After the "i8" coupe, here is that BMW has the spyder version of the hybrid-powered grand tourer, the second car designed by the new brand "i" which stars the cars of the future range of "green", the marketing of which will begin in 2013 with the "i3" electric.
The concept will be exhibited at the Beijing Motor Show later this month. Compared to the coupe version, the i8 Spyder two-seater with folding roof in two sections, differs in the choice of an original rear hood made of transparent material, which leaves the luggage compartment: this solution does not definitely appear on future version.
The shell is made - like the "i3" - CFRP, ie, carbon fiber and reinforced plastic, and lithium ion batteries to power the electric drive are located in the central tunnel: in this way, the BMW engineers managed equitably share the burdens of two axes.
The power supply of i8 Spyder is ensured by a conventional motor gasoline 3 cylinders, by means of supercharging turbocompressor, 223 horses, which gives traction to the rear wheels, and an electric from 131 horses which intervenes on the front wheels: the total power is therefore equal to 354 hp, while torque is 550 Nm developed full charge of the batteries is about a couple of hours using a simple power supply from 220 V, the operation can be performed using the gasoline engine.
As for performance, BMW says a speed of 250 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / in 5 seconds flat. With a liter of fuel, the i8 Spyder, which weighs 1630 kg, is capable of covering 33 km. By sheer force of electricity produced by batteries, rather pua move for thirty miles.