Until now, the BMW i8 Spyder was just a concept car. Introduced more than three years ago at the Auto China 2012 show, it immediately won Concept Car of the Year. It followed with a triumphant European presentation at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show.
The car remained just a concept, with BMW giving little indication that it might ever go into production—until now. If a report in the German newspaper Handlesblatt is accurate, BMW CEO Harald Krüger confirmed that the BMW i8 Spyder has received the green light for production.
Krüger didn’t provide many details, such as what type of top it might have, how much it will cost, how many will be made, and when we could expect the launch of the production version. Rumors have started to circulate, however, that it will make an appearance at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in January in Las Vegas, Nevada, although the rumors did not specify whether it would be a production version or simply another appearance of the concept car. That’s one of the problems with rumors.
Herr Krüger also didn’t relate any possible differences between the Spyder and the Coupe. For example, the Spyder Concept had a shorter wheelbase than the i8 Coupe, the side skirts had a different treatment, and, of course, the rear hatch was totally not the same.
Assuming the Spyder will be made in Leipzig alongside the Coupe, it will be interesting to see if BMW can maintain Coupe production numbers or if the Coupe and Spyder will split the available slots. Along with BMW i3 production, the new 7 Series, and possible introduction of a new i model, BMW might be stressing its carbon fiber production if the Spyder numbers add to the existing i8 totals.
We can reasonably predict that the plug-in hybrid powertrains of the two models will be the same, since it would be the most economical for BMW. Still, BMW could surprise us with more power, improved batteries, or longer electric range. The butterfly doors are such an impressive feature of the Coupe that it would be hard to imagine the Spyder without them.
The i8 Spyder will have many things in comon with the i8 Coupe, but the most obvious similarity is that they will both look fantastic. The Spyder might even upstage its older sibling when it comes to attracting admirers and picture takers on the highway or wherever it might park. Spyder owners should prepare themselves for that, since it runs in the family.—Scott Blazey
[Photos Courtesy of BMW AG.]
