[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Next Gen Full Electric BMW i8 May Feature 750 HP

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The BMW i8 is still due a facelift next year, but the rumor mill for the second generation i8 is already churning.

We previously reported that the next gen i8 should be going fully electric. Now, Automobile has put a potential power figure on the full electric drivetrain -- 750 HP (compared to the current 357 HP). Three electric motors will combine to output this figure and a far more substantial battery will be good for 300 miles per charge. Power will be sent to all four wheels.

The report also claims that the next gen i8 will feature rear wheel steering, torque vectoring, and a prescient active suspension which will constantly adjust and preset the suspension based on a scan of the road ahead.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Yes very, very exciting indeed. This will equal sub hyper car performance.

The first i8 was like the ship that sailed the entire ocean and proved the world isn't flat. The second one will be like the space ship that took us to the moon, and proved that the sky is not the limit. That we can go much, much further.

Don't you just love innovation, technology and pushing the boundaries of what is believed to be possible? I tell you kids growing up today are growing up in an incredible age.

[Arobotbrain]

Originally Posted by PhoenixWolf

Yes very, very exciting indeed. This will equal sub hyper car performance.

The first i8 was like the ship that sailed the entire ocean and proved the world isn't flat. The second one will be like the space ship that took us to the moon, and proved that the sky is not the limit. That we can go much, much further.

Don't you just love innovation, technology and pushing the boundaries of what is believed to be possible? I tell you kids growing up today are growing up in an incredible age.

Nicely said!

[Nivarox]

That's great news as for range almost up to 500 kilometers it's verily good but according to what conditions ? I doubt batteries would last that long when going flat out all the way or when you drive in congested heavy city traffic .
You know there is always a difference between what manufacturers say and what you get at the end of certain period of driving time .They have it according to ideal driving conditions .
It is still fine for good road trips given that you would drive mostly in empty roads

[MartinDower]

300 miles of range equates to about 600kgs of batteries which presents an impossible packaging challenge without a massive redesign, I.e not a facelift. Besides, the i8 has never chased big BHP numbers as its torque figure is in the sweet spot.

I'd guess a 100% increase in range and around 400bhp is more realistic in an updated hybrid with some autonomous capability.

[clbmw]

If it's true then fantastic and I would be very excited to see it.

But at this stage it's just speculation and thus far anything past a souped up M version of a standard car has been no where near supercar performance, just one offs,concepts and cancelled projects and the i8 which is lovely but not in that league.

I hope it's true but I'll believe it when I see it

[Apollo_1092]

This will/would be amazing. Granted it'll only be payable in unobtanium. Maybe the wait period will be somewhat better. But in all seriousness if it's reasonable this car I think will change things.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Realistically, we can expect low 200's then. Great that this is happening, and it's fantastic BMW is making strides in their electric program, but we're still behind the 8 ball. Tesla/Porsche/Mercedes seem to be aiming higher than 300 miles.

[Longboarder]

750 hp would be fantastic! But hopefully it comes via the combination of a more powerful battery and internal combustion motor (same configuration as the current model only more powerful/efficient). Could rival the Porsche 918 from a performance perspective. Give it some more battery-only range like 40 miles and that would be a winner.

But that won't happen at the current price point. Current model right now is being heavily subsidized by BMW and their dealers (BMW increasing residual, decreasing money factor, adding incentives, and dealers taking losses).

Whatever the new model has in store, I have to imagine that it will look different - primarily the rear in order to improve driver visibility, get larger in order to have a trunk, change the monocoque and dihedral doors so the rest of the general public can actually get in and out of the car without fuss. The current version will retain the significant uniqueness in that regard however looks to be obsolete rather quickly just like any new tech.

[Powerslide]

This is truly some exciting and game-changing technology coming up - the day is coming when even hybrids will be obsolete - if there are some big breakthroughs in battery technology in the near future (not only in terms of range but also in terms of production costs and weight) then it's just a question of time until more "mainstream" performance cars like the M3/M4 are all electric with this same technology and at the same price point (adjusting for inflation) as today's M3/M4.

