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BMW’s i16 Supercar Project Cancelled in Favor of XM SUV
BMW was developing a new supercar based on the i8 platform, known internally as the i16. This new model drew inspiration from the legendary BMW M1 of the late 1970s. However, BMW decided to cancel the project and instead focus on the XM SUV.
Reports indicate that the i16 was nearly complete, with about 95% of the development finished when BMW halted its progress. The Covid-19 pandemic played a role in the decision to cancel the M1-inspired supercar. Additionally, BMW chose to prioritize the XM, as both vehicles were vying for resources from the company’s performance division.
In a recent interview, author Steve Saxty explained that the concept for the i16 involved enhancing the i8 by incorporating a 560 hp 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine, rather than the original 3-cylinder engine.
The i16 was initially scheduled to launch in 2022. However, it appears that the model has now been permanently removed from BMW’s product plans.
Source: The Drive
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