Rumors have been spreading that next year, BMW would produce a more powerful and purposeful BMW i8 sports car. Lighter weight and more horsepower would be the attraction and more speed would be the result.
Now the Dutch publication Autovisie, reputed to be a generally reliable source, claims to have interviewed the head of BMW’s M division, Franciscus van Meel. According to the report, van Meel did confirm that the company is working on a 400 horsepower version of the BMW i8. Previous rumors had hinted at a total of 450 horsepower, which makes more sense, since the original i8 has 357 horsepower. Perhaps van Meel was just speaking in approximate terms.
You might think that the M division would lend a hand in building a higher-performing BMW sports car, but you’d be wrong. Van Meel said that BMW M would not have any role in developing the more powerful i8 because M didn’t have a part in the original i8’s development and that’s just how the company works.
Another detail gleaned from the interview was that the engine would not be a four-cylinder mill as the rumors had speculated. The same 1.5-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine on the current i8 would be the starting part for an engine that, when coupled with the electric motors, would produce 400 total horsepower—we’re thinking probably more—as compared to the current i8’s 357. That would be quite an accomplishment; but then, BMW does have a way with motors.
According to Autovisie, van Meel also disclosed that a Spyder version of the i8 is still under consideration, countering previous rumors that the project had been cancelled. It still could be, but BMW has not made the final decision yet. Remember back in 2012 when BMW revealed a BMW i8 Spyder concept car? Maybe the company figures that since they already have the blueprints, and BMW will need to crank out some special anniversary cars next year, why not a limited production i8 Spyder?
Yes, next year is BMW’s 100th anniversary. It has to do something special—maybe lots of things—to celebrate. If all they do is put 100th Anniversary plaques on a few limited-run models with special paint jobs, we shall certainly be disappointed. The BMW i8 has been the company’s premier showpiece for more than a year now. A high-end, higher-powered BMW i8 that could crack the four-second zero-to-60 mark could certainly serve as the center of attention at the anniversary celebrations.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
