BMW Making The i8 Fully Electric

2015 BMW I8 (Credit: © BMW)

The rumor mill is abuzz about the BMW i8. Multiple sources like Autoblog and Green Car Reports claim that BMW is about to make the car a full-electric vehicle, shifting away from the current hybrid setup.

Honestly, this is great news. The i8 always should have been an all-electric supercar. Instead, what we got was a half measure. If you’ve ever seen the car in person, you know it looks even more impressive than in pictures. Everyone would expect the futuristic machine to run on something other than gasoline.

Word is that BMW will be using three electric motors in the revised i8. Two motors are for the rear axle, one for the front. Supposedly combined peak output for the system will be around 400 horsepower. A larger battery pack will mean better range.

Expect to see the facelifted version of the BMW i8 in 2017. Styling updates will definitely be part of the mix, but just how extensive they’ll be is the big question.

This probably means the BMW i line will from here on out only do electrics. Considering what a market force those kinds of cars have become, that’s a wise move. Porsche is coming out with the Mission E. Jaguar’s working on multiple EVs. BMW needs to up its game as well.