BMW will celebrate a century of doing business next year, and to mark the triple-digit milestone, the automaker is rumored to be working on a beefed-up version of its i8 hybrid sports car. It’s believed the new i8 will bring with it more power, a quicker 0-to-60 time, a more hardcore interior, and a new exterior look.
The speculation stems from a recent post made by the British publication AutoExpress, which cites an unidentified company insider. The rumors also echo those coming from a report made late last year by the U.K.-based publication CAR.
While the i8’s stiff, lightweight composite chassis and hybrid drivetrain is supposedly capable of handling a buff of up to 300 extra horsepower, the new i8’s power increase wouldn’t be that extreme. Bimmer’s engineers will most likely replace the current twin-turbo, three-cylinder gas engine, which produces 231 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, with a more potent 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit. The new ICE would chuck out over 300 horsepower, which would boost total output (when combined with the electric motor) to roughly 450 horsepower.
A sub-four-second 0-to-60 time is the target acceleration spec, as compared to the current vehicle’s 4.2 seconds to 60. While the larger four-banger engine will add heft, BMW will most likely preserve the car’s current curb weight of 3,285 pounds by using unpainted carbon fiber body panels and a stripped-out interior that eliminates the ’barely there anyway’ rear seats.
Finally, the new i8 will probably boast a revamped exterior, with a wider and lower body, more aggressive aero and ground effects, and bigger wheels and brakes.
Continue reading for the full story.
More Powerful BMW i8 Will Be Unveiled Next Year originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 11 June 2015 18:00 EST.
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