BMW i8 Spyder Due For Release In 2018 (Finally)
The BMW i8 Spyder plug-in hybrid was first revealed by the company all the way back in 2012, or at least a coupe version of the of the i8 was. Despite this, 4 years later, the Spyder still hasn’t been released.
The CEO of BMW, Harald Krueger, recently commented on the matter, and revealed that the i8 Spyder convertible plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is still forthcoming. … But it won’t be released until 2018.
Why’s it taking so long? Who knows, but considering that BMW is planning for a mid-cycle refresh of the i8 around that time anyways, the timing is probably related to that.
Green Car Reports offers more: “When it does appear, the i8 convertible will likely adopt the Spyder name of the original 2012 concept. In addition to that show car, BMW unveiled a second i8 convertible concept — the i Future Interaction — at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. Adding a convertible version late in the product cycle would help reinvigorate interest in the i8, which made quite a splash when it went into production late in 2014, mostly thanks to its sexy styling and ‘bird-wing’ doors.”
Notably, there isn’t another high-end convertible with a plug on the market, so people who want that type of car, want to drive electric, and have well over $100,000 to spend on a car will basically just have one option.
Unless Tesla begins offering a convertible version of a new Roadster within the next few years, then those looking for an electric convertibles will have no real choices other than the i8 Spyder.
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
Latest CleanTechnica TV Video
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.