The BMW i8 is a stylish, futuristic-looking plug-in
hybrid, but a new report is suggesting the second-generation model could go
fully electric. While the current car has a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder
internal combustion engine, an electric motor and an 11.6 kWh lithium-ion
battery pack, Autocar reports that BMW executives are leaning towards making the
its successor an all-electric.
Details are limited, but sources told the
publication the switch to an electric powertrain would provide a “tangible
link” to the company’s effort in Formula E. This is understandable and it would
likely help to serve as a halo model for the company’s upcoming slate of
electric vehicles.
If the Bavarian automaker eventually decides to make
it an EV, the next i8 should have an all-wheel drive system that is heavily
based on the one used in the iNext. The model is also slated to use all-new
electric motor developed in-house that offer “significantly higher rotational
speeds” than the current unit found in the i8. While BMW is working on
solid-state batteries, it appears the technology won’t be ready in time for the
i8’s expected launch in late 2023. Instead, the model will reportedly use a
lithium-ion battery pack.
However, nothing is set in stone and it’s possible
the next-generation i8 could continue to be a plug-in hybrid. There are
reportedly a number of advantages to this strategy ,as the car’s existing
platform could be upgraded economically and BMW could ramp up performance by
swapping out the existing three-cylinder engine for a more powerful four- or
six-cylinder unit. If BMW were to go that route, it’s possible the next i8
could have around 600 hp.
The decision on which powertrain to use could come
later this year, so we might learn more in the coming months.
