Photo: autovisie
Rumors about a possible M version of the i8 have been going around the internet for quite a while now. It’s quite understandable too, with the hybrid looking so good and futuristic and the BMW crowd aching for a new supercar. However, officials always denied such a rumor and they're sticking to their story.
In a recent interview for Dutch publication autovisie, Carsten Pries, Head of Product Management M GmbH and Friedrich Nitschke, CEO of the same division both denied that a possible i8 M could be in the works.
A couple of obvious reasons make such a car only a fool’s dream. First of all, the investment that went into building the i sub-brand from the ground up was extensive. Over 2 billion euros went into development and research, in order to make Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic and other lightweight materials, cheaper to built and easier to use. That entire investment has to be turned into profits.
Making a super exclusive supercar using that technology is welcome and a great prospect but in term of profitability, it won’t work on the long run. Therefore, BMW will try to use CFRP and other i-tech in every possible car they have, from the 1 Series to the X7. We’re already seeing such future models in the shape of all eDrive concepts, starting with the X5 version.
Furthermore, the two are completely different divisions. The M division had absolutely nothing to do with the i8 while the i sub-brand is aiming at efficient driving and not supercar figures, while also keeping you entertained.
Developing a supercar around a V12, V10, V8 or V6 engine that does 10 mpg is easy. Getting similar numbers using a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder unit while also returning 112 mpg (2.1 l/100 km) is a completely different story and not everyone can do it.
Of course, a collaboration between the two divisions is possible. BMW already announced that it will be using i8 technology on all future cars and we’re already seeing that come to life in the 2015 M3 and M4. The first ‘post-i’ M cars have CFRP roofs, propshafts, bootlids (only the M4) and other weight saving features developed for the i sub brand.
In the future, other M cars will take more and more of this tech on board. The upcoming M5 will shed around 200 lbs (90 kg) thanks to it and so will the G11/G12 7 Series that is going to be the first flagship from BMW that will weigh less than its predecessor.
As for a possible M8, if it doesn’t come on BMW’s 100th anniversary, it probably won’t come at all. 2016 is the year to look for and we’re hoping to see a new supercar from the Bavarians, one that would fill the shoes left empty by the M1 in 1981.
A couple of obvious reasons make such a car only a fool’s dream. First of all, the investment that went into building the i sub-brand from the ground up was extensive. Over 2 billion euros went into development and research, in order to make Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic and other lightweight materials, cheaper to built and easier to use. That entire investment has to be turned into profits.
Making a super exclusive supercar using that technology is welcome and a great prospect but in term of profitability, it won’t work on the long run. Therefore, BMW will try to use CFRP and other i-tech in every possible car they have, from the 1 Series to the X7. We’re already seeing such future models in the shape of all eDrive concepts, starting with the X5 version.
Furthermore, the two are completely different divisions. The M division had absolutely nothing to do with the i8 while the i sub-brand is aiming at efficient driving and not supercar figures, while also keeping you entertained.
Developing a supercar around a V12, V10, V8 or V6 engine that does 10 mpg is easy. Getting similar numbers using a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder unit while also returning 112 mpg (2.1 l/100 km) is a completely different story and not everyone can do it.
Of course, a collaboration between the two divisions is possible. BMW already announced that it will be using i8 technology on all future cars and we’re already seeing that come to life in the 2015 M3 and M4. The first ‘post-i’ M cars have CFRP roofs, propshafts, bootlids (only the M4) and other weight saving features developed for the i sub brand.
In the future, other M cars will take more and more of this tech on board. The upcoming M5 will shed around 200 lbs (90 kg) thanks to it and so will the G11/G12 7 Series that is going to be the first flagship from BMW that will weigh less than its predecessor.
As for a possible M8, if it doesn’t come on BMW’s 100th anniversary, it probably won’t come at all. 2016 is the year to look for and we’re hoping to see a new supercar from the Bavarians, one that would fill the shoes left empty by the M1 in 1981.
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