BMW planning new i8 hybrid with more power, more range and wireless charging — and it’s coming next year

Just days after BMW updated its compact i3 city car, new rumours suggest that the company will do the same for its i8 counterpart. Sources close to BMW seem to suggest that the BMW’s hybrid supercar will have updated styling, more power – and possibly even inductive, wireless charging.

After being taken round the track in an old i8, it’s hard to imagine a speedier version of the hybrid, but Autocar reports that the new i8 should make around 420hp of combined power from its electric motors and 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbo engine.

As well as power, the new BMW i8 could offer increased range, and a revision of the car’s six-speed automatic transmission will mean that its 0-60mph time dips below the four-second mark.

However, the most interesting thing about the new i8 might be how it charges. Sources close to the new car say BMW is considering fitting it with wireless charging, and I expect that will be provided by Qualcomm’s Halo technology. BMW already provides an i8 as a safety car for the Formula E championship, and guess what? It’s equipped with Qualcomm’s wireless Halo technology. Therefore it’s not a huge jump to expect it on next year’s production i8.