BMW's Lost Legend: Inside the i16 Supercar Saga and Why We Got the XM Instead
In an alternate universe, the roads are a blur under the wheels of the BMW i16, a machine built not just to move you, but to stir the soul. Unfortunately, we reside in the reality where this car remains a phantom, sacrificed at the altar of market demands. Let's unpack the story of the BMW i16, the pandemic">supercar that almost was, and understand why the XM SUV took its place.
Rise and Fall of a Supercar Dream
In the wake of a world turned upside down by the pandemic, consumer preferences shifted dramatically towards spacious, versatile vehicles, prompting BMW to pivot to the XM to cater to the growing appetite for luxury SUVs. This decision marked the end of the road for the i16, a car that promised to be a worthy successor to the legendary M1.
Drawing inspiration from the Vision M NEXT concept unveiled in 2019, the i16 was a beacon of retro-futurism. With a chassis borrowed from the i8 and the potential for a heart-thumping B58 engine, the same that powers the BMW 3 Series and the Toyota Supra, the i16 was not just a car; it was a statement.
A Closer Look at What Could Have Been
Imagine a silhouette echoing the i8, adorned with Z4-esque headlights and massive kidney grilles, with a dash of modernity thanks to slim rear taillights akin to the BMW iX. Red accents, reminiscent of the XM Label, would have added a streak of aggression to its aesthetics. Yet, despite its promise of greatness, the i16 was relegated to the shadows.
According to BMW design boss Domagoj Dukec, the tumultuous market conditions wrought by the pandemic made the i16 untenable. The specter of the Lexus LFA loomed large as a cautionary tale; a low-slung halo car, however beautiful, risked becoming a financial albatross in an SUV-hungry world.
The Unrelenting Shift to SUVs
This shift wasn't unique to BMW. The automotive world saw brands known for their sports cars, like Aston Martin with the DBX, embrace the SUV craze. Even in the throes of a global crisis, the allure of the SUV remained unscathed, further sealing the i16's fate.
The i16, had it come to pass, would have been a niche gem — a dazzling but ultimately impractical testament to BMW's engineering and design prowess in a world that had moved on.
A Legacy Unfulfilled but Not Forgotten
The BMW XM, while not the supercar some dreamt of, stands as the vanguard of BMW's current vision, being identified as the most powerful M model ever made. It may not have the sleek lines of its forsaken sibling, but it carries the torch of innovation forward.
As for the i16, it remains a what-if, a ghost of automotive ambition. Yet, in the words of Domagoj Dukec, "We'll never stop dreaming and exploring new possibilities." Perhaps, then, the spirit of the i16 is not entirely extinguished but merely awaiting its moment to shine anew.