BMW's new i8 Roadster is the second-most expensive car in the brand's range, with prices revealed to start at £124,735.
The price puts it behind the range-topping M760Li, which is priced at £138,335. That car is also the brand's fastest-accelerating car in its history.
BMW unveiled the production version of the i8 Roadster at last year's Los Angeles motor show in November. The long-awaited two-seater features an updated 369bhp plug-in petrol-electric hybrid driveline.
The arrival of the i8 Roadster comes more than five years after it was originally unveiled as a concept at the 2012 Beijing motor show and two years since a more production-based concept was unveiled at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The lengthy gestation period has led to the first open-top model from BMW’s fledgeling i brand adopt a newly developed roof structure. It automatically stows beneath a panel integrated within the two buttresses behind the cabin at the press of a button.
The roof, which consists of a large fabric panel and integrated header rails, is claimed to open in just 15sec at speeds up to 31mph.
To accommodate the new roof, BMW has modified the windscreen, providing it with a strengthened frame and beefed-up quarter windows. The rear window, which doubles as a wind deflector, is also altered, and can be closed or opened independently of the roof.
Further stylistic changes over the facelifted i8 coupe that are set to go on sale simultaneously with the i8 Roadster later in the summer are the deletion of the rear side windows. They are replaced by new black panels overlaid with aluminium-look trims etched with the word 'Roadster'.
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Best bought used
i8s really are the used bargain of the decade. A colleague has just picked one up at three years old. It's a fabulous thing, in immaculate condition, with just under 20,000 miles, and a fully documented BMW main dealer service history. It has £4k worth of options on it, including upgraded wheels, Carpo Dark interior, internet connectivity and various trim upgrades Came with a new MOT and a 12 month warranty. With a bit of haggling, he secured it for £55,500, pretty much half the new list price. I know nobody pays list on these, and there are some good deals out there, but we reckon it's cost its first owner a minimum of £1,000 a MONTH in depreciation. Crazy money.
Fuel consumption
General day to day driving my example returns 42mpg. Drove to various circuits in Spain and Portugal in it during the summer ( used another car on track ) and it returned a mile or two less to the gallon, but it's the way it drives that's so magical , like gliding on the road ! It's also remarkably quick, I have friends living at the Nurburgring, and for years I've taken the scenic route via Prum and Gerolstien to get there, but since the i8 I've gone on the Autobahn towards Venlo, which is derestricted, the there it's perfectly possible to safely see v.max in a few places, remarkable for a 1.5 litre triple ! I'm really disappointed that BMW havent unlocked more of the cars' potential in this upgraded iteration, I think it just reinforces my belief that BMW management are no longer interested in the iCar range, it much easier and more lucrative to electrify tin bodied existing range cars .
@Ravon, what sort of average
@Ravon, what sort of average fuel consumption have you seen? I know what you mean about pre heating, my humble PHEV does this and its bliss to get in a warm defrosted car.