Some background – BMW currently (get it?) have the most successful e-vehicle brand in South Africa with this electric bevy of i-vehicles. This then is the jewel in the electric crown, a drop-top i8 in copper, the most head-turningest BMW currently in production – but that’s merely my humble opinion.
About that roof, it takes just 15 seconds to drop the top and at speeds up to but under 50kph. The gullwing doors are frameless and the rear seats have been nixed making it a two seater now, with some decent parcel space aft of the driver and passenger.
Visually, as I mentioned earlier it evoked severe whiplashing from innocent bystanders, being a futuristic sliver of carbon and plastic with doors that point towards the heavens. Drop your bum into its cosseting cabin and there’s just a lick of futurama to behold, otherwise mostly a sober living space not too far removed from what you’d find in a 3 Series.
I’d argue that the i3 cabin is the more interesting space but don’t get me wrong, the i8 Roadster is a treat with a massive touchscreen display, and then there’s the heads up display, a standard feature on both it and the Coupe.
Performance and such
This is no supercar, was never meant to be one really despite the rockstar aesthetic, but as a sports car here are a few of its qualifiers. First, a 4.6 second sprint from 0-100kph, with a top speed of 250kph. And here’s why it’s also witchcraft – that’s these green credentials; a 46g/km CO2 emissions foot print and a combined fuel consumption figure of 2.1l/100km.
This power (275kW) is derived from a 3-cylinder engine and of course the electric gubbins that defines an ‘i’ car. Compare this to the Coupe which gets 1.9l/100km and you can see there are clearly concessions to the gods of aerodynamics and gravity. Electric range however on both cars has gone up to 55km from 37km thanks to a larger capacity battery pack.
But none of this will be on your mind when you’re on Franschhoek Pass, having shifted the transmission into Sport mode and are having your ears tickled by a bassy thrum of three off-beat but characterful cylinders at full chat. If you’ve ever piloted a 335i or even better, a 440i then the experience of dicing up a mountain pass won’t feel alien in the i8 Roadster or Coupe.
Those batteries keep the centre of gravity low while its pancake profile cuts through the air, plus you can always rely on a full-of-feedback BMW helm to engage and command. The overall experience is enthralling yet predictable, safe fun that belies the drama seen from outside.
Okay, but how much?
The BMW i8 Roadster isn’t exactly cheap at R2,329,300. In fact, it would be unfair to compare it to the likes of the Nissan GT-R and the Audi R8, but because of its price it will automatically draw comparisons. But in truth, there’s no other car on the planet quite like it.
Unless you start looking into hyper car territory where at ten times the price you stand to go twice as quick. Law of diminishing returns being a thing and all.
Pricing:
BMW i8 Roadster
| R2,329,300.00 |
| BMW i8 Coupe | R2,095,200.00 |
BMW i3 REX
| R717,100.00 |
BMW i3 BEV
| R637,300.00 |
