[BlkSapphire]

The i8 has been welcomed by the automotive press as a hybrid revelation. But apparently we haven’t seen anything yet.

Our sources are now confirming what we’ve previously reported as rumor. The BMW board officially approved a new halo car for BMW in the i9. The car is being planned for spring 2016, to coincide with BMW’s centenary celebrations.

According to these same sources the i9 will make use of the i8 carbonfiber tub as its basis. Reusing the structure and other off-the-shelf parts will allow BMW to rapidly develop the car for a 2016 on-sale date. The hybrid unit will remain virtually identical in design but with a more powerful electric motor and a new petrol powered inline six at its heart. Producing likely over 500 hp combined, the revised power-plant will help make the i9 likely the fastest BMW created to date.

The same inline six is set to debut in the new 7 Series early next year and ultimately make its way throughout the BMW line-up.

Outside of the new i9, BMWi will be extending it’s line-up in the coming years with the i5 sedan and extended wheelbase i3.

Look for the first prototype photos to show-up late this year and early next as BMW quickly ratchets up development of the new super car.

from -- http://www.bimmerfile.com/2014/09/25...9-supercar-go/

[Billup]

Not sure how I feel about it. Can't afford one, so it probably doesn't matter, but I'm sure that price tag is going to be even more hefty. Worth it over competitors?


Time will tell. I'll be looking forward to an update.

[GOLFFRR]

hmmm very interesting

[clbmw]

Exciting stuff. Surely it's going to have to be closer to 600-650 BHP combined electric petrol to justify its position and price?

[ShocknAwe]

Still waiting for the M8.

[E46M3forRay]

so bmw has less than a year to come out with a prototype... brilliant!!

[Petros]

the i8 is already quite pricey. i can imagine this one costing as much as a 458 or mclaren.

[Chihuahua]

If BMW is serious about targeting other cars in that segment they better set their sights a little higher than 500hp combined. That figure just isn't going to cut it.

[SCOTT26]

Concept first.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Concept first.

Cannot believe it's not on the front page news section yet!

Are BMW still working with Toyota on something or is this i9 replacing that idea?

[manuelf]

Originally Posted by clbmw

Cannot believe it's not on the front page news section yet!

Are BMW still working with Toyota on something or is this i9 replacing that idea?

Results of the collaboration with toyota (z3, z5, ...) are expected to hit the market 2017 and beyond. So this hybrid supercar is a different thing, which is - as op said - based on existing i8 platform.
Regarding the combustion engine, i am a bit puzzled... had expected a variant of the S55 engine with about 500hp coupled with an electric engine in the i3 power range, delivering a combined system power of about 670hp....

[Efthreeoh]

BMW, I'd rather see the R&D dollars go towards a E90-sized 3 series at the weight of an E30 (or less) and a 250HP naturally aspirated 2.0L direct-injection in-line 6, with a manual transmission.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

BMW, I'd rather see the R&D dollars go towards a E90-sized 3 series at the weight of an E30 (or less) and a 250HP naturally aspirated 2.0L direct-injection in-line 6, with a manual transmission.

Me too. This will never happen.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Kyle B

Me too. This will never happen.

Lexus killed BMW...

[Mr Clean]

I would love to see the twin turbo v8 from the modern M5/6 coupled with a hybrid power train into the i9 concept. Output should be somewhere around 700- 720hp and finally put BMW on the map.

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by manuelf

Results of the collaboration with toyota (z3, z5, ...) are expected to hit the market 2017 and beyond. So this hybrid supercar is a different thing, which is - as op said - based on existing i8 platform.
Regarding the combustion engine, i am a bit puzzled... had expected a variant of the S55 engine with about 500hp coupled with an electric engine in the i3 power range, delivering a combined system power of about 670hp....

What you're suggesting in terms of engine would make sense, I guess we'll have to wait on that one, but I'd be less surprised at your power figure than the 500hp suggestion. Once you hit £150-200k territory you're up against 911 Turbo S, McLaren 650S and 458. If BMW can match the pace and handling (particularly the latter two) and combine Hybrid technology they've pretty much created the first "budget" HyperCar ala P1 etc

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Originally Posted by clbmw

What you're suggesting in terms of engine would make sense, I guess we'll have to wait on that one, but I'd be less surprised at your power figure than the 500hp suggestion. Once you hit £150-200k territory you're up against 911 Turbo S, McLaren 650S and 458. If BMW can match the pace and handling (particularly the latter two) and combine Hybrid technology they've pretty much created the first "budget" HyperCar ala P1 etc

If the i8 is any indication, it still won't touch the turbo S, 458 etc. Those are all very fast and really outperform their paper stats.

[advantage20]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Concept first.

Scott, you did say that the BMWi technology would filter down to the entire BMW lineup, which is great indeed, but you also said that the BMWi and BMW M brands were in diagonally opposite corners in the BMW lineup, 2 distinct ranges in terms of philosophy, 2 epitomes of the BMW know-how and 2 distinct market images.

Now we're basically told that the so much awaited BMW halo supercar won't be a BMW M but a BMWi?? How is that consistent with the BMWi philosophy which, as we've been told, first and foremost focuses on efficiency and serenity, not on raw sensations or cornering speed for example? And how is that consistent with BMW M being endlessly denied its deserved halo supercar?

Also, an i9 above the i8 would more or less kill the appeal and revolutionary image of the i8 that has just freshly arrived on the market. Which wouldn't happen if the halo car would be a hardcore M with an inline-6 or V8, albeit possibly with hybrid technology but NOT marketed within the BMWi range. Really confusing...

[Vervain]

You've got my attention! But the price though..

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by Wolfinwolfsclothing

If the i8 is any indication, it still won't touch the turbo S, 458 etc. Those are all very fast and really outperform their paper stats.

I see where you're coming from. Battery doesn't last long enough in i8 from what I've read but equally what I've read is it is mighty quick below 90mph considering it's power level. I wish I'd had the chance to see it the day it visited my local dealership.

If they can get 500bhp plus from the new I6 engine and 150+ and decent battery capacity from the electrics it might stand a chance

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by advantage20

Scott, you did say that the BMWi technology would filter down to the entire BMW lineup, which is great indeed, but you also said that the BMWi and BMW M brands were in diagonally opposite corners in the BMW lineup, 2 distinct ranges in terms of philosophy, 2 epitomes of the BMW know-how and 2 distinct market images.

Now we're basically told that the so much awaited BMW halo supercar won't be a BMW M but a BMWi?? How is that consistent with the BMWi philosophy which, as we've been told, first and foremost focuses on efficiency and serenity, not on raw sensations or cornering speed for example? And how is that consistent with BMW M being endlessly denied its deserved halo supercar?

Also, an i9 above the i8 would more or less kill the appeal and revolutionary image of the i8 that has just freshly arrived on the market. Which wouldn't happen if the halo car would be a hardcore M with an inline-6 or V8, albeit possibly with hybrid technology but NOT marketed within the BMWi range. Really confusing...

Maybe there should be an entirely separate letter for this car...?

What would sound as good as i and ///M that didn't sound like anything else? M is 13th letter and I is 9th how about adding them to get V?

[ShocknAwe]

Mid engine - rear drive powered by the Twin Turbo N63 with electrically assisted drive at the front wheels. Make that big engine develop electricity to run the electric motors at the front wheels, no batteries in the floor. Then add push rod suspension, e-diff at the front, LSD in the rear.

Waddya think BMW?