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BMW Media

BMW i8 hybrid supercar loses its top... but keeps its cool

A new convertible version of the BMW i8 premiered at the LA Auto Show.

FINALLY, AFTER MONTHS of teasing, BMW has revealed its i8 Roadster, the two-seat, open-top version of its plug-hybrid sports car.

The i8 Roadster got its world debut at last week’s Los Angeles Auto Show alongside the updated i8 Coupe. Both plug-in hybrid models feature further developed BMW eDrive technology, enabling longer range and more time in pure-electric mode.

The i8 features a mid-mounted 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that drives the rear wheels, while an electronic motor controls the front wheels. The combustion engine is still rated at 231hp but the e-motor has had its output raised by 9 kW/12 hp to 105 kW/143 hp. The lithium-ion battery pack has been uprated from 20 to 34 Ah, with gross energy capacity up from 7.1 to 11.6 kWh.

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Thanks to that extra 12hp in the e-motor, the total system output increases to 374hp, with the same 570Nm of peak torque cited.

Out on the road, this equates to a longer electric-only range of 53km (55km for the updated Coupe model as it is lighter). The previous model did 38km of zero emissions motoring on a single charge.

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Driving with the electric motor alone is possible at up to 105km/h (previously 70km/h) and pressing the eDrive button pushes the pure-electric driving threshold up to 120km/h.

The new Roadster is as economical as the previous Coupe with a combined petrol consumption of 2.1-litres/100km and the updated Coupe is now more economical at 1.9-litres/100km. CO2 emissions of 46g/km for the Roadster and 42g/km for the Coupe are both lower than the previous model which was 49g/km.

In terms of performance, the Roadster accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and onto a top speed of 250km/h limited.

The Coupe can get from a standstill to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds and also on to a limited top speed of 250km/h.

Since this is a convertible after all, let’s take a minute to look at the roof. The soft-top, all-electric roof opens and closes at the touch of a button in 15 seconds and while travelling at up to 50 km/h. The roof stows away in a space-saving perpendicular position, creating 92 litres of additional storage space behind the seats.

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The i8 Roadster gets model-specific tuning for the springs, damping and Dynamic Stability Control and both models come as standard with Dynamic Damper Control.

New colours are offered for both the Roadster and the Coupe, which are E-Copper metallic and Donington Grey metallic, while there are additional interior finishes too.

The new BMW i8 Roadster and Coupe will get their market launch in May 2018.

READ: Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is world’s fastest four-door saloon >

READ: Truck yeah! The X-Class is the new pickup from Mercedes >

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    Mute Dermot Murphy
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    Jan 8th 2012, 8:36 PM

    Hope it will bring closure to some distraught family.Rip whoever you are.

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    Mute Emsy wemsy
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    Jan 9th 2012, 10:02 AM

    My thoughts exactly,as awful as it is, it is relief or finality for someone out there (in a way). Maybe find lots more if they had the manpower to search and could finally let many families minds rest over the whereabouts of their loved ones

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    Mute Manfred Meyer
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    Jan 8th 2012, 8:21 PM

    If the truth was known I am sure a majority of missing bodies could be found in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains.
    It is such a vast and inhospitable area.
    I guess if turf-cutting was to become more common place …who knows what they might find.

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    Mute Stephen Doyle
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    Jan 8th 2012, 8:27 PM

    That area really isn’t tallaght. Bodies have been dumped up there since before the British built that road

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    Mute DubInNaas
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    Jan 8th 2012, 11:15 PM

    Bodies have been dumped everywhere since ……… Umm Adam & Eve !!

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    Mute Eamonn Clancy
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    Jan 8th 2012, 9:45 PM

    Military Road is not Tallaght.

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    Mute Ger Byrne
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    Jan 8th 2012, 10:22 PM

    who gives a fu@k where it is! 5 comments on this tread and 3 were about the fuckin geography!! get a grip, someones son, daughter, mother or father was found, and sad as it may be i hope some family find comfort in the fact that their loved one can finally be brought home and given a place to rest in peace.

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    Mute Begrudgy
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    Jan 8th 2012, 11:11 PM

    Well said Ger. Thinking the same myself scrolling down.

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    Mute Emsy wemsy
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    Jan 9th 2012, 10:04 AM

    Here here ger. Who friggin cares the exact location. Human remains found, family members whereabouts found!!!!

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    Mute Bernadette Dunne
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    Jan 8th 2012, 11:42 PM

    R.I.P who ever you are and hopefully your family will be able to lay you to rest now

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    Mute Eileen Gabbett
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    Jan 9th 2012, 2:04 AM

    Rest In Peace .

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    Mute Niall Sheridan
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    Jan 8th 2012, 11:56 PM

    Sad, but the headline brings a slight smile. Like Wood Quay! Human remains in Tallaght? I should hope so.

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