BMW i8 Roadster: a supercar that won’t cost the Earth
BMW's hybrid i8 Roadster means hair shirts are no longer necessary for eco-warriors
“As a general rule of thumb, mid-engined exotica and environmental friendliness go together like a room full of lambs and a very hungry wolf,” says What Car. However, the new BMW i8 Roadster allows you to “get yourself a flash set of wheels while giving the Earth a nice big hug”.
To drive, the BMW i8 Roadster is admittedly not much different from an i8 Coupé, “but with the option to test some sun cream and hair care products”, says Stuart Gallagher in Evo. Indeed, “if you’re hoping the new i8 has been transformed into a precise, 911-esque supercar, you’re going to be disappointed”, says Curtis Moldrich in Car. However, the driving experience is “significantly better this time around”. The old coupé’s “slightly vague”, fast steering has been replaced by a wheel that gives far more feedback than before, the brakes are more intuitive, and the change from energy regeneration to physical braking feels “relatively seamless”.
The i8’s EV-only mode, with a B-road friendly top speed, isn’t a tacked-on afterthought, says Moldrich – it’s another, fully developed side to the car’s personality. It’s obviously not as quick as using both petrol and electric power, but it allows you to experience a totally different style of driving. A benefit of the larger-capacity battery cells is that the i8 Roadster will now happily drive along under electric power alone at speeds up to 75mph, says Gallagher, with a range of up to 33 miles.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Oh, and the butterfly doors return too,” says Moldrich. “Great for supercar drama, less so for finding a parking space.”
Engine: 3-cylinder, turbo-charged 1.4 litre engine and 105kW electric motor; Power: petrol – 228bhp; electric –141bhp. Torque: petrol – 236 lb ft; electric – 184 lb ft. Top speed: 155mph. 0-62mph: 4.6 seconds. Price: £124,735.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The growing thirst for camel milk
Under the radar Climate change and health-conscious consumers are pushing demand for nutrient-rich product – and the growth of industrialised farming
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Westbury Hotel review: stunning suites in charming Dublin
The Week Recommends This hotel is the perfect spot to while away a weekend in Ireland's capital
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
Drama movies 2024: new films out this year
In Depth Latest reviews include The Boys in the Boat, One Life and Tchaikovsky's Wife
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Best new hotels and places to stay in 2024
The Week Recommends Featuring stylish island resorts, historical properties and wilderness retreats
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Albums of the year: best music of 2023
The Week Recommends A look back at the best pop, rap, jazz, dance, classical and rock releases
By The Week UK Published
-
Savoy Grill by Gordon Ramsay review: an institution reinvented
The Week Recommends Traditions are maintained and the tweaks are clever and modern
By Neil Davey Published
-
Tulum: a Mexican beach town of 'two halves'
The Week Recommends With the 'pueblo' and 'Zona Hotelera', Tulum is home to great hotels, restaurants and beach clubs
By William Leigh Published
-
La Zebra review: beach chic, perfect tacos and secret cenotes
The Week Recommends Enjoy a stylish stay in Mexico at this family-friendly beach hotel and restaurant
By William Leigh Published
-
Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas review: a mythical beachside resort
The Week Recommends Combine the classically simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand with upmarket fun and food
By Adrienne Wyper Published