The BMW i8 still has a design that puts newer cars to shame these days. Launched nearly in identical shape to the Concept that preceded it, the BMW i8 feels just as fresh today as it did when it arrived in full production clothing. If there’s one thing you can say doesn’t really fit in the picture, it’s the wheels. A car looking this good should have a wider set of wheels, just to complete the package.
However, the idea behind the i8 was to offer a car that was both fun to drive and eco-friendly. Thus, a couple of compromises had to be made, to convey that idea to the onlookers. The skinny wheels help out when it comes to fuel consumption and, therefore, were a necessity. Another necessity was the 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine. Albeit making more power than a lot bigger engines, the B38 unit was frowned upon by enthusiasts who were hoping for a supercar.
That’s how fantasies about a V8-powered i8 started going around on the Internet. Admittedly, I’d also love to see such a car enter production in Garching or Munich, but that would defeat the idea behind the i8. The video below, however, shows how such a contraption could sound and look like. The footage was captured at the Zolder and Spa Francorchamps tracks and shows a car using a BMW i8 shell with a proper racing body and engine underneath.
According to the video description, the car uses an S65 engine. That’s the 4-liter V8 from the E92 M3 but tuned to make 540 HP in this application. The car also weighs just 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs) which is to be expected from a racing model. Thus, considering the specs, this should be a pretty fast car. In case you ever wondered how a V8-powered i8 would look like, this is it.
Shell over space frame means more weight for less torsional rigidity.
This is such a tease. Since it’s not based on the i12 chassis it’s not really an i8.
BMW could conceivably reinvigorate confidence in the spirit of the brand if they get serious about a product that addresses what the halo market segment actually wants (e.g. i12 chassis w/proper suspension tech, electric front drivetrain mated to a mid-mounted S58).
All of this can be achieved by nothing more than proper executive vision overseeing a raid on the parts bin. Yet, after years of blundering about, they’re still mulling over irrelevant niche products like the Gran Turismo hunchback.
BMW can’t just focus on making cars that are from our dreams. Although I would love to see them make a 700 hp i8, which I believe is directly in their capability, they have to focus on what keeps them a company, for example, cars that actually sell.
You may get your wish with Vision M Next Concept.
Then why produce the i8 at all? They spent all those development resources to put the i8 into production but CHOSE to make the performance anemic for what purpose? To prove that it’s not what shoppers want in a $150K sports car?
I get that the mainline series production vehicles and SAVs/Crossovers are the primary revenue streams for the company but my point is that it wouldn’t have impacted the cost of the i8 much by putting in even a B48B20 tuned to 303hp/332lb-ft (M135i, X2M35i), dialing the suspension for better dynamic handling and putting forged lightweight wheels that actually support decent Michelin Pilot performance tires.
It’s readily apparent that BMW has the capability, but oddly enough, chose to go to market with poorly executed product specs.
Since when is 0-60≤4 secs. “anemic”? i8 is a tech., design, engineering showcase for what BMW can do, not to mimic what everyone else has already done. Just as M1 was sole I6 mid-engine. And @ a fraction of the cost of Ferrari/Porsche/McLaren hybrids.
M8, M8 GC, M3, M4, M2 CS, M760Li, M5.
BMW got the best possible technology to make the ultimate sports car . MxDrive + V8 from M5/M8 Competition+ electrical drive from i8 + carbon structure from i8 which. It’s got everything it needs to make an absolute monster car . Why it doesn’t is the question to me. I bet they will sell at least as much as audi and mercedes .They both have enough resources to do so but does the bmw have enough. It doesn’t have backup like Audi has with golf,up, fox, polo, and other of their cheaper cars . Mercedes produces heavy trucks, millitarry machines and other stuff too. BMW is relied only to expensive premium vehicles , and the margin is very slim. This is the reason they stay away from that idea I believe.
Production numbers, really. The margins in profit are high in upper end cars.