BMW reveals the M1-inspired i8 successor that never was

The plug-in hybrid BMW i8 retired in 2020 without a direct successor, but the intent wasn't always to leave its spot in the range empty. The numerous reports churned out by the rumor mill were at least partially true: BMW almost replaced the i8 with a coupe inspired by the M1.

BMW design boss Domagoj Dukec published renderings of a low-slung coupe called I16 that's both familiar and futuristic on his Instagram account. He explained that the model was developed to replace the i8, that it shared its composite structure with its intended predecessor, and that it was created in less than a year. The cool thing about his post is that this is a project that hasn't been shown to the public before.