Previously Secret M1-inspired BMW i16 Concept Revealed

The BMW i8 PHEV sportscar, produced between 2014 and 2020, never saw a direct successor. Now, it has been revealed that one such follow-up inspired by the M1 was in development before it was axed.

FACT: BMW had designed a radical mid-engined hybrid supercar, which was supposedly planned as a successor to the radical BMW i8. However, the German automaker elected not to develop it further, or put it into production.

The project was kept secret over the four years, but it has now been revealed by BMW head designer Domagoj Dukec via social media - more specifically, through the design boss' Instagram. Christened as the BMW i16 Concept, it arguably could have been the M performance division's second bespoke model after the legendary 1978 M1 supercar.

According to Dukec, "the world changed in 2020" at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic. He added that "work on the project unfortunately had to be stopped" as a result of which. Instead, the M division elected to develop and unleash the XM super-PHEV SUV in the post-pandemic years.

Dukec further notes that the i16 as had "all the style of a future classic,” adding that the influence of the Giorgetto Guigiaro-designed M1 was evident through its angular silhouette, vented rear arches, as well as the unmistakably distinct louvred engine lid.

Furthermore, Dukec explained that the i16 was conceived to use the i8's composite structure, likely as BMW’s bid to clash and keep development costs low, thus bolstering its viability as a production car further. However, it remains unclear if the i16 would have used the same plug-hybrid (PHEV) setup.

As a refresher, the BMW i8 was BMW's first PHEV offering. Underneath its pretty metal, it saw the pairing a 1.5-litre 3-cyl turbo petrol mill with an electric motor on the front axle. Combined, the setup boasted a total output of 356 HP, which enabled 0-100 KM/H sprints in a Porsche 911-rivalling 4.3secs.

A lot of the BMW i16 Concept's looks was heavily inspired by the legendary BMW M1 - see the video below to know more about that 1978 original.

The i8 was produced between 2014 and 2020, after which it was axed to make way for a new line of all-electric BMW models like the iX3, i4, and iX.

What do you folks think then? Would you rather had BMW build the i16 instead of things like the XM? As usual, share your take in the comments below, as well as our social media pages...