BMW i8s With Even More Performance a Possibility
BMW admits there’s customer demand for a more powerful version of its i8 sports car.
Recently updated for the 2019 model year, the BMW i8 Coupe currently offers 369 horsepower and a zero-to-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds, so additional performance could get it into supercar territory with a 60-mph sprint of less than four seconds. The German automaker introduced the BMW i3s last year, that has a modest increase of 14 horsepower and 15 pound-feet of torque over the standard i3. If the BMW i8s does become a reality, expect the gains to be more noticeable.
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For now, the BMW i8s is still under consideration, according to head of BMW i Product Management, Alexander Kotouc. Speaking to Auto Express at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, he said “I can tell you at this point we are still evaluating it; the i8 is the iconic sports car of the new era.” But for it to happen, it has to make sense for the brand. “You could put a V12 in there and it would be incredibly powerful but would it still be a BMW i car? We need to find the perfect balance,” he added.
Kotous also said the existing powertrain could be changed to develop more power, but the i8 could also use a completely different engine if necessary. Now BMW has us wondering what it would be like to have a V12-powered i8.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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