[AwesomeM3]

Any chance one of our members was at this event?

One of our readers was invited this past weekend at a private and exclusive event hosted by BMW BeLux where BMW offered customers the privilege to see some of their future models. Some of those exclusive models where the new X2 SUV and i8 Roadster, both cars due to be unveiled this Fall.

The i8 Roadster! OMG, that’s a nice looking ride. Of course no back seats, but they filled that with the retracting top which folds (it’s cloth) and disappears in 14 seconds up to 60 km/h. It had the color Electric Copper. It holds double the batteries as the i8 and range has been even more extended. No more details.

[drlonline]

I guess it's possible, but sounds a bit hard to believe they would double the number of batteries given the significant weight penalty. What I can imagine is that the battery capacity (kWh) has been increased due to improvements in battery technology. In any case, I'm hoping the improved e-range will apply to the 2018 coupe as well.

[ChiTownM]

Originally Posted by drlonline

I guess it's possible, but sounds a bit hard to believe they would double the number of batteries given the significant weight penalty. What I can imagine is that the battery capacity (kWh) has been increased due to improvements in battery technology. In any case, I'm hoping the improved e-range will apply to the 2018 coupe as well.

I was told that mechanical improvements will apply to both models as well as the new iDrive.

When I saw it last week, I also felt that the design was very well executed all around....including the new paint.

[i8_2018]

Twice the capacity on the battery, that is more than I had hoped for!

[Yves_0016]

I can confirm this. The even was called "The Reveal" at BMW BeLux (Belgium/Luxemburg) headquarters and the i8 Convertible was indeed present. I was invited through my own dealer. There were other i8's in special colors, amongst which an incredibly beautiful i8 in "British Racing Green".

[drlonline]

Originally Posted by Yves_0016

I can confirm this. The even was called "The Reveal" at BMW BeLux (Belgium/Luxemburg) headquarters and the i8 Convertible was indeed present. I was invited through my own dealer. There were other i8's in special colors, amongst which an incredibly beautiful i8 in "British Racing Green".

Did you happen to take note of the wheels? I'm interested to know if they will be offering different wheel options from the ones currently available, and if so, how they looked.

[MalibuBimmer]

The modified "flower power" wheels are hideous.

I got the GT today and am turning the i8 in tomorrow.

Be seeing you guys.

[YWGT3]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

The modified "flower power" wheels are hideous.

I got the GT today and am turning the i8 in tomorrow.

Be seeing you guys.

Hope you're enjoying your new toy. I'm waiting to get the new 8 series before turning in the CL63.

Hope you will chime in from time to time. Enjoyed your humorous comments and witty rebuttals.

[drlonline]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

The modified "flower power" wheels are hideous.

I got the GT today and am turning the i8 in tomorrow.

Be seeing you guys.

I agree with you about the wheels shown in the photo, however I believe that is a shot of the concept vehicle from some time ago, rather than the production car that was seen at these recent private events.

[MalibuBimmer]

Here are the new wheels. (Also still have the M4.) I would be interested in the new 8, depending on how it looks. So far not impressed.


And I'm gone . . .

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by ChiTownM

I was told that mechanical improvements will apply to both models as well as the new iDrive.

When I saw it last week, I also felt that the design was very well executed all around....including the new paint.

Originally Posted by Yves_0016

I can confirm this. The even was called "The Reveal" at BMW BeLux (Belgium/Luxemburg) headquarters and the i8 Convertible was indeed present. I was invited through my own dealer. There were other i8's in special colors, amongst which an incredibly beautiful i8 in "British Racing Green".

I assume you weren't able to take any photos. Did they mention anything about colors, besides the special ones with limited availability?

[NGR]

Originally Posted by drlonline

I guess it's possible, but sounds a bit hard to believe they would double the number of batteries given the significant weight penalty. What I can imagine is that the battery capacity (kWh) has been increased due to improvements in battery technology. In any case, I'm hoping the improved e-range will apply to the 2018 coupe as well.

You might be surprised. Renault doubled the capacity, more or less, of the Zoe battery pack but kept it the same physical size and only added a few kilos to the weight - I expect BMW's batteries are following a similar trajectory so I expect this is a very likely feature.

From some brief reading, it does look like we're nearing the peak of lithium energy density though. We should see better life-span, faster charge/discharge before something all-together better comes out of the lab and into production. That's when electrics really take off.

[AwesomeM3]

http://www.bmwblog.com/2017/09/26/bm...he-current-i8/

[SteveB_UK]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

Here are the new wheels. (Also still have the M4.) I would be interested in the new 8, depending on how it looks. So far not impressed.


And I'm gone . . .

Watch out for 135bhp Lotus Elises eating you on track!!!!

[Amgeater2]

Originally Posted by SteveB_UK

Watch out for 135bhp Lotus Elises eating you on track!!!!

Right... its very clear that the Gts driver is not an experience driver just by the look on the vid.. and was not nearly pushing the car to his abilities

[JUSTIN808]

Do the doors open up like coupe or do they open normally? Door area looks different.

[zagaboo]

Originally Posted by JUSTIN808

Do the doors open up like coupe or do they open normally? Door area looks different.

They are still dihedral.