It’s a sad fact of life that not all great ideas come to fruition. Take, for example, the BMW i16 – the radical i8 successor that never was. This was a car that had the potential to change the automotive landscape, but for some reason, it never made it to production.
When the i8 was first unveiled, it was a revelation. A plug-in hybrid sports car that looked like it was straight out of a science fiction movie. Its futuristic design and impressive performance made it a hit with car enthusiasts around the world.
But BMW had even bigger plans for the i8’s successor. The i16 was set to take things to the next level, with even more advanced technology and jaw-dropping performance. It was going to be an all-electric powerhouse, capable of leaving even the most high-end supercars in the dust.
So, what happened? Why did BMW decide to pull the plug on such an ambitious project? Well, the answer is a complicated one. The automotive industry is constantly evolving, and sometimes, plans have to change to keep up with the times.
One of the major factors that led to the demise of the i16 was the rapidly changing landscape of electric vehicles. When the i8 was first introduced, electric cars were still a relatively niche market. But by the time the i16 was in development, companies like Tesla had already started to dominate the EV space. BMW realized that they needed to shift their focus to more practical and accessible electric vehicles, which led to the cancellation of the i16 project.
It’s a shame, really. The i16 had the potential to be a game-changer in the automotive world. Its stunning design and cutting-edge technology could have set a new benchmark for electric performance cars. But alas, it was not meant to be.
While we may never see the i16 on the roads, we can still appreciate the impact that it could have had on the industry. And who knows? Maybe one day, BMW will revisit the idea of a radical i8 successor and bring it to life. In the meantime, we can only dream of what could have been.
Does anyone know if BMW has any plans to bring back the idea of the i16 or something similar in the future? It’s fascinating to think about the advancements that could have come from it.
i was wondering the same thing. i hope they do, electric is the way to go and BMW could really push the envelope.
Honestly, it sounds like BMW bit off more than they could chew with the i16. It probably wasn’t as feasible as they hoped.
It’s a shame the i16 never hit the roads. The i8 looked sick, and I can only imagine what its successor would’ve been like.
Such a visionary concept from BMW! Even though the i16 didn’t come to fruition, it pushes the envelope for what’s possible in electric vehicle technology.
Electric cars are overhyped, the i16 would have been just another expensive toy. Give me a good old v8 any day.
I don’t agree with those who say the i16 would’ve been a flop. With the right tech, it could’ve been a landmark in EV performance. We need ambitious projects like this.
Imagine if the i16 could fly. Now that would have been an automotive breakthrough worth talking about.
For those interested, it’s worth noting that while the i16 project was shelved, BMW has invested significantly in the development of the iX3 and i4 models, emphasizing their commitment to electric vehicles.
Yes, CarlTech has a point. While the i16 would’ve been amazing, BMW’s focus on more accessible electric vehicles like the iX3 and i4 shows their dedication to sustainability and innovation.
it’s kinda sad we never got to see the i16 but im glad BMW is still making cool electric cars, even if they’re not super futuristic sports cars.
Is there any chance the concepts from the i16 could be used in other BMW models? Would be cool to see some of that tech make it to production cars.
Thats a good point ZapRider, hoping BMW incorporates some of those ideas in their next gen EVs. Would make for some exciting developments.