(April 1, 2012) BMW has revealed pictures of its BMW i8 Concept Spyder, the third model in the automaker's expanding environmentally friendly i range, a two-place convertible with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that can power the front or rear wheels, or both. It will be shown at the New York Auto Show this week.

Slightly shorter than the 2+2 i8 Coupe, the Spyder has laser headlamps, a two-piece folding top, a pair of swing-up windowless doors and a transparent glass panel at the rear, under which are stowed two electric kickboards for the ultimate in personal mobility.



Overall length is six inches shorter (176.3 inches) and about an inch skinnier (75.6 inches) than the i8 coupe. At 50.3 inches in height, it's nearly 3 inches shorter, and the wheelbase is 6 inches shorter, at 104.3 inches. Greater structural rigidity adds about 300 pounds over the coupe's 3,200 pounds, which hurts fuel efficiency by the slightest of margins.

The eDrive-badged Spyder is amazingly fuel-frugal. The Coupe's rear-mounted 220-horse 1.5-liter TwinPower turbo three-cylinder gas engine cranks out 221 lb-ft of torque to the rear's rail-thin Bridgestone tires. A front-mounted 129-horsepower eDrive plug-in electric motor powers the 21-inch front wheels. The combo is capable of 0-62 mph sprints of about 5.0 seconds, and 78 mpg, BMW says.

The cockpit is trimmed in leather, carbon and plastic and bristles with advanced electronics, including 3D digital displays, smartphone synchronization, Internet connectivity, intelligent navigation and traffic guidance, and such camera-based systems as Collision Warning, Parking Assistant and Traffic Jam Assistant.

Sources: BMW, Inside Line, Motor Trend