What good is a hybrid if you can't enjoy the air you're keeping clean? That's the question that has prompted Tesla to build the Roadster, Fisker to toy with the Karma Sunset concept and Porsche to develop the 918 Spyder. Unfortunately the bulk of the hybrids on the market are sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs, but the world is about to get one more hybrid convertible. The car in question is the BMW i8 Spyder, a vehicle which was released in concept form back in March but which is now expected to make its production debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The i8 Spyder will join BMW's i sub-brand as the third vehicle, alongside the BMW i3 hatchback and i8 coupe with which it will likely share its salient details. That means a 223-horsepower 1.5-liter three driving the rear wheels and a 170-horsepower electric motor up front. Of course all that running gear, coupled with the bracing and mechanism of a folding roof, will make for a rather heavy sportscar, but with a five-second 0-60 time, a low gas bill and the wind in your hair, we doubt many drivers will care how much it weighs.