With the big range of e-drive options for the 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 series coming out now - I can totally see the next-gen M3/M4 as bring hybrid with a noticeable increase in performance capability over the current generation. With continued advancement in battery technology, I could see the M3/M4 going full electric by the late 2020's...

[Deluxx3]

This is great because now, IMO the i8 is all show and no go. So now it will be all show and all go

[goj]

This is wicked

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by PhoenixWolf

Yes very, very exciting indeed. This will equal sub hyper car performance.

The first i8 was like the ship that sailed the entire ocean and proved the world isn't flat. The second one will be like the space ship that took us to the moon, and proved that the sky is not the limit. That we can go much, much further.

Don't you just love innovation, technology and pushing the boundaries of what is believed to be possible? I tell you kids growing up today are growing up in an incredible age.

That was beautiful

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by Jason

Attachment 1475320The BMW i8 is still due a facelift next year, but the rumor mill for the second generation i8 is already churning.

We previously reported that the next gen i8 should be going fully electric. Now, Automobile has put a potential power figure on the full electric drivetrain -- 750 HP (compared to the current 357 HP). Three electric motors will combine to output this figure and a far more substantial battery will be good for 300 miles per charge. Power will be sent to all four wheels.

The report also claims that the next gen i8 will feature rear wheel steering, torque vectoring, and a prescient active suspension which will constantly adjust and preset the suspension based on a scan of the road ahead.

This is worth the $150k they are charging. Why BMW does this gen 1 BS is beyond me....

[N & M]

Originally Posted by PhoenixWolf

Yes very, very exciting indeed. This will equal sub hyper car performance.

The first i8 was like the ship that sailed the entire ocean and proved the world isn't flat. The second one will be like the space ship that took us to the moon, and proved that the sky is not the limit. That we can go much, much further.

Don't you just love innovation, technology and pushing the boundaries of what is believed to be possible? I tell you kids growing up today are growing up in an incredible age.

The car we have been waiting for. I have seen thier vision for the driver experience and if it sees production, it will be another revolution.

[Motorsportenterprise]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

750 hp would be fantastic! But hopefully it comes via the combination of a more powerful battery and internal combustion motor (same configuration as the current model only more powerful/efficient). Could rival the Porsche 918 from a performance perspective. Give it some more battery-only range like 40 miles and that would be a winner.

But that won't happen at the current price point. Current model right now is being heavily subsidized by BMW and their dealers (BMW increasing residual, decreasing money factor, adding incentives, and dealers taking losses).

Whatever the new model has in store, I have to imagine that it will look different - primarily the rear in order to improve driver visibility, get larger in order to have a trunk, change the monocoque and dihedral doors so the rest of the general public can actually get in and out of the car without fuss. The current version will retain the significant uniqueness in that regard however looks to be obsolete rather quickly just like any new tech.

The 918 is already many years old...and it's going to take a lot more than 750 hp to rival that level of performance not to mention what will be nearly a generation old car at that point. Plus adding the tech suggested will likely end up in a very heavy car given the i8 currently is not very light considering it doesn't have awd nor the battery power that will be required for nearly 2x the power. Porsche will be continuing to lead the way with the tech they are in the forefront of with the 918 in the Mission E. Plus there will soon be a new halo car which will only take what the 918 was to the next level.
I'm excited to see how the hybrid tech will continue on, particular in more regular cars...the 918 above and beyond all others has lead the way to what this tech will become and it's really something to behold as we move into the future with cars and performance.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by Motorsportenterprise

The 918 is already many years old...and it's going to take a lot more than 750 hp to rival that level of performance not to mention what will be nearly a generation old car at that point. Plus adding the tech suggested will likely end up in a very heavy car given the i8 currently is not very light considering it doesn't have awd nor the battery power that will be required for nearly 2x the power. Porsche will be continuing to lead the way with the tech they are in the forefront of with the 918 in the Mission E. Plus there will soon be a new halo car which will only take what the 918 was to the next level.
I'm excited to see how the hybrid tech will continue on, particular in more regular cars...the 918 above and beyond all others has lead the way to what this tech will become and it's really something to behold as we move into the future with cars and performance.

