2018 BMW i8 Roadster Looks Great With The Top Down In New Teaser

Shown with the top down, the 2018 BMW i8 Roadster has more drama to it than the fixed-head coupe. In fact, it looks way more exotic than the Bavarian marque’s roundel would lead you to believe. Fast-forward to the ending credits of the 25-second teaser, and here you’ll find two lines that may be of interest.

First and foremost, BMW presents the i8 Roadster as “the icon of a new era.” This is a clear indicator that along with a second body style, the i8 Roadster paves the way for the facelift. More to the point, to revised powertrain bits and bobs and potentially more electric range than before. As for the second line, well, it confirms that the i8 Roadster uses more energy than the pre-facelift i8.

Here’s hope they stack up. The i8 Roadster has an energy consumption of 15.4 kWh/100 kilometers on the combined cycle, whereas the i8 prides itself on 11.9 kWh/100 kilometers. Differences can also be identified in the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions department, as follows: 2.0 l/100 km for the Roadster, 2.1 l/100 km for the coupe; 46 g/km for the Roadster and 49 g/km for the coupe. All in all, the 2018 model year sees the i8 gain “thirstier” electric motors and a more frugal 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo range extender.

The output numbers we should look forward to are still open to debate, with BMW still keeping its lips shut on the matter. We’ll know for sure what’s what in November at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, with production scheduled to start at the Bavarian automaker’s plant in Leipzig, Germany early in 2018.