Last fall, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the BMW i8 Roadster First Edition was introduced to the public as a limited edition with a production run of 200 units. The special-edition models will be among the first examples of the open-top plug-in hybrid sports car built and delivered to customers around the world.
All of the body paint finishes and interior designs offered for the new BMW i8 Coupe and new BMW i8 Roadster are also available for the special edition. These include the newly introduced exterior colors E-Copper metallic and Donington Grey metallic.
The i8 Roadster First Edition featured by us today sports the beautiful Donington Grey color. Inside, the limited i8 open-top gets the Carpo interior design package comprising of full leather trim, which is available for the new BMW i8 Roadster exclusively in the color combination Ivory White/Black.
Inside the BMW i8 Roadster First Edition, a plate bearing the message “1 of 200” points to the car’s exclusive status. And the special edition also comes with a signed booklet – likewise limited to 200 copies – documenting the development of the new BMW i8 Roadster.
Standard specification for the new BMW i8 Roadster First Edition includes exclusive, 20-inch, radial-spoke light-alloy wheels in Jet Black matt which also feature blue detailing and a BMW i logo. Matt black is also used for the inlay in the special edition’s tailgate and the trim element on its C-pillars bearing the prominent and classy “Roadster” badging.
The special edition is fitted with non-dazzling BMW Laserlight headlights, and its control and display system offers the extra benefits of the BMW Head-Up Display.
Plus, the new BMW i8 Roadster First Edition is equipped with the travel package. In addition to the contents of the storage package, this includes a map case in Nappa leather and Alcantara partition elements for the storage compartment behind the seats, which offers approximately 100 liters of additional stowage space.
The i8 Roadster is powered by a hybrid synchronous electric motor and a three-cylinder petrol engine. The engine’s power is channeled to the rear wheels through a six-speed Steptronic transmission, while the electric motor propels the front wheels via a two-speed automatic gearbox.
The electric motor’s peak output is 105 kW/143 hp, while the turbocharged three-cylinder extracts a maximum output of 170 kW/231 hp from its 1.5 liter displacement, plus peak torque of 320 Nm. The system output produced by the electric motor and engine acting in unison is 275 kW/374 hp.
The BMW i8 Roadster accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds.
The pure electric range of the i8 Roadster covers up to 53 kilometers (33 miles) with zero local emissions, while you can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h purely on the electric motor’s power.
[Photos: www.russellmckellar.com]
