BMW i8S Rumored to Have up to 450 Horsepower

2015 BMW I8 (Credit: © BMW)

The rumor of the even more performance-oriented version of the i8 continues to gain momentum, despite BMW’s attempts to cool it off with denials. Now, a new report from Auto Express attaches a leaked horsepower number to the car.

» Related: BMW is Working on an X1 Hybrid

As it sits today, the BMW i8’s gasoline and electric powertrains combine to produce 357 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Of that total, 228 horses gallop from the three-cylinder engine mounted behind the seats. According to a BMW insider, the i8S – not the i8 M, as some speculated – could have as much as 450 horsepower combined. The insider indicated that this extra power would come from replacing the three-cylinder with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that is good for more than 300 horsepower.

I know what you’re all thinking, “ah, but what about the extra weight of the larger engine?” Well, BMW will counter this extra heft by installing additional carbon-fiber panels and possibly stripping out the interior, according to the report. These actions should help maintain the i8’s 3,455-pound curb weight and therefore drop the 0-to-60 time to well below four seconds.

What’s more, the i8S may be closer to production than most people think, as the insider also claims that the model could arrive as early as 2016. That would be perfect timing, as it would align with the company’s centenary celebration. As for pricing, the insider didn’t offer any details, but previous rumors put the price tag at more than $175,000.

I am sure that BMW will respond to these reports with nothing but more denials, but keep in mind that automakers are too fond of information like this being leaked.

Stay tuned for more information, as since we are pretty close to its rumored release, info should start flowing pretty freely if the rumors are true.