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BMW's plans for next plug-in i model, due after 2020

BMW entered the fight in the green car ring with gusto thanks to the one-two punch of the i3 and the i8. However, it seems that there could be a wait ahead before the German's i sub-brand is ready to land another strike at the market. "We are still in the strategic research phase where we brainstorm," Klaus Frohlich, BMW Group development boss, said to Automotive News Europe about the future vehicle. He indicated the next new model to bear the i prefix wouldn't arrive until after 2020. Frohlich also underscored that the sub-brand's products wouldn't be based on a standard BMW product. The German brand was at one point rumored to have a model called either the i5 or i7 on the way that would have added a plug-in hybrid drivetrain to the 5 Series. Frohlich's statement would seem to invalidate that possibility. Although, there's nothing stopping the vehicle from carrying regular BMW branding in the vein of the X5 xDrive40e PHEV. The current i-badged models won't just stagnate on the market in the meantime, though. "We have a minimum 20 percent battery density improvement every three years, thus over the i3 and i8's life cycle, we will offer more performance, more range or a combination of the two," Frohlich said to Automotive News Europe. Sadly, current owners won't be able to upgrade to the improved parts, though. Rumors about a third i sub-brand model go back years with much of the talk swirling around the i5. In addition to the speculation about a 5-Series-based version, there was also supposed to be a stretched variant of the i3 with that name, possibly even with a hydrogen fuel cell version. Although, BMW claimed the vehicle was purely "hypothetical." Related Video:

BMW M6 gets new Competition Package

With 560 horsepower on tap, the BMW M6 is already plenty powerful and capable. Those looking for an extra boost, however, may be interested in the new Competition Package. While BMW already offered a Competition Package before, the new one is even more powerful. Where the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 in the standard M6 produces 560 hp and the previous Competition Package boosted that to 575, the new one bumps it up to a nice round 600 – torque jumping from the standard 501 lb-ft to 516 with the new package. That means the M6 Coupe with the new package in place will now run to 62 miles per hour from a standstill in 3.9 seconds and on to 124 mph in 11.8. Top speed is electronically limited (as usual) to 155 mph, but can be derestricted to 189 if you also specify the M Driver's Package. Of course, this upgraded M6 isn't all about straightline speed: the package also includes firmer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, as well as a retuned differential, steering and stability control. Unique 20-inch alloys and black chrome tailpipes also form part of the package that will be available for the M6 Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible starting in July. Before you get too excited, keep in mind this announcement is for Europe. We're standing by for information on US availability. In the meantime, check out all the details in the press release below. More potent Competition Package for BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Gran Coupe and BMW M6 Convertible. Munich. In July 2015 BMW M GmbH will replace the existing Competition Package for the BMW M6 Coupe, BMW M6 Gran Coupe and BMW M6 Convertible with an upgraded version. The new Competition Package has been developed with a keen eye on enhancing driving dynamics. It includes a power boost for the 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology (BMW M6 Coupe/BMW M6 Gran Coupe/BMW M6 Convertible: fuel consumption combined: 9.9/9.9/10.3 l/100 km [28.5/28.5/27.4 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 231/231/239 g/km)* of 29 kW/40 hp over the standard unit, to 441 kW/600 hp. Peak torque also rises, from 680 Nm (501 lb-ft) in standard tune to 700 Nm (516 lb-ft), and is available across an extremely wide rev band – between 1,500 and 6,000 rpm. New personal best for the BMW M6 Coupe: 0 – 200 km/h (124 mph) in 11.8 seconds. The three model variants impress with outstanding performance when fitted with the new optional Competition Package.

BMW mulled ten, eight, and six-cylinder engines for i8 before going hybrid

There's little doubt that the 2015 BMW i8 is one of the most radical and groundbreaking performance cars this industry has seen in a long time. From its unique carbon-intensive construction to its 1.5-liter, three-cylinder and electric motor plug-in powertrain to its concept-car appearance, the flagbearer for BMW's new i venture challenges the very notion of what it takes to be a supercar.
Yet apparently the i8 almost didn't do that at all. Yes, it probably still would've had innovative assembly techniques, serious performance and come-hither bodywork, but according to a new report in the Telegraaf, it was very nearly a much more conventional beast, drawing its power from a V10 engine. According to the report, that line of development never got much beyond the drawing board, but BMW engineers then shifted their focus to both V8 and six-cylinder motivation, going so far as to build prototype cars. The higher cylinder-count engines were eventually dropped altogether after BMW decided to turn the i8 into a hybrid, with the six-cylinder reportedly nixed due to heat management and weight issues. In the end, of course, BMW went with the PHEV powertrain that offers a total system output of 362 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque - plenty of thrust for this lightweight, all-wheel drive coupe while still enabling an incredible 94 miles to the gallon on the EU cycle. Regardless of how it turned out, it's still fascinating to think that BMW didn't have a much firmer conceptual idea of what it was after when it started the i8's development.
Here at Autoblog, we're genuinely thrilled about this new generation of greener hybrid super- and hypercars, a movement spearheaded by the i8, Porsche 918 Spyder, Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1. But even so, our inner-gearheads can't help but wonder what might have been had BMW pursued a more conventional i8, either in place of, or in addition to, the car they did build. What do you think? Have your say in Comments.