Years later, long after the failed endeavor, BMW’s Head of Design, Domagoj Dukec, reveals the luxury car manufacturer’s intentions to introduce a substitute for the i8. Domagoj, who was involved in the project, narrates the tale of the BMW that never materialized.
The intended model was meant to serve as a successor to the i8 and was to be named the i16. It was envisioned as a progression from the Vision M Next concept car, which BMW unveiled in 2019, sparking immense excitement among BMW enthusiasts who fervently implored the automaker to produce a production version of it.
The concept car also drew inspiration from the iconic M1 from the late 1970s and aimed to incorporate its sporting elements. Featuring a louvered rear window and BMW roundels integrated into the taillamps, the Vision M Next seamlessly blended retro vibes with a futuristic silhouette.
Dukec describes the i16 as a vehicle that exuded the style of a future classic, surpassing the design cues of the M1. The team managed to design and construct the car, both inside and out, within a span of less than 12 months.
The i16 was intended to join the BMW i lineup alongside the i3. However, the German automaker discontinued its first production electric car in 2022, opting for a fresh approach to zero-emission mobility by introducing an electric variant for every ICE-powered model.
Unfortunately, the BMW i16 was not destined to see the light of day. While it featured the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic monocoque from the i8 and incorporated certain styling elements, circumstances prevented its realization. The onset of the pandemic in 2020 followed by the global financial crisis led BMW to withdraw financing for the project, abruptly halting work on the i16. The teams of designers and engineers were left pondering the potential success their project could have achieved had it entered production. It was a missed opportunity.
Launching a car in a niche market that was already struggling was simply not the right move at that time. Customers worldwide were gravitating towards crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. Introducing a sports car during such a period would have been a risky gamble from the very beginning.
“However, that’s just the way life goes sometimes,” wrote Domagoj Dukec in his Instagram post, acknowledging his familiarity with the numerous twists and turns that projects like these often face. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic, stating that there is always a new project waiting just around the corner.
Image: Domagoj Dukec | Instagram
Dukec does not mention any details regarding the powertrain that was intended for the i16, but it likely incorporated some form of electrification. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, the i8 went into production in 2014. It was driven by a hybrid system, which was constructed around a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 228 horsepower (231 metric horsepower).
Specifics did not contribute to the success of the i8. The turbo engine was supplemented by an electric motor, providing an additional 129 horsepower (131 metric horsepower) and 184 pound-feet (250 Newton meters) of torque, resulting in a combined system output of 369 horsepower (374 metric horsepower) and 420 pound-feet (570 Newton meters) of torque.
The plug-in hybrid accelerated from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 4.4 seconds and reached a top speed limited to 155 mph (250 kph). The vehicle was equipped with a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing for a pure electric range of 23 miles (37 kilometers).
Despite these figures, the BMW i8 did not maintain its production, with the Germans ceasing production in June 2020 after selling a total of 20,465 units worldwide over the span of six years.
Image: Stefan Baldauf | SB Medien
On the other hand, the Vision M Next Concept featured a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 591 horsepower (600 metric horsepower). This enabled the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 186 mph (299 kph).
The exact powertrain intended for the BMW i16 remains unknown, and it is unlikely that this information will be disclosed unless a BMW engineer decides to reveal it in the future. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another four years to uncover this secret, unless another BMW representative decides to divulge it. Alternatively, the executives at BMW may regret canceling the project and decide to proceed with production swiftly in order to make up for lost time.
According to the Source autoevolution.com