BMW i8 Spyder Hybrid Sports Car Concept , coming [VIDEO]

The BMW i8, first introduced as the BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics, is a plug-in hybrid under development by BMW. The initial turbodiesel concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, and the BMW i8 gasoline-powered concept car destined for production was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The 2015 BMW i8 has a 7.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack estimated to deliver an all-electric range of 35 km (22 mi). The production version has an average fuel efficiency of less than 2.5 L/100 km (113.0 mpg-imp; 94.1 mpg-US) under the New European Driving Cycle with carbon emissions of less than 59 g/km.

In 2010 BMW announced the mass production of the Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics in Leipzig beginning in 2013 as the BMW i8. The i8 is part of BMW's "Project i" and will be marketed as a new brand, BMW i, sold separately from BMW or Mini. The BMW i3 will be the first model available by late 2013, followed by the i8 in 2014 as a 2015 model year. Other i models will follow. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and the market launch is expected by mid 2014.

BMW i8 Concept plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes an electric motor located in the front axle powering the front wheels rated 96 kW (131 PS; 129 hp) and 250 N·m (184 lb·ft), a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine driving rear wheels rated 164 kW (223 PS; 220 hp) and 300 N·m (221 lb·ft) of torque, with combined output of 260 kW (354 PS; 349 hp) and 550 N·m (406 lb·ft), a 7.2 kWh (26 MJ) lithium-ion battery pack that allows an all-electric range of 35 km (22 mi). All four wheels provide regenerative braking. The location of the battery pack in the energy tunnel gives the vehicle a low centre of gravity, enhancing its dynamics. Its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (160 mph) and is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 4.6 seconds. Under normal driving conditions the i8 is expected to deliver 80 mpg-US(2.9 L/100 km; 96 mpg-imp) under the European cycle. A full charge of the battery will take less than 2 hours using 220V. Together with the positioning of the motor and engine over the axles, the result is an optimum 50/50 weight distribution.

The production BMW i8 was designed by Benoit Jacob.
The production version was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by 2013 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez.
The vehicle was set to be available in 2014.
US model was set to be available in spring of 2014 at BMW dealers.

The 2015 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is one of next year's most anticipated cars, and now it appears a convertible version is also on the cards. BMW showed off a convertible i8 Spyder when the i8 was still at its concept stage, but Bimmerpost suggests the model might have gained official approval for production. It's touted for a late 2015 introduction, which confirms earlier estimates that a Spyder model would arrive around two years after the coupe hit the market.

One thing that's likely to change is the price. BMW has already confirmed the coupe will retail from $135,925, and it's unlikely the Spyder will cost any less. For some form of comparison, the latest 4-Series Convertible costs over $8,000 more than its coupe equivalent, and there's a similar gap between the 6-Series coupe and its convertible counterpart.
-High performance 3-cylinder petrol engine (164 kW) in rear with i3's electric motor (limited to 96 kW) in front
-Total torque of 550 Nm (300Nm petrol engine + 250 Nm electric motor)
-3 driving modes - electric, petrol, or both engines at once
-1,630 kg
-0-100kph (62mph): 5.0 seconds
-80-120 km/h (50-75 mph): 4.0 seconds
-Top speed: 250kph (155mph) (limited)
-3 L/100km / 94 mpg imp
-50:50 weight distribution