The German manufacturer, BMW, stunned the world in 2013 when they announced their i sub-brand, which would comprise hybrid and electric vehicles. Upon the release of the i8, customers went wild, and ever since, it has maintained its popularity and title extremely well.Since the initial release of the original i8, other editions have been produced, such as the BMW i8 Roadster. In comparison to the original, the i8 Roadster has fewer seats and yet is much more powerful. However, it has still proved to be successful among the fans. It's got a plethora of cool features, from its initial design to what's under the hood. But, which feature rules supreme?Ultimately, we think that the i8 Roadster's plug-in hybrid system is its best feature. We'll take a look at why this is, but first, a brief runthrough of the Roadster's origins.RELATED: 2018 BMW i8 Roadster Review — The Sporty Plug-In Hybrid

The BMW i8 Roadster Is Pretty Powerful

BMW i8 Roadster
Via: Wikipedia

BMW's i8 Roadster is a follow-on from the initial i8. The original was released by the German carmaker in 2013 before the Roadster was launched five years later as an upgraded and sportier version.

The i8 is a hybrid vehicle with a 1.5-liter Electric Engine, 3 Cylinder 12 Valve DOHC, whereas the Roadster features a 3-cylinder turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and 105kW electric motor. This explains how the Roadster was produced as a sportier vehicle, albeit both can hit the same top speed of 155 mph.

However, the i8 Roadster can boast much more horsepower by maxing out at 374, while it leaves the i8 Coupe behind at just 129 hp.

As opposed to the original four seats, BMW decided to construct the Roastser as a thoroughly sports-style ride, kitting it out with just two seats to replicate other close competitors such as Jaguar’s F-type SVR.

The Roadster's Best Feature Is Its Plug-in Hybrid System

BMW i8 Roadster
Via: Flickr

Every car that does well from big brands like BMW has to feature something that makes it stand out among the rest. For the BMW i8 Roadster, our favorite feature has to be its plug-in hybrid system. This system distinguishes it from its rivals, with the Roadster being much more user-friendly and convenient.

The plug-in nature of the i8 Roadster ensures that drivers can easily top up and are ready to go. Just like the i8 Coupe, the Roadster offers 27 mpg when using both gas and electricity. It can also be driven in pure EV mode if preferred, or simply run out of fuel, allowing it to travel an extra 18 miles. Thus, if you find yourself out of gas and not too far from a fuel station, then you will be safe and not vulnerable to breaking down in the middle of the highway.

Or, you could plug in and charge your way back to power. It typically takes around 2 hours for the motor to fully recharge. However, those two hours will be well spent as you can get an impressive 320 miles out of one charge.

The Roadster Is The Sportier Type

BMW i8 Roadster
Via: Wikimedia

There are not too many differences between the original i8 that hit the market in 2013 and the Roadster. However, if you're looking for a sportier car, the Roadster is the obvious answer.

The i8 Roadster attained the International Engine of the Year Award, albeit being 0.2 seconds slower than the Coupe when it comes to reaching 0 to 60 mph on the track. BMW's i8 Roadster isn't slow by any means as it can top 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, in comparison to the i8 Coupe's 4.2 second time.

Similar to the i8 Coupe, the Roadster is easy to handle and extremely capable of high speeds. It can max out at 155 mph, which is pretty quick. Yet, not quite as fast as some of its competitors like the Acura NSX. Nonetheless, you won't be driving at those speeds on the streets, so top speeds aren't all that important if you want this as your everyday car. It would certainly be an awesome daily driver, regardless, let's put it that way.

RELATED: This Is The Coolest Feature Of The BMW i8

The i8 Roadster Is Pretty Expensive

Rear View BMW i8 Roadster
Via: Wikimedia

If you're a fan of fast, sporty, and hybrid cars, the BMW i8 Roadster will likely be right up your street. It will set you back around $163,000, which is slightly more than the Coupe. Yet, that is what customers expected.

For those looking for a convenient sporty hybrid that they plug in on the go, then the price might be well worth it in your eyes.

In our opinion, the BMW i8 Roadster could be more of a win if it didn't exceed the original price tag of the Coupe. However, its plug-in feature might sway some heads for daily convenience and reliability. After all, it is our favorite feature.