Photo: Auto Motor und Sport
In 2016 BMW will turn 100 and we’re expecting them to launch a special car to celebrate the occasion. However, up until now all we heard were rumors that sounded too good to be true. This time, Auto Motor und Sport takes it up a notch, claiming that an i9 hybrid sports car is actually going to be launched in less than 2 years.
According to them, the car will be an upgraded version of the i8 that is already taking the world by storm. So, how valid could this claim be? Well, let’s take a look at all the facts.
A while back, BMW registered all the nomenclatures from i1 to i9 for trademark purposes. They apparently wanted the i10 too but Hyundai beat them to it, registering the name for their small hatchback. Doesn’t really matter, there’s still plenty of room to play and the i9 sounds even better, in our oppinion.
While some hurried up and asked for an i8 with an S85 V10 5-liter engine, we knew that such a project wouldn’t be feasible. Sure, the lightweight construction of the car would help out while the high-revving engine with its razor sharp throttle response would make the i9 a supercar but the CO2 emission regulations make it just a dream.
Fitting it with a 3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine and one or two electric units would be a much better choice. We’d get the characteristic sound BMWs should have, the I6 architecture and more power than the current layout.
At the moment, the i8 has a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder unit making 231 HP and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque hooked up to a 131 HP and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) electric motor for a combined 362 HP and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. Double that and you’ll get a supercar that admittedly weighs more (possibly reaching 1,800 kilos) but has 700 HP. That would really be something.
It’s also quite possible to see the new B58 engine being used on the i9, if the rumors come to life. That’s the unit that will be replacing the N55 plants in the near future, with power outputs estimated between 300 and 400 HP. Of course, on the i9, a special version could be made, to have in excess of 450 HP.
So, all of the elements are here and the technology exists to bring the i9 to life. The question is, how many of these predictions will come true... Hopefully, all of them.
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