Three years since it was first seen at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, a new production-ready BMW i8 Spyder Concept has been confirmed. It could debut at next month's CES 2016.
No less than BMW CEO Harald Krueger told German newspaper Handeslblatt (via Automotive News) a production-ready version of the i8 Spyder concept will debut "in the near future."
In 2013, officials said the i8 Spyder still had "major challenges" to address, according to Autocar.
"Those problems hinged around incorporating the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body shell construction of the i8 into a convertible format."
Per Automotive News, the BMW i8 Spyder Concept had removable top panels and a redesigned rear cowl and B-pillar though it retains the coupe's door hinges. It also shares the same bodywork with the coupe though some design elements reportedly had to be reworked to accommodate the convertible form.
A new concept is expected to debut at CES 2016 in Las Vegas next month. But being an electronics event rather than a car show, Auto Express thinks the i8 Spyder's in-car technology will be on the spotlight.
"Alongside improvements to the i8's connectivity and safety systems, some improvements to the powertrain and battery pack are expected to increase its electronic-only range above the 12 miles," BMW Blog said.
The website speculated the current i8's plug-in hybrid powertrain will be carried over though it might get an updated battery pack and perhaps a power increase.
Having a convertible model isn't the only i8 variant in the pipeline. Earlier this year, BMW expressed interest in producing a more performance-focused i8. Back in July, a hydrogen-powered i8 prototype was unveiled as well.
Along with the BMW i8 Spyder Concept, other automotive debuts at CES 2016 are Faraday Future's Tesla Model S rival. Audi's self-driving A8 concept may be previewed at the event as well.
