cars news 10: Spied! BMW i8 Spyder Goes Winter Testing in Sweden

Just because it’s a convertible doesn’t mean it’s exempt from winter testing. Our spy photographers recently caught the BMW i8 Spyder playing in the snow, obviously with the top up.

The convertible was seen in Sweden with a sharp set of wheels. This prototype has a very short removable top that slopes off sharply into a long rear end. It’s unclear if the doors of the convertible open upward like those of the coupe, as whoever was inside the vehicle didn’t exit when these pictures were taken.

We’ve been waiting for an i8 convertible for a good long time, and rumors have indicated that it was delayed because of engineering setbacks. One of these challenges could have been adding rigidity to the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body shell.

This year, the BMW i8 is expected to receive a facelift with small design changes. But considering all the camouflage in these pictures, it’s hard to see any updates on this prototype. The i8 is also said to receive an improved 10-kW-hr battery pack to increase all-electric range beyond the car’s current 15 miles. Power could jump to 372 hp, according to some reports. Right now, the BMW i8 comes equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo-three and two electric motors for a combined output of 357 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.

BMW confirmed late last year that the i8 Spyder will arrive in 2018.

Photo Source: CarPix