Just recently, BMW development boss Klaus Frohlich spoke with Australian publication Motoring and spoke about his desire to develop a supercar. Just that notion alone is sure to excite a fanbase that’s been begging for a BMW supercar for decades now. In the talk with Motoring, Frohlich claimed that his desired supercar would be similar to the BMW i8 and would, indeed, be a hybrid. But should it?
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There are two camps in this argument. One camp says that BMW should be on the cutting edge of technology and use either a hybrid or maybe even a pure EV for its potential supercar. It already has the blueprint for such a thing, in the i8, just with more power and less weight. Frohlich even spoke about how BMW has the chassis for a supercar in the i8. So it makes sense.
Plus, there have been many enthusiasts and pundits alike to slam BMW for not pushing electrification enough. In fact, we recently spoke to someone close with BMW who was genuinely annoyed at BMW’s reluctance to adapt electrification as much as some of its rival brands like Tesla, GM, Jaguar or now even Audi. So something that would essentially be a more powerful, lightweight BMW i8 would actually be a very cool supercar. But BMW also has an opportunity to do something interesting.
We all know that the internal combustion engine is a dying breed. ICE will make way for EVs almost entirely within the next few decades. So BMW has the chance to give the internal combustion engine, a technology the Bavarians have celebrated with magnificent engines for one hundred years, one last hurrah.
So imagine something based on the BMW i8 chassis but with a purely ICE powertrain. BMW could stuff its new B58 engine behind the driver, if it’s possible to use a longitudinal I6 in that chassis, and make something truly special. Imagine something with BMW i8 looks and a proper motorsport exhaust? A mid-engine, I6-powered BMW again, like the original BMW M1? It would give the M1 a proper successor and give the internal combustion engine a swan song before the brand turns almost entirely over to electrification.
The real answer is that, yes, BMW should make its supercar a hybrid, if it ever actually makes one. It just makes more business sense and it pushes toward the future, which would help cement the brand as a pillar of the EV community. However, it would be incredible to see a mid-engine supercar from BMW with a proper motorsport engine. Screw smart business sense, we want that.
Not arsed, just make one that looks like the red one up top.
That’s the M1 Hommage.
I’d be for both solutions. M10 as hybrid and M1 with internal combustion engine. Bmw needs an entire super sports car family, just like Ferrari and McLaren did. I’ve seen better rendering than the red one above. Check out Bmw M10 rendering from Autobild.
That’s not a rendering, it’s the M1 Hommage.
You are right.
Make it anyway they want, just don’t make it butt ugly.
Its a no brainer, really !!
I would personally prefer it to be i8 based than the 8 series based.
Lol, I agree with all previous responses.
However, BMW, of all brands, should realize by now, that you don’t need a business case for absolutely everything. That’s why we got the Z8 and the original M1 for crying out loud.
Having said that, if BMW does this/these car/cars well – and there is no reason to think they can’t pull it off, there will be a market. Look at McLaren. There’s your answer BMW.
I bet McLaren would give anything to have the backing of a ton of sedans and SAVs as financial backing.
Spot on. There’s so much it’ll do for the brand (value, equity, visibility etc) that can’t exactly be quantified on balance sheets. Besides, I think it’ll sell enough (for its segment) to be considered an overall success.
From what i heard about BMW management board, its very difficult to make them agree if the business case is not robust and failure proof. If the Toyota wouldn’t have agreed on joint development (Terming it as BMW led development would be more apt) of platform that gave us latest Z4/Supra, then, i think, we wouldn’t have even seen this generation at all.
It was recently reported McLaren are not expanding their model line-up, they claim to have no interest in a SUV.
Imagine a BMW supercar with a TT V8 from, let’s say an M8, combined with an electric motor. I’m really like hybrid supercars/hypercars, like McLaren P1 and Porsche 918. It’s a no brainer for BMW, they absolutely should make it!
Industry’s moving toward electrification/electric powertrains (due to regulations) and since supercar would be BMW’s halo car, its advanced tech/engineering/innovations should trickle down to lineup of other cars, so a powerful hybrid engine supercar makes a bit more sense right now.
