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Concept strongly hints at a what a next-generation i8 might look like, as well as its possible drivetrain.
The BMW Vision M Next concept car has been revealed as part of a presentation outlining the Bavarian automaker’s electrification plans.
With simpler detailing than the i8, not to mentions its louvre-like rear windscreen and C-pillar vents, the Vision M Next has more than a touch of the M1 about it.
Apart from the bright splashes of orange and the size-too-small head- and tail-lights, the Vision M Next looks almost production ready.
The Vision M Next continues BMW’s recent penchant for oversized double kidney grillethough, h.
The show car debuts Laser Wire headlamps, which feature glass fibres coated with phosphorous to produce light in a very compact layout.
Facial recognition technology is used to unlock the car, and the gull-wing doors are opened via a touch sensor.
Inside the cabin there’s a rectangular steering wheel with two small screens built in, and above this, in the driver’s line of sight, is a visor-like transparent curved screen.
Finally an augmented reality head-up display is integrated into the Vision M Next’s windscreen.
The Vision M Next has an all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a total of 441kW at its disposal. With all systems working together the car is said to be capable of a 0-100km/h time of 3.0 seconds.
Maximum driving range in pure EV mode is said to be 100 kilometres.
For comparison purposes, the current i8’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain mates a 105kW/250Nm electric motor with a 170kW/320Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
The 0-100km/h sprint can be completed in 4.4 seconds, and the top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h. According to the NEDC testing cycle, the i8’s EV range is 55km.
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