As part of a comprehensive midlife facelift for the i8, BMW is set to give its hybrid sportscar more power, an extended range, various chassis tweaks, an inductive charging option and a series of new lightweight components.
The facelift is expected to launch in international markets in the final quarter next year. It’s set to adopt an upgraded petrol-electric powertrain currently being tested in a fleet of road-going prototypes, as well as the latest iteration of the i8-based safety car seen at Formula E events across the globe.
While details remain scarce, high-level engineers at BMW’s research and development facilities in Munich say the revised hybrid powertrain will have a more powerful electric motor than the 130.78hp unit of the current i8. Combined with a lightly fettled 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, the electric motor is claimed to provide the facelifted i8 with more than a 10 percent boost in power over today’s model, lifting the total output to around 425.82hp. Together with new software mapping for the i8’s six-speed automatic gearbox, the boosted output is also claimed to improve the performance of the BMW i brand’s range-topping coupé.
Additionally, BMW is also working to extend the overall range of the i8 through the adoption of a revised battery pack. With improved energy density properties – the same is being touted for the battery in the facelifted i3 that will make its debut at the Paris motor show in September – the battery pack is said to bring an incremental increase in pure-electric and hybrid ranges.
Secrecy surrounds the capacity of the new battery. However, BMW has confirmed that the Formula E safety car eschews the 7.1kWh unit of the production car for a larger 10.0kWh battery, possibly hinting at what’s to come for the facelifted version.
Drawing on further developments used by the Formula E safety car, the facelifted i8 is also set to receive a number of chassis modifications. An inductive charging system is also being tested and is expected to be offered as an option on the next iteration of the i8.
Further possible updates being pursued by BMW for the facelifted i8 are carbon-fibre wheels. Already showcased by the German carmaker, the lightweight wheels use a carbon-fibre rim and aluminium spokes; a move claimed to reduce weight by up to 25 percent over the aluminium wheels used today.
The launch of the facelifted BMW i8 coupé is likely to coincide with the introduction of the long-mooted i8 roadster in international markets.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
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