More Potent BMW i8S In 2017?

BMW celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016 and most industry observers expect the company to cook up a tasty automotive treat to celebrate. Right now, that speculation is focused on a more potent i8S to delight the automotive enthusiasts who have been patiently waiting for a worthy successor to the iconic M1 mid engine sports car last sold in 1981.

What might a hotter version of the company’s groundbreaking plug-in hybrid sports car be like? According to Car Magazine, it will still look like the visually stunning i8, which is a pretty good starting point. But instead of 357 hp and 420 ft-lb of torque, the upgraded powertrain is likely to be a twin turbo 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine making 340 hp powering the rear wheels coupled with a 204 hp electric motor for the front wheels. Combined, they would pump out 524  hp and 520 ft-lb of torque. If true, that would be enough power to propel the i8S to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds. Wow!

But there is another option under consideration, and that’s a boosted 3.0 liter inline 6 cylinder making 480 horsepower mated to a 109 horsepower electric motor for a total of 589 hp. Which option will BMW choose? It’s a safe bet the company won’t want its anniversary car to play second fiddle to anything else, especially the new Tesla Model S P85D (though at 3.2 seconds to 60 MPH, the Tesla won’t be easy to beat). So expect the bigger engine to make the final cut. Besides, it would be fitting for this 100th anniversary car to be powered by a version of the silky smooth straight-six engine the company built its reputation on.

What else will the BMW i8S buyer get? Upgraded suspension, wider wheels and fatter tires are guaranteed. Beefier brakes to contain all that extra speed will be a must. The i8’s token rear seats will be discarded in favor of more interior carrying capacity and bespoke interior appointments will abound. Expect the i8S to be available in 2017, just in time for Bimmer’s 100th anniversary (that is, if BMW can sort out its production delays).

And the price? If you have to ask……