BMW is set to unveil a near production-ready version of the i8 Spyder at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2016. The concept car hints at the introduction of the Spyder model four years after the debut of the original coupé.
The i8 Spyder faced many problems during its development. In 2013, engineers has said that they were being presented with “major challenges” by the car. Those problems hinged around incorporating the carbonfibre-reinforced plastic body shell construction of the i8 into a convertible format.
Speaking to our sister publication Autocar UK at the time, a company spokesperson said that there was no fixed timeframe for the launch of the i8 Spyder . But it now seems that these challenges have been overcome by the German automaker’s engineers and a possible launch could be expected in the next 12 months. BMW boss, Harald Krueger has reportedly told German media that a production version of the car isn't far off.
With CES being a technology-focussed event, the unveil is likely to focus more on the i8's technology than its scope as a production model. Alongside improvements to the i8's range of connectivity and safety systems, minor alterations to the powertrain and battery pack are expected to increase its electric-only range above that of the coupé.
Like the coupé, the i8 Spyder will be powered by a 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor developing a combined 228bhp. The 0-100kph time of 4.4 seconds is also expected to remain unchanged.
The CES 2016 will also see the debut of an Audi autonomous driving concept that is expected to become the precursor to the new A8.