BMW i8

First official pictures of the BMW i8 Spyder concept have been released, ahead of the car's debut at the Beijing Motor Show later this month. 

Like the i8 coupe, the Spyder is a plug-in hybrid using a 1.5-litre petrol engine with 220bhp to power the rear wheels and a 129bhp electric motor to drive the fronts. Expect to see a 0-62mph time of around five seconds. 

Aside from the lack of a roof, the i8 Spyder does boast a few visual differences to the coupe concept, including solid metal doors and roll-over hoops. 

There are a few technical changes too, such as a shorter wheelbase and overall length than the coupe. The hard top's back seats have also been ditched. 

The LifeDrive construction – which consists of a carbon fibre body and mainly aluminium chassis – ensures weight is kept to around 1,600kgs, despite the heavy batteries on board. 

When it makes production in 2014, BMW claims the i8 Spyder will return fuel economy of 94mpg and will be able to travel for around 17 miles on electric power alone. Expect it to have a price tag of around RM450,000 (£90,000).