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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.

Xcar checks if BMW's i8 offers moves as electrifying as its looks

If you were to plot the general opinion about hybrids since their introduction among auto enthusiasts, the resulting graph would likely be shaped somewhat like a "V." In the beginning interest was high, simply due the novelty of these new powertrains, then the line would gradually fall as the models got the stereotype of being boring commuters. Today, though, things might be back on the upswing. Vehicles like the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and BMW i8 are showing that a hybrid doesn't have to be synonymous for dull. In its latest video, Xcar Films aims to find out if BMW's electrified sports coupe actually earns the brand's old moniker as the ultimate driving machine.
While the focus here is on what the i8 is like behind the wheel, one of the main highlights for the viewer is the interesting ways that Xcar shoots the BMW. It's not necessarily a beautiful vehicle, but seeing it in motion reveals all sorts of little intricacies that still photos don't pick up. For example, our eye catches the flying buttresses and little crevices scooped out of the corners when we get a look at the rear. It's just a fun car to look at.
With its 1.5-liter, turbocharged, three-cylinder engine and electric motor, the i8 positions itself as the future of automotive performance. But its intriguing looks and cutting-edge use of carbon fiber would be wasted if the coupe didn't drive well. We won't spoil the final verdict, though, you'll have to watch the video above.

Lil Wayne's daughter gifted Ferrari GTO, BMW X4 for 16th birthday [w/video]

It must be nice to have ludicrously rich parents. Rapper Lil' Wayne's daughter Reginae recently celebrated her 16th birthday with a huge party in Atlanta. Where many teens would be overjoyed just to get a family hand-me-down for a first car, the rapper's daughter got two brand-new vehicles – a BMW X4 and a Ferrari 599 GTO. The X4 would certainly be extravagant by itself, but it's not totally without precedent. Anyone who watched even a snippet of MTV's old show My Super Sweet 16, probably saw a few vehicles that were just as expensive. However, the concept of any newly licensed teen behind the wheel of a Ferrari is absolutely terrifying to us. This one is even crazier, with 661 horsepower and a chassis capable of lapping Ferrari's Fiorano test track quicker than an Enzo. Of course, with just 599 built, Reginae could probably just park the coupe and let it appreciate enough to finance her next big party. The BMW is reportedly going to be her daily driver, anyway. According to TMZ, Reginae's mother and stepfather bought her the Ferrari with Lil' Wayne's blessing. They believe their daughter can handle the 599 GTO, which shows some serious – if misguided – trust. Check out the video below to see the cars and her party. Related Gallery 2015 BMW X4 View 55 Photos Related Gallery Ferrari 599 GTO View 15 Photos News Source: TMZ via YouTube BMW Ferrari Car Buying Ownership Videos ferrari 599 ferrari 599 gto