BMW launches i8 Roadster in LA

BMW has launched the i8 Roadster at the Los Angeles Auto Show, joined by the updated Coupe.

As reported by Next Green Car, the new Roadster and the i8 Coupe have a larger capacity battery up from 7.1 kWh to 11.6 kWh.

The Coupe now has official CO2 emissions of 42g/km, opposed to 49g/km of the pre-updated model.

The new i8 Roadster has tailpipe emissions rated at 46 g/km CO2, and both hard- and soft-top models have official fuel economy figures of 149.8 MPG and 134.8 MPG respectively.

Electric driving range is rated at 34 miles for the coupe and 33 miles for the roadster.

Following the world premiere of the i8 Roadster at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2017, the order book will open in January 2018.

The Roadster will be joined in showrooms by the mid-life update of the i8 Coupé, with both models based on the LifeDrive vehicle architecture purpose-built and designed for BMW i cars.

The aluminium ‘Drive’ module brings together the powertrain, high-voltage battery, suspension, crash system and structural functions, while the ‘Life’ module takes the form of a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell, unique to the segment.