Refreshed BMW i8 Possibly with 420 HP

It is an open secret that BMW is currently working on a refreshed version of the BMW i8. It has been a while since both the i3 and i8 cars have been launched back in 2014, and it is about time for a refresh. Rumor has it that the plug-in hybrid is likely to have up to 420 HP.

Autocar, a British Magazine, published this piece of news which according to them comes from a source close to the project. The goal is for the i8 to have the same levels of power as the BMW M3 and M4. There were no details about how BMW plans to achieve this though.

The refreshed BMW i8 is likely to have a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine powering the rear axle and a synchronous electric motor powering the front wheels. Both axles may be upgraded to achieve the power mentioned in the report.

The petrol engine will likely get a 10% increase in power with some tweaks done to the turbocharger, intake and exhaust while a new electric motor with more punch could be installed on the front axle. The battery pack will also be upgraded, most likely to the 94Ah pack used in the current BMW i3.

In the same report, Autocar also claims that the production version of the BMW i8 Spyder will feature a soft top that has to be mounted manually and stowed away.