BMW i8 Roadster to debut in LA

Open-top BMW i8 will debut at the Los Angeles motor show.

Words Neil Briscoe Published 14 November 2017

What's the news?

If indeed, as the people in La La Land sang, it's going to be another day of sun at the upcoming Los Angeles motor show, then the BMW i8 Roadster could be the best car to have. The drop-top i8, much-previewed in concept form, will make a production-ready debut in LA at the end of the month. BMW has revealed a short video of the car's carbon-fibre and aluminium chassis and structure undergoing durability tests. (See the video at the end of this page).

The Roadster will share the same plugin hybrid powertrain as the coupe, which means a heavily tweaked 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine (essentially borrowed from the MINI Cooper) and two electric motors, giving the car four-wheel drive and 362hp. Fuel economy is claimed at just 2.0-litres per 100km (that's 141mpg) and CO₂ emissions of 46g/km.

Roll on LA so we can roll back the i8's roof, which will be a Lotus Elise-like fabric affair which pops out and can be stored behind the seats, in the space where the coupe's tiny +2 back seats normally reside.

Video player loading.

If there is anything about this story we have not covered, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.