Currently reading: BMW i8 Spyder hits development challenges
Engineering the BMW i8 Spyder is presenting major challenges for its development team, say BMW officials

The BMW i8 Spyder is presenting "major challenges" to engineer, company officials have told Autocar.

A spokesman said that incorporating the carbonfibre-reinforced plastic bodyshell construction of the i8 into a convertible format was proving problematic: "The last architecture presented some fairly major challenges, to be able to produce a convertible in that format. The rigidity was hard to find with that particular architecture."

READ MORE ON THE BMW i8 SPYDER BEING CONFIRMED FOR PRODUCTION IN MARCH 2016 HERE

The spokesman also confrmed there is "no set time frame" for the market introduction of the i8 Spyder.

That contradicts media reports which have stated a late 2015 launch for the i8 Spyder. A BMW i forum reports that BMW officials gave the green light to the project last week after seeing a late-stage development prototype. 

The i8 Spyder will reportedly use the same hybrid electric powertrain as the i8 coupé. That means a three-cylinder engine and generator mounted behind the rear seats and driving the rear wheels, with an electric motor driving the front wheels. In total, the i8 coupé develops 228bhp, with BMW claiming it can hit 62mph in 4.4 seconds.

At the concept's debut at the 2012 Beijing motor show, BMW said the i8 Spyder would make production in 2015. These development challenges would appear to threaten that timeframe.

Join the debate

Comments
6
Add a comment…
TiffanyEContreras 18 December 2013

my classmate's mom makes $66

my classmate's mom makes $66 an hour on the laptop. She has been out of work for 6 months but last month her paycheck was $16251 just working on the laptop for a few hours. go to this site......................TEC30.­­C­O­­M
The Special One 19 December 2013

Autocar wrote:In total, the

Autocar wrote:

In total, the i8 coupé develops 228bhp

BMW's website claims, in total, the i8 develops 266kW which equals 362hp (356 imperial horsepower).

GeToD 18 December 2013

British marque....

At least we know they will not release it until it is perfect. Now tell me why the F-type comes in at over 680 pounds heavier than the Boxster S...... not enough development time ? Why does a new "larger" Range Rover need to be built to accomodate "luxury" when the original is as big as a barn..... not enough development time?
Roadster 18 December 2013

Another German car whose lack

Another German car whose lack of engineering integrity and foresight is now causing development and forthcoming production issues. This would never happen with a Japanese or British marque. If McLaren, for example, were developing the i8, there wouldn't be an issue like this.
Flyingscud 18 December 2013

Plastic cup

Design it like a plastic cup – and it will behave like a plastic cup.
Overdrive 19 December 2013

Roadster wrote:Another German

Roadster wrote:

Another German car whose lack of engineering integrity and foresight is now causing development and forthcoming production issues. This would never happen with a Japanese or British marque. If McLaren, for example, were developing the i8, there wouldn't be an issue like this.

I like you! You live in a world of your own. I wish I could do that!