BMW has officially revealed a long-awaited soft-top variant of its i8 hybrid supercar, which joins an upgraded version of the standard Coupe. Both cars benefit from gentle visual and mechanical upgrades, including an improved plug-in drivetrain with a bigger EV range and higher system power outputs too.

We’ve already seen teased images of the Roadster, but this is the first time we’ve had any official details about the new package. For starters, the thanks to the i8’s light, strong and rigid carbonfibre tub construction the soft top i8 is only 60kg heavier than the Coupe at 1595kg. BMW has also been able to retain the Coupe’s distinctive dihedral doors for the Roadster, designing new frameless units made from carbonfibre and overlaid with an aluminium skin.

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> Click here for our review of the current BMW i8

The Roadster’s folding roof is a compact fabric unit, slipping underneath a new interpretation of the i8 Coupe’s floating rear buttresses when stowed. Other aesthetic changes include two new colour options, laser headlights and redesigned 20-inch alloy wheels. Also included is new technology such as BMW’s controversial ‘display key’ as well as the latest iDrive infotainment system. All of these updates, apart from the fabric roof, will also feature on the Coupe