BMW News: Rumorpile: BMW Planning A Full Electric i8

[William Maley]

The current BMW i8 uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain to produce a total output of 357 horsepower. But the future version of the i8 could switch to a full EV powertrain.

 

Sources tell Autocar that German automaker would swap the turbocharged three-cylinder in the rear for two electric motors. Each electric motor (there would be three including one up front) is said to produce up to 268 horsepower.

 

With the addition of two electric motors, BMW will add a larger battery. To allow for this, the i8's carbon fiber structure would be modified. BMW already has some ideas as to how to do this as they did an i8 hydrogen prototype where they had to modify the structure to allow hydrogen tanks. Despite the larger battery, sources say going the electric route would allow the vehicle to keep the same weight as the current model - 3,274 pounds.

 

Source: Autocar

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[David]

This is interesting but based on just this info alone will be a failure for BMW. If they cannot deliver on a powertrain solution equal to or better than Tesla, their 6 figure price is not worth it for this auto with only 268HP and no idea on the torque.

[Suaviloquent]

They went ham on carbon fibre and gesture control, instead of EV's and real design.

 

Though I do say, the i8 is sexy, all it needs is their 4.4TT V8.

[balthazar]

i8 is a failure, changing it over to a full electric can only torpedo sales even further.

[Guest Howie]

This is interesting but based on just this info alone will be a failure for BMW. If they cannot deliver on a powertrain solution equal to or better than Tesla, their 6 figure price is not worth it for this auto with only 268HP and no idea on the torque.

That's 268HP x 3 = 804HP (vs 762 for P90D).

[Suaviloquent]

In terms of global sales though, the i8 sells quite a lot. They sold like 5000 of these in 2015. Not a lot...but then again each is $130,000+...for a tin can ricer engine and a battery pack powertrain. Sure CF is expensive...but I think the i8 is less of a money loser than the ELR.