BMW M may have opted for the bulky and controversial XM SUV as its ultimate flagship, but a few years back, there was a sleek, low-slung sports car in the works. The BMW I16 was unveiled on social media by the Bavarian firm’s design boss Domagoj Dukec, positioned as the successor to the i8. While it came tantalizingly close to fruition, the project was ultimately shelved, likely a casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The designer released a series of sketches and photorealistic renderings of the sports car, which appears to combine the proportions of the BMW i8 with toned-down styling cues borrowed from the 2019 BMW Vision M Next concept, including the flashy two-tone livery.
While “toned-down” often carries negative connotations in the context of production concepts, in this case, it enhances the appeal of the I16, making it more visually appealing to our eyes.
Overall, the I16 was envisioned as a modern reinterpretation of the classic BMW M1, and would serve as a halo model for the Bavarian automaker.
Domagoj Dukec / Instagram
At the front, the aggressive headlights are significantly larger compared to the futuristic show car, while the sculpted kidney grille is flanked by additional intakes. The greenhouse and butterfly doors appear to be carried over from the i8, though the flying buttresses have been substituted with high-mounted side inlets.
More: Alpina Explains Why Its 462 HP BMW i8 Four-Cylinder Project Never Became A Reality
The rear end takes heavy inspiration from the concept, featuring slim taillights, M1-inspired BMW emblems, and a triple rear windshield reminiscent of a vented engine cover.
Dukec said that the development of the I16 was completed in less than 12 months, encompassing both the exterior and interior. This rapid pace was made possible by utilizing the carbon monocoque chassis of the BMW i8, evident in the mid-engined proportions and shared hardpoints.
The designer didn’t get into specifics about the powertrain of the now-canceled model. However, according to reports from 2020, the I16 would retain the plug-in hybrid nature of its predecessor, albeit with significant improvements in power and range.
More specifically, the PHEV was rumored to offer a combined output of around 600 hp (447 kW / 608 PS) from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electric motors. Additionally, the EV-only range was expected to exceed 60 miles (96 km) between charges.
More: Porsche Kept The Gorgeous 904 Living Legend A Secret And We Hate Them For It
Ultimately, the BMW i8 went out of production in 2020 without a successor, as the automaker decided to pull the plug on the I16 project. Dukec hinted that the pandemic might have played a role in the demise of the sports car: “While we pushed, the world changed in 2020. And so, work on the project unfortunately had to be stopped.” Despite the cancellation, Dukec remains optimistic about the future, stating that “there’s always a new project waiting around the corner.”
On a final note, while we’re disappointed that the I16 didn’t make it to production, we hugely appreciate automakers sharing sketches and photos of their canceled projects, rather than keeping them under wraps. It offers enthusiasts a glimpse into what could have been and sparks conversation about the future of automotive design.