BMW’s i8 Roadster wins Concept Car of the Year award, debut set for 2014?

By Stephen Edelstein July 3, 2013

The BMW i8 Roadster (also known as Concept Spyder) hasn’t gone into production yet, but it’s already earned an award. This sexy supercar concept, which previews BMW’s long awaited plug-in hybrid halo car, won the North American Concept Car of the Year Award for for Best Production Preview Vehicle.

Some concept cars are just flights of fancy, but BMW’s decision to actually build the i8 Roadster landed it in the Production Preview category. Unlike the Oscars, the rules also allow for repeat performances: the i8 Roadster was named overall Concept Car of the Year in 2012.

The awards are doled out by a panel automotive journalists, who also pick a best Concept Truck, Specialty Concept, and Most Significant Concept.

The i8 is part of BMW’s i sub-brand of green vehicles. The brand has been gestating since the hardtop i8 and i3 electric city car were unveiled as concepts at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

With the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder, and Acura NSX on the way, you’d think we’d be over hybrid supercars, but when the i8 finally makes the transition from concept car to production car, it should be just as impressive as its rivals.

The plug-in hybrid powertrain, called eDrive, consists of a 223 horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine and a 131 hp electric motor. Combined, BMW says they will get the i8 from 0 to 100 kph (0 to 62 mph) in 4.6 seconds, while returning 94 mpg on the European cycle.

The i8 features a lithium-ion battery pack that gives it an electric-only range of 19 miles, but doesn’t upset the car’s 50:50 weight distribution.

Encasing the high tech powertrain is the equally astonishing LifeDrive architecture. It consists of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic Life Module, which serves as a safety cage for the driver and passenger, and an aluminum Drive Module, which cradles the mechanical components.

The i8 is definitely worthy of an award, but we’ll still have to wait awhile to experience the more visceral side of its greatness.

The i8 Coupe will go on sale, at the earliest, in 2014, most likely as a 2015 model. The Roadster will follow it by at least a few months. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.