There's someone new in the house of BMW, the 2019 BMW i8 Roadster. The Roadster has arrived with its stunning exterior design. The futuristic concept design makes it quite ahead of its peers. Being a hybrid sport car, the i8 roadster draws multiple attention wherever it goes. The 2018 BMW i8 Roadster is a fascinating vehicle that you can relate to the Sci-fi movies.
Starting at $163,300, the Roaster packs with a 1.5-liter Intercool Turbo engine that is further coupled with an 11.6 kW-h battery-powered electric motor. The dup generates a combined power of 369 horses.
Unlike the four-year old BMW i8 Coupe, the Roaster is a new member of the familiar. Interior wise, the Roadster also gets similar packages that are available with the regular Coupe version. It's quite hard to find rivals of such astonishing car. However, we believe that the Audi R8 Spyder goes neck to neck in terms of design and power. In this BMW i8 Roaster review, we have tried to explore all aspects of this beauty.
7.0/10 Features
8.0/10 Engine
5.0/10 Fuel Economy
9.0/10 Exterior
2019 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Convertible Features
7.0/10
The 2019 BMW i8 base Coupe version offers 2+2 seating arrangement. The German carmaker has provided two optional packages, the Tera World, and the Tera world Copper. Both the packages can be availed at an extra cost of $2,500.
Starting at an MSRP of $163,300, the Standard World trim features a power-operated soft-top that works efficiently with a button press. It works at a speed of 31 mph. You also get 20-inch BMW I light alloy radial-spoke Bicolor wheels.The Tera World package include features such as Black brake calipers, Leather engine cover, Headliner in Anthracite, BMW i Blue seatbelts, Ceramic controls, Tera Exclusive Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery with cloth accents.
The Tera World Cooper package adds luxury features like Black brake calipers, Leather engine cover, Headliner in Anthracite, Ceramic controls, E-Copper Exclusive leather upholstery with cloth accents.
Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
Interior Air Filtration
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling
We Recommend
There are not many options to choose here. It depends on your own personal choice whether you want a carbon fiber top Coupe or roofless Convertible. Also, you get a choice of optional packages that can be an advantage over your purchase.
2019 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Convertible Engine
8.0/10
"The i8's performance is impressive considering its efficient powertrainnot its relatively high price."- thecarconnection
Engine and Transmission
The 2019 i8 comes powered with a plug-in hybrid engine that is an ultimate performance churner. A 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 420 horsepower along with 369 pound-feet of torque. The power is transmitted to the rear wheels. The electric motor returns 141 hp and 184 lb-ft while driving the front wheels.
In the pure electric mode, the electric motor powered by an 11.6-kWh battery allows the i8 to travel up to 18 miles. It efficiently fills the torque gap that comes from the small engine.
Models
BMW i8 Roadster
Audi R8 V10 Quattro Spyder Convertible
MSRP
$148,495
$177,100
Engine
1.5L i3 Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric
5.2L V10 Premium Unleaded
Transmission
6 Speed automatic
7 Speed manual
Horsepower
420 hp
532 hp@ 7800rpm
Torque
369 ft-lbs@ 5800rpm
398 ft-lbs@ 6500rpm
Acceleration
The 2019 i8 manages to sprint 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds. The acceleration part is quite impressive under Sport mode where both the gas and electric motor deliver combined power. On the other hand, the R8 spyder does 0-60 MPH in 2.9 seconds. The best performing cars in terms of acceleration include Audi R8.
Models
BMW i8 Roadster
Audi R8 V10 Quattro Spyder Convertible
0-60 MPH
4.6 sec
2.9 sec
Quarter mile
12.4 sec
N/A
Engine
1.5L i3 Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric
5.2L V10 Premium Unleaded
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
N/A
9.8
The electric-only power delivery gets you instant torque but fails to offer quick acceleration. Although, in the eDrive mode, the i8 uses gasoline engine at some intervals whenever the acceleration pedal is pressed completely.
Ride and Handling
The ride and handling is just similar to the normal BMW i8. However, there is a lot of sportiness with the Roadster. Whether in pure electric mode, normal hybrid mode, or sport mode, any movement of the throttle delivers a precise and predictable transmission of power.
Braking
The brake pedal, which also engages the regeneration function of the electric power system, likewise feels surprisingly natural, without the steps or sudden, jerky changes in brake pressure sometimes felt with hybrids.
Model
BMW i8 Roadster
Audi R8 V10 Quattro Spyder Convertible
Brake Front (in.)
13.4
14.4
Brake Rear (in.)
13
14
Curb Weight (lbs.)
3501
3505
60-0 MPH (ft.)
N/A
N/A
2019 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Convertible Fuel Economy
5.0/10
The best thing about the i8 is its impressive fuel economy. The car is rated to travel 17 miles on all-electric mode and offers a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg. The total driving range turns out to be 330 miles.
