Unveiled: BMW I16 Supercar That Never Made It To Production

Key Highlights

• BMW had a potential successor to the iconic M1 supercar called the i16, which was under development.

• The i16 was envisioned as the successor to the BMW i8 electric sports car and was influenced by the 2019 Vision M Next concept.

• Despite being fully developed in less than 12 months, BMW scrapped the production plans for the i16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The BMW i8, which preceded the i16, was a plug-in hybrid sports car that showcased BMW's expertise in electric vehicle technology.

No direct successor to the BMW M1 has emerged, but it seems BMW was working on one known as the i16. However, plans for the supercar were eventually abandoned in favor of developing the XM hybrid SUV. A recent Instagram post by Domagoj Dukec, BMW's design chief, offered a rare preview of what the i16 might have looked like.

The BMW i16 was positioned as the successor to the i8 electric sports car and was derived from the 2019 Vision M Next concept car, garnering significant interest from BMW fans. Combining innovative design with traditional elements, the i16 sought to surpass the iconic M1. Despite being fully developed within a short timeframe of less than 12 months, production plans were shelved due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduced in 2014, the BMW i8 served as a flagship model in BMW's electric vehicle lineup until its discontinuation in 2020. Its departure paved the way for the development of new electric vehicles such as the i4, iX3, and iX. Throughout its production, the i8 achieved sales of 165 units, each priced at approximately USD 148,495 (equivalent to around AED 545,377.86).

The BMW i8 utilized a plug-in hybrid system comprising an electric motor and a 1.5-liter turbo petrol engine, resulting in a combined output of 356 bhp. This powertrain enabled the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.

Although the discontinuation of the BMW i16 production is regrettable, it's commendable that automakers are transparent about canceled projects by sharing photos and sketches rather than keeping them concealed.

Verdict

while the BMW i16 supercar never made it to production, its development and subsequent cancellation shed light on the evolving landscape of electric and hybrid vehicle technology. Despite the setback, BMW's transparency in sharing details about the i16 project demonstrates a commitment to innovation and openness within the automotive industry.

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