Skip to main content

Before the BMW i8 was a hybrid, it was a V10 … and a V8 … and a 6-cylinder

before the bmw i8 was a hybrid it v10 and v8 6 cylinder backend
Imagine how amazing a raw, V10-powered BMW 8 Series supercar would have sounded...oh well... Image used with permission by copyright holder

When the BMW i8 official debuted, I was a bit surprised by, well, its lack of power. Carefully sculpted from carbon fiber and aluminum, the i8 has the looks and price tag of a much more powerful car.

Turns out, my feelings were on the money, as BMW had toyed with three other powerplants for the i8, including a V10, V8 and a six-cylinder.

According to Telegraaf, the BMW i designers originally conceived of the i8 as a V10 supercar but quickly scrapped that idea, replacing it with a V8. After testing of that drivetrain proved less than pleasing, Bimmer went for one of its classic sixes.

Paired with a hybrid powertrain, the six worked – for a while. Ultimately, though, BMW sent that engine back to the parts bin when engineers couldn’t overcome heat management and weight issues. Really? Not even the exacting Germans could sort it? That’s troubling.

Eventually the dour Deutschers settled on a 1.5-liter three-cylinder that produces 231 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. Mated with the plug-in hybrid powertrain, the i8 pushes 362 hp and 236 lb-ft – enough to get to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Although I am pleased Bimmer went for electrification, I still would have rather seen a V10- or V8-powered 8 supercar to rival the Audi R8. I know Bimmer’s brass feels the V10 supercar market is a bit oversaturated. And I understand that. I just wonder it they say that because they couldn’t get theirs to not catch on fire.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more