Finally putting an end to a long-standing rumor, BMW has confirmed once and for all that it will not celebrate its 100th birthday by introducing a limited-edition range-topping supercar.
“We’re not going to build a super sports car powered by a heavy V8 or V10 engine,” affirmed Klaus Fröhlich, BMW’s chief of development, in an interview with German magazine Auto, Motor, Und Sport.
His comments crush reports of a retro-inspired mid-engined coupe billed as a successor to the iconic M1, and of a V8-powered version of the eco-friendly i8 hybrid with up to 600 ponies under the hood. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean BMW has completely ruled out launching a model positioned a notch above the i8.
Fröhlich hinted the Munich-based car maker is open to the idea of building a high-performance flagship coupe powered by an all-electric drivetrain. The car won’t arrive in time for BMW’s centennial celebration, which is scheduled for next year, because battery technology hasn’t reached a point where introducing an electric supercar is feasible. Today, high performance is synonymous with a big battery pack, and Fröhlich bluntly points out he doesn’t want to drive a coupe that’s as heavy as a truck.
We’ll hear more about the EV over the coming years if it gets the proverbial green light for production.
Note: BMW M1 Homage concept pictured.
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