You are incorrect, the i8 is awd. In fact it uses the same tech as the $885k 918...so what if it's a gen behind? Both use a battery to drive the front wheels and an internal combustion engine to drive the rear. Both can drive 15-20 miles in electric only mode. The 918 weighs over 3,800 pounds so the i8 has 400 pounds to spare for heavier batteries/combustion engine.

For a car that leases cheaper than an m6 and some m4's, the i8 is a hell of a car right now.

[Murph335]

Ok NOW the i8 will make sense in the market. A hybrid is useless technology at this point in the game.


In Arizona electric cars are gold bc of the cloud plate.
100mi electric cars are irrelevant imo thats a golf cart with AC.

So now there are 3 options model S, model X, and a 2dr i8. I do believe the model 3 price point will be extremely disruptive to the premium car market.

For six figures how does the i8 perform vs a p90dL?
Or does it just come down to style pref?

[M3 Number 86]

What it should have been from the start!!

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by Murph335

Ok NOW the i8 will make sense in the market. A hybrid is useless technology at this point in the game.


In Arizona electric cars are gold bc of the cloud plate.
100mi electric cars are irrelevant imo thats a golf cart with AC.

So now there are 3 options model S, model X, and a 2dr i8. I do believe the model 3 price point will be extremely disruptive to the premium car market.

For six figures how does the i8 perform vs a p90dL?
Or does it just come down to style pref?

Agreed.

Pretty sure the p90 vs i8 would be ultra sports sedan vs sports car in terms of performance. More lateral grip more cornering faster in the twisties, perhaps slower in the straight line.

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by Murph335

Ok NOW the i8 will make sense in the market. A hybrid is useless technology at this point in the game.


In Arizona electric cars are gold bc of the cloud plate.
100mi electric cars are irrelevant imo thats a golf cart with AC.

So now there are 3 options model S, model X, and a 2dr i8. I do believe the model 3 price point will be extremely disruptive to the premium car market.

For six figures how does the i8 perform vs a p90dL?
Or does it just come down to style pref?

The 3 options are 2 4 door variants from tesla, one of which exists currently and 1 2 door hybrid? The i8 is not an electric vehicle, yet it offers a similar electric range as every other PHEV model from BMW and they're not mentioned in your post. That's apples to oranges in many ways. There's plenty of other electric vehicles on the road but no hybrids with the same tech offered in the i8. No car on the market offers anything anywhere near its price point, as longboarder made reference to.

[Daaaadadundun]

Seriously? You seriously think this is true? You do know we're talking about BMW right? The company that's effectively owned by bean counters who are there to please the shareholders. Seeing as the sales numbers are slumping and the i3 is waaay to expensive for what it is. I wouldn't be surprised they scrap the i8 all together. Maybe the whole i sub-brand is in doubt because I am not seeing any follow up on that part of the company.

Even if they continue with the i8 no way in hell are they going for 750 hp. More like 450 or something like that. Let's not forget it's not a company of revolution but evolution.

BMW should start getting it's act together. Mercedes is about to knock them of the top spot because of an exciting line up and the dominance in F1. What exciting stuff does BMW have? A M4 GTS...and hybrid sportscar that's compared to it's competition average at best....whoopdidoo. So how are they faring in motorsport? Nothing to write home about.

Seriously BMW take some risks once in a while. Stop being delutional in thinking the M4 is a true competitor for the 911 and make a true competitor. Stop thinking GT3 or DTM have the same marketing value as F1 or WEC. Take the risk you're about to lose out on the competition.