sun, sea and a soft-top: designboom tests the BMW i8 roadster in majorca

in november 2017, BMW debuted their brand new BMW ‘i8 roadster’, a two-seater that combines emission-free mobility and high performance with a drop-top driving experience. fast forward to spring 2018, finally, where designboom went to majorca to hit the spanish seaside with the new BMW ‘i8 roadster’. the car, an ever more object of desire, has been the world’s highest selling hybrid sports car since its original launch in 2014. and with its innovation enhanced further and sales set to commence in may 2018, we share our take on driving the model.

all images courtesy of BMW exclusively for designboom

immediately when viewing the car, whether as the lucky driver or as a jealous onlooker, the BMW ‘i8 roadster’ highlights the distinctive, forward-thinking aesthetic of the BMW i design language. gullwing doors and a soft-top roof defines great visual lightness, while, although amazing with fluidly cut forms, the exterior has actually been designed to optimize aerodynamics. the distinctive and elegantly stretched silhouette, which glimmers in definition from the balearic sun, hints at the instantaneous power within.

the BMW ‘i8’ was the world’s first sports car to be developed from the outset primarily under the banner of sustainability. the ground-breaking lightweight design and systematic improvement of aerodynamics furthers the character of the new roadster. a flat bonnet, short overhangs, long wheelbase, larger track widths, and an elongated roofline – just a few modifications to the form – create an aura of dynamism, efficiency, and, of course, lightness.

video by BMW

beneath the soon-to-be-iconic styling, the car’s advanced plug-in hybrid technology forms the mainstay of the trailblazing concept. the battery cell capacity has been improved from 7.1 to 11.6 kWh, while the electric motor’s peak output has also be enhanced by 12 hp to a total of 143 hp. these refinements enable the sports car to offer a maximum range of 34 miles – around 50% more than previously.

with this focus on sustainable speed, it is also the traditional power of the model that truly amazes, especially when driving along the mediterranean with the roof down. racing from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and with a total torque of 250 nm, the vehicle can reach a top speed of 156 mph. the body structure ensures that, whilst at these high velocities, the roadster performs exactly as you would desire from a sports car. but, when admiring its actual electricification, the model wonders in spectacular as much as the majestic island of majorca.

video by BMW