None of us are chief decision maker at BMW but if they asked me, my answer is;
– Base version: new 4 or 6 cyl + electric motor
– M Performance version: 6 or 8 cyl + electric motor
– M Division version: 8 cylinder + electric motor
They can keep possibility of full electric version open just in case (of regulation or Tesla Roadster, Fisker, Rimac threats)
The car will sell loads, there’ll be previous buyers of R8, AMG GT, 911, Aston etc who would cross over to buy because they want something different and that BMW/M experience.
The car has to be made.
A “base version” of a supercar? I think not, one or possibly two powertrains is enough.
Actually I consider the i8 a supercar already, it’s just a bit low on power :)
Maybe you should think about it again. Example, AMG GT (base version), then variants: AMG GT S, AMG GT C, AMG GT R. And there’s AMG GT Roadster version for each of those variants. You could say the same about 911 and its variants. Think on it.
Isn’t that his point? 8 Series is an entire range of new models, drivetrains & bodystyles, that will meet or exceed the models you name. And since those models exist only because Daimler bought a tuner from former employees while Porsche electronically nannies a layout other manufacturers abandoned a century ago. People seem to be suckers for marketing & hype on this page. Why don’t we just wait on the Tesla Roadster or next Bugatti? Which we’ll also never actually see on the street. Maybe in Jay Leno’s garage.
I see your point but 8 series won’t be forefront of future tech/engineering from BMW.
My point is a BMW supercar would be forefront of tech/engineering, therefore new electrified/hybrid engines that’ll trickle down to “lower” models eventually.
His “point” was supercar shouldn’t have base version. Gave him examples of supercars with base/standard versions and more powerful variants. Straightforward, no?
You can forget about 911 mention. ‘Was actually another example of supercar with base/standard version and more powerful variants and not about Porsche’s dated tech or marketing hype.
So why is i8 not a “supercar”? Its hybrid is the basis for multiple volume drivetrains, it’s a total technology, design & manufacture showcase, unique in the marketplace.
Absolutely, i8 IS a supercar, just not powerful enough. One reason few buyers in that segment shy away. Blame its 3 cylinder engine. Frohlich, BMW’s man, says feedback from current owners is for more power/performance so next gen i8 will have 4 or 6 cyl to replace 3 cyl. Like you said, it’s design, tech showcase, uniqueness is unrivalled.
BMW will have to hybridise/electrify their engines to stay on side with regulations, just like other manufacturers. Might be an idea to debut electrified 4, 6, 8 series in the supercar and its variants.
Haven’t they said M is going electric? So assume your last sentence is true. Haven’t driven i8, but it was on Motor Trend’s list of 10 fastest cars on debut, some tests have 0-60<4 secs., so have never understood how it's lacking. Just saw a V12 Lamborghini idling @ a red light on our main drag, personally would much sooner be EV cruising in the i8. If I could afford it. Or get into it.
Unfortunately next M3 is not electric. At least in the beginning
What’s that supposed to mean they’ll switch it to all electric, I heard rumors it’s gonna be a hybrid. Wouldn’t be surprised since the next generation c63 is gonna be
And just as current C63 is V8, nothing to do with BMW, they ended their V8 M3 a generation ago.
I’m not saying that they’re gonna do it because Mercedes is but it’s likely gonna be a hybrid
Great! Get back to me when it’s reality. If & when.
