BMW‘s i division might ditch the petrol-electric powertrain in favor of fully electric propulsion in the future for the i8, and it will all start with a battery-powered prototype.
By taking this road, BMW could give the sports car a much larger battery along with a trio of new high-revving electric motors instead of the hybrid system it currently relies on.
The plan is to base the new electric-powered i8 around the carbon fiber structure developed for BMW’s i division’s fuel cell prototype, which features a wider center tunnel than the regular i8 – used to house multiple cylindrical hydrogen tanks.
“The idea is to use the space within the widened center tunnel to house the battery instead of the hydrogen tanks,” said a company official speaking directly to Autocar.
Sources are also saying the proposed i8 prototype will not weigh more than the current version despite the larger battery. Power is said to come from three new electric motors – one up front and two at the rear where you’d normally find the i8’s 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine. The electric motors are also rumored to operate at a much higher internal speed than the ones used now.
“BMW has a great history of high-revving combustion engines,” said another insider. “We’re looking to take this tradition into the electric car arena with electric motors that rev far higher than those seen in production today.”
Currently, the i8 comes with a combined output of 362 PS (357 HP), but insiders are saying the new electric motors will be capable of putting down 271 PS (268 HP) each, which would significantly up its power and make it more of a threat to rival sports cars.
Note: BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition pictured
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