BLOG 2018

BMW I8 ROADSTER CAR PHOTOGRAPHY

04/07/2018
Barrett's BMW kindly loaned me the i8 Roadster for a photo shoot at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, the modern building always works well with cars in front of it and the paintwork, sunshine and additional Profoto lighting made the car stand out even more.

Their have been a few updates in the Roadster, in the powertrain is an increase in output from the front-mounted electric motor. The unit, which was produced in-house, now delivers 12bhp more than it did in the earlier i8 Coupé at 141bhp. This is delivered along with the same 184lb ft as before, through a two-speed gearbox to the front wheels.

Combined with the unchanged 228bhp delivered by the turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine mounted transversely up back in a mid-rear position, this provides the roadster with an overall 374bhp and al maximum torque loading of 420lb ft, The car will go from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds with a limited top speed of 155mph, although having so much instant torque delivery it always feels faster to me.

I have driven the i8 on models on a few occasions now and its always a special feeling, especially when on start up their is no engine note from the car, it just glides along silently in stealth mode. The car starts from £124,735 and gives a new lease of life to BMW's top end sports car, for me it is also a super car, maybe not on par with the Ferrari or McLaren's of this world but for pure style and presence it ticks every box. For the car photography at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury I used the Profoto B1 and B2 lights, between them 500 and 250 watts of power available, this was paired down as the sunshine added to the overall images nicely.

The BMW i8 Roadster is now available to view and test drive at Barretts BMW now, call the team on 01227 828888