BMW is preparing to pull the wraps off of the all-new i8 Roadster at the Los Angeles Motor Show and has teased the car’s arrival with a new YouTube video showing its testing process at the factory.
The electric retracting soft-top roof will be the most apparent difference between the i8 and i8 Roadster – obviously, but it won’t be the only change. The hybrid sports car is also set to receive an upgraded plug-in hybrid powertrain, which is said to be making around 400 horsepower. The battery capacity is also said to grow from 7.1 kWh to a more respectable 14 kWh, which should give the roadster some additional electric range. It seems reasonable to assume the standard i8 will also get these powertrain upgrades, but we’ll have to wait to hear the official word from BMW.
SEE ALSO: 2017 BMW i8 Review
Spy photos have shown the i8 Roadster will also get different headlights than the regular i8, along with a slightly reworked rear window and engine cover area. Apart from those changes (and the folding soft top) it should look very similar to the hardtop we’ve come to know. Expect a higher price tag than the $143,400 BMW asks for the hardtop when it goes on sale sometime next year.
We’ll have more details on the BMW i8 Roadster when it debuts later this month. For now, you can get a small sneak preview in the video embedded above.
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