BMW takes the 2012 Concept Car of the Year Award with its i8 Concept Spyder. This award marks BMW’s fourth competition as a category finalist and the brand’s second visit to the awards podium at the eleventh annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards announced today. The Concept Car category recognizes those vehicles where passenger carrying is the primary intent.

The awards recognize those vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry. This year, more than two dozen jurors participated in a … CONTINUED

At today’s SMMT 2012 International Automotive Summit at Canary Wharf, London, Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW, announced that the new generation of high-tech, 3-cylinder petrol engines for the future BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will be produced exclusively at the BMW engine plant at Hams Hall, near Birmingham.

Ian Robertson said: “Our Hams Hall engine plant, which last week celebrated production of the three-millionth engine since the plant was opened in February 2001, will make an … CONTINUED

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder is celebrating its world premiere at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing (23 April – 2 May 2012) and the rear-end of the car clearly bears the eDrive emblem for the new technology. In future, the designation eDrive will identify the drive technology for all electric and plug-in hybrid cars from BMW i.

BMW eDrive comprises the components of the electric drivetrain: the electric motor developed in-house by BMW, the lithium-ion battery, and finally the intelligent motor management system. This technology ensures … CONTINUED

We’ve shown you photos of the BMW i8 Spyder Concept, now see it in motion in its first videos. Inside you’ll find footage of the i8 in driving action as well as exterior and interior design clips.

The just unveiled BMW i8 Concept Spyder naturally calls for a comparison to its open-air sibling. It’s an interesting comparison for several reasons. Seeing both concepts shows the differences between both cars/concepts but also shows some progress BMW has made in the development of the Concept i8. At first sight, the i8 Spyder looks even more focused and ‘mean’ than the i8 Coupe. Part of the reason for this is that the i8 Spyder is 15 cm or 6 inches shorter than the i8 Coupe (see … CONTINUED

Introducing the BMW i8 Spyder hybrid sports car concept! The BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is an open-top two-seater embodying a form of personal mobility with equal sporting and emotional appeal.

Under the banner of its sub-brand BMW i, the BMW Group is developing a range of purpose-built vehicle concepts and complementary mobility services which meet the changing needs of customers and redefine the understanding of personal mobility. As well as adopting intelligent technologies and innovative design, BMW i is pursuing an all-embracing approach defined … CONTINUED

The BMW i8 Spyder Concept has been leaked ahead of the official release which will come very soon and ahead of its premiere at Auto China 2012 in Beijing next month.

Check back soon for more photos and details on the i8 Spyder Concept!