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This beauty is the 2019 BMW i8 Roadster. It was recently unveiled at the 2017 LA Auto Show in Los Angeles, California along with an update to the existing i8 coupe. BMW has chosen to equip the new generation of the i8 with an improved lithium-ion battery that will offer both increased electric range and a 12 horsepower bump in peak power. Starting in the 2019 model year, the electric motor will produce 141 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The existing turbocharged 1.5 liter engine from the previous iteration of the i8 will continue to be used in the 2019 version of both the coupe and the roadster. This turbocharged 1.5 liter inline three produces 228 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The combination of the electric motor and the i8's engine will bring total peak power output to 369 hp and total torque to 420 lb feet. Although not astronomical, those power and torque figures will be able to propel the updated coupe from 0-60 mph in an estimated 4.2 seconds, and the roadster will reach 60 mph in a slightly slower 4.4 seconds. Thanks to BMW's use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer and aluminum, the 2019 i8 Roadster will weigh 3,515 pounds. Its relatively lightweight construction should, in theory, make the i8 Roadster feel quite quick regardless of its shortcomings in raw power.

Now that the most important statistics, speed and power, are out of the way, we can get on to discussing other features of the new i8. A photo collection of the i8 will be included on this page so that you can take a look for yourself at how visually striking the car is. However, you won't be able to observe everything that BMW has done to make this car what it is. First, the soft top of the i8 Roadster will be able to open in only 16 seconds at any speed up to 31 mph. Additionally, when BMW removed the roof from the i8, they also removed the two rear seats. The coupe is a 2+2 format whereas the roadster is strictly a two-seater.

Is the 2019 BMW i8 Roadster worth buying?  

The answer to this question will differ person to person. According to BMW, the MSRP of the new i8 Roadster will be upwards of $150,000. For that type of money, the performance should be better. For instance, with the same money, you could buy a used McLaren MP4-12C, which would offer far superior performance. That said, if you are a true BMW enthusiast, who could blame you for spending the money to have their newest creation? It is visually a work of art. 

Photo Credits:

Motor Trend and BMW

Sources:

https://www.bmwusa.com/future-vehicles/i8-roadster.html

http://www.motortrend.com/news/2019-bmw-i8-roadster-updated-i8-coupe-debut-in-l-a/