0-60<4 secs is fantastic but some folks ramble they can get similar time from M4 (half the price) etc. Nutshell, i8’s supercar looks/lightweight chassis give it a <3 secs 0-60 appearance and some folks reckon more power could lend in that direction.
i have a good feeling theres a supercar coming now :)
These comments make me think people don’t actually read this blog. BMW have already issued an earnings warning based on R&D & capital costs as they pursue BEV, ride sharing, autonomy, expand existing factories and build new ones (in countries typists don’t approve of). They face huge challenges on diesel & emissions standards, while pursuing their announced 50% increase in volume. And people demand a small volume vehicle that has no corporate precedent. I wonder if i8 would have received the respect it merits if they had marketed it as 21st century M1, which it what it is, actually utilizing new technology. Instead of pursuing Porsche’s archaic model or other defunct ICE fossils which will soon be outlawed. Mercedes have contracted their “supercar” to the U.K., Aston’s current owners buy engines from a previously independent corporate tuner while hyping vehicles we’ll never see on the road, McLaren had to go to BMW to produce F1. i8 has been on sale for years, I see them in my neighbourhood. Meanwhile not a single Porsche/Ferrari/McLaren hybrid. 8er races @ Lemans. Super enough for me.
Industry is at crossroads. New regulations. All manufacturers are having to spend more, not just BMW. Threat of new entrants seizing market share in every segment is real. BMW in particular is more at risk than Mercedes or Audi who can find synergies and cost-cutting within their respective very large corporate Groups.
8er’s a superb sportscar but no one is going to see/accept it as a supercar because it isn’t. Some even refuse to dissociate 8er from 6er which was a full-bred Grand Tourer.
Next gen i8 has every potential to be exactly what a BMW supercar should be, and without adding so much cost. Can’t see the big deal in swapping a 3 cylinder for a 4 or 6 cylinder.
Hybrid makes perfect sense, since BMW is more concerned about the current limitation of Electric vehicles, which are charging time, and weight of the battery. If you want power, you either have to go gigantic battery which means the vehicle will be very heavy, and you have to wait for a while to charge, or you go light with smaller battery, linking up with ICE. The hybrid approach is perfect, because they can lower the displacement of ICE, yet performance maintains due to two propulsion systems operating together, so its more cleaner, and it can help to charge the battery when its running low, perfect if you want to take a long trip, plus its going to be 4wd anyway. Whats not to like?
Its quite surprising, plenty of comments here. I think BMW most likely will do this. Based on current limitation, even if battery has plenty of punch, the weight is a big no no, so BMW will just expanded on the i8, whether as a M version, or a complete redone is not a big issue, its bascially in the same direction, but they have to make sure they will need to redefine a newer definition of the supercar first, since M5 will embarrass plenty of 2 seater rockets nowadays, they need to up the performance benchmark, meaning accelaration needs to hit 60 in less than 2 secs, with insane top speed, plus super sharp handling.
I think they will probably build one based on insane performance. I believe they will do it like this, the current ICE B38, 3 cylinder turbo is already a M spec, based on 152 hp/litre & 157 lb/ft/litre metrics. Those either can be bump, or they can add displacement, and I believe they will add a little bit of displacement by keeping the ICE in M Spec, probably up to 160 hp/litre as well as 160lb/ft of twist per litre, & that will equate to 288 hp & 288 lb/ft of twist.
Then assume future battery tech will improve by 25% in the same footprint. That means the newer one can output 161 horses & 230 lb/ft of twist, then you add them all up, horsepower will be up from 357 to 449 & as for twisting power, lb/ft of torque will increase from 420 to 518. Now that is a huge boost.
In order to ensure the car can operate in EV mode efficiently, once the ICE is off, power will be adjusted back to 129 horses & 184 lb/ft of twist, so leaving room for the battery, not to be fully utilized, & this time, it can limp around maybe 40 km+, without having to rely too much on those low rolling resistance narrow tyres, they can now up the size as well as giving this beast a proper tyre (Pilot Sport 4S).
In addition, in standard mode, the ICE can also operate with cylinder deactivation, if its not needed. BMW also can add a 7 Speed dual clutch to further improve the performance, & this will be inline with super-performance without cumbersome weight. The emission will also remain low, plus its 4wd.
Obviously, they can up the engine up to higher power per litre metrics, but that depends on how much punch they need to smoke the fastest of the supercars, if they choose to pursue that route, we already knew what that will be in BMW terms, its Competition Pack, and that will be super fun, and its 100% doable.