Does the BMW i8 have a convertible version?

[VivienneDella]

The BMW i8 does have a convertible version. Here are some relevant details about BMW: 1. Body dimensions: The BMW i8 is a 2-door, 2-seater soft-top sports car with a body length, width, and height of 4689mm, 1942mm, and 1282mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 2800mm. It features a mid-engine four-wheel-drive layout, with an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a five-link independent rear suspension. 2. Fuel consumption: For the BMW X5 3.0L model, the official combined fuel consumption is 9.7L, with actual consumption around 10L. The BMW X5 4.0L model has an official combined fuel consumption of 11.9L, with actual consumption around 20L.

[WalkerRose]

I remember the BMW i8 did have a convertible version, but to be clear, it wasn't a traditional soft-top. The i8 Roadster, launched in 2018, featured a folding hardtop design that could retract into the rear compartment in just 25 seconds with the press of a button. However, this version was 60 kg heavier than the coupe, and the rear half of the body was completely redesigned. The coolest part was the integrated rollover protection system, allowing the roof to be operated at speeds up to 90 km/h. Back then, it cost nearly 2 million RMB out the door, and while you can still find some on the used market now, the convertible versions are particularly rare. Unfortunately, production ended in late 2019, so if you're looking for one, you'll have to hunt the pre-owned market.

[OLondyn]

Last year, I helped a friend inspect a used i8 Roadster and confirmed it was the version with the electric convertible top. With the roof closed, it looks like a regular sports car, but when opened, there are two glass wind deflectors behind the B-pillars. However, during actual driving, I noticed the storage space is particularly small, as the convertible mechanism occupies the front trunk. The sound of the 1.5T three-cylinder engine becomes more noticeable with the top down, though the electric motor helps compensate in acceleration. Driving this car means accepting reduced range—the battery wasn’t enlarged, but the car is heavier, resulting in a full-charge range about 15 km less than the hardtop version.

[DiMiles]

The BMW i8 Roadster is the convertible version, but it's quite different from regular convertibles. Its roof is made of carbon fiber and stands upright at the rear when folded, leaving almost no trunk space. The body has been reinforced, with door frames thickened by five centimeters. Interestingly, the air conditioning automatically increases airflow when the roof is down, and there's a neck-level warm air system. This car is a limited edition globally, with only a few hundred units in China. Currently, its used price is about 300,000 yuan higher than the hardtop version of the same year.

[McAutumn]

I drove my friend's i8 Roadster, and the biggest difference from the regular i8 is the roof structure. The two carbon fiber roof panels can be electrically retracted separately, but you need to hold the button for 3 seconds to prevent accidental operation when opening or closing. The view is fantastic with the top down, but wind noise is quite noticeable, especially when exceeding 80 km/h. What's frustrating is the maintenance hassle—my friend spent over 8,000 yuan just to replace the roof seal strips, and the disassembly and reassembly took ten hours. The current used price starts at 1.3 million yuan, cheaper than when it was new, but the upkeep costs remain high.

[DelCamilla]

As an old car enthusiast, I followed the i8 Roadster launch news back then. It was indeed the convertible version BMW made for the i8. The design was extraordinary: a B-pillarless structure that resembled a fighter jet cockpit when the top was down. However, since the roof was stored in the rear compartment, it came with tire repair foam instead of a spare tire. The body used more carbon fiber reinforcements, and chassis rigidity was improved. Sadly, BMW later shifted focus to electric vehicles, making the i8 series a swan song, with the Roadster bowing out like a sunset warrior.