The i8 Concept Spyder is an extremely sporty open-top two-seater with a 131-hp electric motor on the front axle and a three-cylinder 223-hp gas engine.

BMW has introduced a third model in its line of i concept cars. The i8 Concept Spyder is an extremely sporty open-top two-seater with a 131-hp electric motor on the front axle and a three-cylinder 223-hp gas engine powering the rear wheels.

Both power units were developed by the BMW Group in-house, and use the company’s modular LifeDrive architecture to maximize both performance and fuel economy.

Most of the drive train is aluminum, and the passenger compartment is made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. The battery is housed in a tunnel between the front and rear axles, giving the Spyder an especially low center of gravity.

Intelligent control electronics choose the optimum combination of gas and electric power for the current driving situation. With both motors powering all four wheels, the Concept Spyder delivers 354 hp of power and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from zero to sixty in under five seconds, and has an electronically-governed top speed of 155 mph. The all-electric range is up to 19 miles.

Image: BMW