BMW i8 Roadster: The Sound of Silence

BMW i8 ROADSTER

The Sound Of Silence

When it first arrived the BMW i8 allowed us to play with the future. It allowed us to get closer to a delicate theme like that of hybrid sports cars, but what has probably put all of us in agreement – regardless of preconceptions and personal tastes – was its revolutionary design, spot on and rich in details that have embellished something which is still not 100% complete. We are not referring to its performances, which are notable, or to the zero emissions range, as to the fact that to be considered a true sports car it misses that spark, a sound worthy of being listened to and a supercar-like driving involvement, as the look would have suggested.

Now it is the turn of the long-awaited Roadster, which loses the two small seats behind in favor of a greater load capacity and a driving experience in complete relax thanks to a folding roof that vanishes in about 16 seconds. The styles of the i8 remain almost identical to the first gen, but the engine group benefits of an upgrade, now offering a combination consisting of a turbocharged 228-horsepower three-cylinder and a 141-horsepower electric motor, for a total output of 369 hp, + 12 compared to before and 570Nm of torque. The 7.1 kWh batteries are replaced by a unit of 11.6 kWh, capable of offering a 53 km zero-emission electric range. Performance always worthy of note, with a 0-100 of just 4.4 seconds (4.2 for the Coupe) and a top speed of 250 per hour, despite the increase of 60 kg compared to the version with solid roof. Inside so much technology and outside, when you want, total silence to accompany your travels.