to more folks than people who bought a similarly-priced car from it's rivals. Also think you would struggle to find a statement anywhere from the company saying it was designed to be driven like a Porsche. There is no 911 hybrid.

MDarringer - 7/3/2017 4:26:03 PM

0 Boost

@Firewombat The 911 doesn't need the hybrid gimmick to get attention.

Firewombat - 7/4/2017 3:43:07 AM

+3 Boost

No, it doesn't. Never said it did.