The BMW I16: The Supercar That Almost Was

BMW nearly produced the I16, a mid-engine sports car that could have evolved from the i8, but ultimately chose to abandon it and focus solely on the XM SUV. According to Steve Saxty, a well-known automotive author, the I16 was about 95% ready for production before BMW pulled the plug—just at the brink of greatness.

BMW aimed to improve the I16 with a more refined and powerful design, incorporating everything they learned from the i8 (remember that hybrid coupe with scissor doors?). The car was set to feature a four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 560 hp, giving it the potential to outmuscle the BMW M4, but without a huge increase in engine displacement. The exterior and body engineering were already complete, and the interior was also finished (though no photos have been revealed yet).

But BMW ultimately chose to focus its resources on the XM SUV. According to Saxty, the shift in focus came down to market demand. High-end, expensive SUVs like the XM seemed like a more profitable route for BMW compared to a pricey mid-engine sports car, especially when the M8 and other six- and eight-cylinder sports cars were already in their lineup. Plus, pricing the I16 could've been tricky—it could’ve ended up costing more than the M8, despite having fewer cylinders.

In the end, we’ll never see the I16, but we do have the XM. Whether you love or hate BMW’s decision, it's clear that luxury SUVs are the priority, even if that means sacrificing a potentially exciting supercar.