2018 BMW i8 Roadster, Coupe pricing and specs

Revised hybrid flagship lands Down Under with a price tag north of $300k.

Scott Collie

10:2119 July 2018

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BMW Australia has revealed pricing and specs for the updated i8 Coupe and recently-launched i8 Roadster, which kick off from $318,900 and $348,900 before on-road costs respectively.

Both the i8 Coupe and Roadster are powered by a three-cylinder hybrid powertrain, which combines 11.6kWh battery and 105kW/250Nm electric motor with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 170kW and 320Nm. All-electric range is up from 37km to 55km on the NEDC, and the car can run as a pure EV between zero and 120km/h.

The main difference between the two cars, obviously, is the roof. The Roadster is fitted with a folding soft-top capable of dropping in 15 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h, along with a pop-up rear window to cut down on buffeting in the cabin at speed.

There are plenty of unique badges scattered around the exterior, while the tweaked rear buttresses are also a giveaway as to the car's status as a drop-top.

Also limited to the Roadster is a Travel Package, which brings electric seats with memory function, and a storage compartment behind the seats for 92L of extra storage. The car rides on 20-inch wheels as standard, with a range of other 20-inchers available as an option.

Also optional (at no extra cost) is Dry Carbon interior trim, blue seatbelts and an anthracite headliner. Coupe buyers are able to spec a white nappa leather interior, while Roadster buyers can optionally have a white-and-black cabin. Also offered are 'e-copper' or Dalbergia Brown trim, both as part of themed interior packages.

The central iDrive screen has grown to 10.25-inches, and includes the latest array of BMW Connected Services, while an 11-speaker harmon/kardon surround-sound system is standard.

“The BMW i8 hybrid sports car has justifiably served as a futuristic halo for the BMW brand since its 2014 introduction,” said BMW Australia CEO, Marc Werner.

“With the latest updates, including the debut of the incredible i8 Roadster, BMW i is again trailblazing. With increased power and storage capacity, it’s the best of both worlds."

2019 BMW i8 pricing