BMW Is Indeed Considering A More Powerful i8 Variant

BMW is investigating the possibility of launching a more powerful version of its i8 hybrid sports car on the back of customer demand for such a vehicle.

Speaking to Auto Express at the Detroit Auto Show, head of BMW i Product Management Alexander Kotouc said that a possible i8s is currently under consideration.

“I can tell you at this point we are still evaluating it; the i8 is the iconic sports car of the new era”, Kotouc commented. “Yes, there is customer demand for a more powerful version, but it needs to make sense for our brand. You could put a V12 in there and it would be incredibly powerful, but would it still be a BMW i car? We need to find the perfect balance.”

In its most recent form, the BMW i8 delivers a combined 369 hp from its 1.5-liter three-cylinder and electric motor. Kotouc revealed that the existing powertrain can be modified to deliver more grunt, but hinted that a completely different setup could be used.

“There is a customer need and desire to have more power and we will try to fulfill it while also keeping our DNA authentic,” he said.

If BMW does decide to make an i8s, it would follow in the footsteps of the i3s, recently launched as the sportier version in the i3 range.