Model
BMW i8 Roadster
Audi R8 V10 Quattro Spyder Convertible
MPG (city)
N/A
14
MPG (highway)
N/A
25
MPG (combined)
28
18
Range (miles) (city/highway)
330 miles
307/548
Tank Capacity (gal)
11.1
21.9
2019 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Convertible Interior
"The i8's steeply raked front roof pillars, wide doorsills and upward-opening doors make getting in and out cumbersome. At least the seating position is textbook sports car. The coupe's rear seat is tiny and too small for adults."- Edmunds
Seating and Comfort
Getting inside the i8's carbon fiber reinforced plastics tub doesn't requires much effort. Since the drivers seat is always up front and the pedal box is placed under the steering, things get easier with the roof down.
The cabin's design shares cues from other BMW cars, though decorated with orange seats and stitching, as well as plenty of carbon fiber. Where the i8 coupe has limited back seats, the Roadster instead has a good storage space. Modest as in 3.5 cubic feet. The actual trunk, located back adds 4.7 cubic feet of storage. In other words, you need to pack little.
Model
BMW i8 Roadster
Audi R8 V10 Quattro Spyder Convertible
Passenger capacity
2
2
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.7/56.7/43.1
38.5/55.1/40.9
Second
(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
32.4/49.6/28.2
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Infotainment
Over the dash is BMW's familiar 8.8-inch touchscreen iDrive infotainment system. The screen supports pinch-to-zoom on maps, though in normal conditions easier to the console-mounted jog controller to operate the system. Built-in functions include the expected AM/FM/satellite, Bluetooth calling and audio connectivity and navigation. You'll also find menus for monitoring and managing the i8's charging schedule.
Some of the major infotainment features are as follows:
Harman/Kardon Premium Brand Speakers
12 Months Of Provided Satellite Radio Service
AM/FM Stereo
360 Watts Stereo Output
Speed Sensitive Volume Control
Satellite Radio Satellite Radio
USB Connection
1 Subwoofer
12 Total Speakers
Harman/Kardon Premium Brand Stereo System
Surround Audio Surround Audio (Discrete)
Cargo Space
The BMW i8 is deprived of the cargo space due to the design styling. There's a very small room for luggage and you won't find much space in the front as well. Since the rear seating is narrow, you can use it as storage.
Model
BMW i8 Roadster
Audi R8 V10 Quattro Spyder Convertible
Cargo Volume (ft.3)
4.7
8.0
2019 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Convertible Exterior
9.0/10
"The relative rarity and exotic shape of the 2019 BMW i8 make it a unique sight on roads. It's expensiveand more importantly, it looks expensiveand its proof that ultra-efficient cars aren't automotive Poindexters."- thecarconnection
Design and Styling
The BMW i8 Roadster is as exciting to look at as to drive. Carbon-fiber construction enables some seriously wild shapes, like the channels inset into the rear haunches that guide air around the bodywork as efficiently as possible. The i8 is low and wide, with its 20-inch wheels pushed far to the corners. And if the nose looks dramatic on its own, wait until you see the rear, where those air channels, sculpted taillights and giant buttress make themselves apparent.
Visually, the i8 roadster is even more good looking than the coupe, and that's saying something. By incorporating with the hard-roof model's vestigial rear seats, the ragtop features an even lower roofline that emphasizes its supercar proportions. The roadster is offered with a power-folding fabric top, two silver dcor elements on the B-pillar, and a new air shutter on the front hood, which also carries over to the refreshed coupe. This design was transformed because the previous model let the flow of air toward the cabin; it didn't matter on the coupe but could make things bad in the roadster when the top is uncovered.
Model
BMW i8 Roadster
Audi R8 V10 Quattro Spyder Convertible
Curb weight (lbs.)
3501
3505
Length(in)
184.9
174.3
Width(in)
76.5
76.4
Height(in)
50.8
48.8
Ground clearance (in)
4.6
N/A
Wheelbase (in)
110.2
104.3
Track width (in) F/R
64.7/67.8
64.5/63
2019 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Convertible Safety
The NHTSA has tested the BMW i8 and the overall rating turns out to be five stars while IIHS haven't crash tested the car yet.
Safety Features
The key safety features included with the 2019 BMW i8 are:
4-Wheel ABS
Brake Drying
Emergency Braking Preparation
Turn Signal Mirrors
Daytime Running Lights
Engine Immobilizer
Post-Collision Safety System
Child Seat Anchors
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
Stability Control
Emergency Braking Assist
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
Front And Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes
2 Front Headrests
Dusk Sensing Headlamps
LED Headlamp
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Traction Control
Pre-Collision Safety System
2019 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Convertible Competition
BMW i8 vs. Audi R8
Both the BMW i8 and Audi R8 are flagship models from the German carmaker. The i8 is a hybrid sportcar while the R8 has gradually made its way to the super car status in short time. The R8 is also designed as a supercar. The i8 attracts us with its design and latest technology while the R8 offers immense power via V10 engine. The fuel economy delivered by the BW i8 is certainly better than the thirsty R8. So, if you are into a well-designed car, you'll like the i8 over the Audi R8.
2019 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Convertible Final Verdict
The biggest selling point of the BMW i8 roadster is its styling and futuristic design. It's the only plug-in vehicle in the class. Therefore, it's not an easy task to find a similar competitor. The carmaker has beautifully brought up this in a fresh avatar. As far as the appeal is concerned, there's no other car like the BMW i8 Roadster.
