The on-again-off-again BMW supercar successor to the M1 is now rumored to be coming in 2016, according to Autobild. Why so long? Because the i8 electric hybrid sportscar launches in 2014 and BMW would like to give the i8 some time on the market without any potential sales cannibalization posed by a successor to the M1. We think it’s unlikely that BMW will revive the M1 nameplate, but may instead choose a previously unused and higher identifier - perhaps the M10 (which was recently trademarked).

The market introduction is so far away for this potential halo sports model that engine and performance specs are mostly speculative and subject to change, but the report speculates that it may be powered by a turbocharged V8 with 600-650 horsepowers, with … CONTINUED

Much is already known about the BMW i8, but its pricing when it hits the market in 2014 has been the stuff of speculations only.

We previously estimated that the i8 would be priced at over €100,000 (Euro) and this has now been confirmed by Ian Robertson, BMW’s head of sales and marketing in Germany and a board member of BMW North America. Speaking to reporters at the grand opening of the world’s first BMW i Store in London, he confirms that the i8 will sell for “more than €100,000″ (approximately $125,000 USD at current conversion rates) in Europe. Although this pricing doesn’t come as a surprise, it is the first time that BMW officials have confirmed any target price range.

Robertson did not provide any pricing estimate … CONTINUED

Today, the BMW Group presented its first BMW i Store worldwide in London, unveiling a showroom that offers a completely new brand experience focused on sustainable mobility. BMW i Park Lane will officially open its doors on 25th July.

The event to preview the new BMW i Store was hosted by Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW.

Ian Robertson said: “BMW i Park Lane marks a completely new approach. Situated next to BMW Park Lane and MINI Park Lane, it gives people a perfect opportunity to learn more about electromobility and get close to our future electric and plug-in hybrid BMW i vehicles. This is a further demonstration of our commitment to electromobility.”

The opening of the new BMW i … CONTINUED

At today’s SMMT 2012 International Automotive Summit at Canary Wharf, London, Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW, announced that the new generation of high-tech, 3-cylinder petrol engines for the future BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will be produced exclusively at the BMW engine plant at Hams Hall, near Birmingham.

Ian Robertson said: “Our Hams Hall engine plant, which last week celebrated production of the three-millionth engine since the plant was opened in February 2001, will make an important contribution to the future success of the new BMW i brand and the company’s strategy for achieving sustainable mobility. The new 3-cylinder petrol engines will enable our future BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car to set new standards for … CONTINUED

Last we saw the BMW i8 hybrid sports coupe prototype it was being tested during the dead of winter in Northern Sweden. It’s now Spring and the i8 mule is being tested in the much more pleasant settings of Southern Germany.

The camouflage remains the same as before, but with these clear prototype i8 photos and the recently revealed i8 Spyder Concept, we already have a pretty good idea of the size, proportions, stance, and styling details of the 2014 i8 production car. It will resemble the car seen in the renders posted below.

Powertrain and Sales Target:

The concept i8 specs should give a great idea of what to expect for the production i8 model. The concept i8 features a high performance 3-cylinder petrol engine (164 kW) in … CONTINUED

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder is celebrating its world premiere at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing (23 April – 2 May 2012) and the rear-end of the car clearly bears the eDrive emblem for the new technology. In future, the designation eDrive will identify the drive technology for all electric and plug-in hybrid cars from BMW i.

BMW eDrive comprises the components of the electric drivetrain: the electric motor developed in-house by BMW, the lithium-ion battery, and finally the intelligent motor management system. This technology ensures that electromobility with BMW eDrive offers a unique experience. This is because the full torque of the electric motor is available from a standing start and the acceleration unfolds continuously in thoroughbred electric vehicles until the top speed is attained. … CONTINUED

We’ve shown you photos of the BMW i8 Spyder Concept, now see it in motion in its first videos. Inside you’ll find footage of the i8 in driving action as well as exterior and interior design clips.

The just unveiled BMW i8 Concept Spyder naturally calls for a comparison to its open-air sibling. It’s an interesting comparison for several reasons. Seeing both concepts shows the differences between both cars/concepts but also shows some progress BMW has made in the development of the Concept i8. At first sight, the i8 Spyder looks even more focused and ‘mean’ than the i8 Coupe. Part of the reason for this is that the i8 Spyder is 15 cm or 6 inches shorter than the i8 Coupe (see full specs below). Being an open top car however results in a weight disadvantage of 150 kg or 330 lbs.

Both the i8 Coupe and the i8 Spyder have gullwing/butterfly doors, and both will retain this for series production (as seen … CONTINUED

Introducing the BMW i8 Spyder hybrid sports car concept! The BMW i8 Concept Spyder with eDrive is an open-top two-seater embodying a form of personal mobility with equal sporting and emotional appeal.

Under the banner of its sub-brand BMW i, the BMW Group is developing a range of purpose-built vehicle concepts and complementary mobility services which meet the changing needs of customers and redefine the understanding of personal mobility. As well as adopting intelligent technologies and innovative design, BMW i is pursuing an all-embracing approach defined to a significant degree by sustainability throughout the value chain.

Following the presentation of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept, the BMW Group introduces the BMW i8 Concept Spyder to the mix. This third BMW i model embodies the … CONTINUED