Tag Archives: midengined

BMW i16 is the unconventional i8 successor that by no means was

BMW designed a radical mid-engined hybrid supercar to succeed the i8 – however by no means put it into manufacturing. 

Kept secret for 4 years however now revealed by BMW head designer Domagoj Dukec on social media, the placing i16 may have been the M efficiency division’s second bespoke mannequin after the 1978 M1 supercar.

As it was, mentioned Dukec, “the world changed in 2020” on the onset of the Covid pandemic and “work on the project unfortunately had to be stopped”. 

M division has since launched the XM super-SUV as its second bespoke product – a dramatically totally different proposition to the supercar revealed right here. 

It’s a trustworthy evolution of the Vision M Next idea that BMW revealed in 2019, albeit with some delicate revisions aimed toward making it road-legal. 

Dukec described the i16 as having “all the style of a future classic” and famous the affect of the Giorgetto Guigiaro-designed M1 in its angular, cab-forward silhouette, vented rear arches and louvred engine lid.

The i16 was conceived to make use of the i8’s composite construction, little question in a bid to chop growth prices and thus bolster its viability as a manufacturing automobile, however it is not clear whether or not it could have used the identical plug-hybrid powertrain.

The i8 was BMW’s first PHEV, pairing a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electrical motor on the entrance axle for a complete output of 356bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.3sec – making it a pure rival to the Porsche 911.

A battery within the transmission tunnel gave an electric-only vary of greater than 30 miles in later automobiles. 

The i8 was produced from 2014 to 2020, being discontinued to make method for a brand new line of bespoke electrical BMW fashions together with the iX3, i4 and iX. 

The Vision M Next hinted at what an i8 successor may appear to be, however plans to provide it had been shelved over considerations about excessive R&D prices and low gross sales potential. 

However, M boss Frank van Meel hinted to Autocar in 2022 that the door wasn’t completely shut to the prospect of a brand new hybrid supercar, saying: “It’s at all times one thing we are able to take a look at. As automobile guys, we’re at all times dreaming of constructing such automobiles. It doesn’t imply we’ll make them, however we hold exploring these concepts.”

He mentioned the cancellation of the i16 did not imply BMW was “not thinking of a super-sports car,” tellingly including that he was “always trying to figure out how it would work”.

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Arrives At Monza, Exactly 56 Years After The Original

The new mid-engined Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale has been captured in photos alongside the Formula 1 racer driven by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. The single-seater sports a special livery with gold accents to pay homage to the colors of the supercar’s wheels. The car features “33 Stradale” lettering and an updated Quadrifoglio (four-leaf clover) to mark the 100th anniversary of its debut. This presentation of the new 33 Stradale took place at the same location where the original model first appeared 56 years ago – the legendary Monza circuit in Italy. The choice of Monza is significant as it was the venue where Nino Farina won the first ever F1 season in 1950, driving the Tipo 158 “Alfetta.”

2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato For Sale With $50K+ In Options

The Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato is a unique supercar that combines the power of the mid-engined V10 Lamborghini Huracán with impressive off-road capabilities. This is made possible through features such as raised suspension, new tires, and other enhancements that allow it to perform well on loose surfaces. With only 1,499 units produced, the Huracán Sterrato is a rare phenomenon in the world of supercars.

The 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato offers a wide range of options for customers to customize its rally-inspired appearance. This particular model is configured with various livery options, which amount to over $56,200. Additionally, there are other options available such as $16,500 for custom paintwork and $6,000 for wheels, among others.

The 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato for sale at Eurocar in Costa Mesa, California, is truly a modern masterpiece. Its rarity, exclusivity, and exceptional condition make it an incredibly unique opportunity to own such a stunning supercar. If you’re interested in purchasing this vehicle, you can view the price and listing here.

For more information and photos of the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, please see the gallery below:

Porsche 718 Boxster bids farewell with the powerful 493bhp Spyder GT4 RS

Porsche is saying goodbye to its mid-engined sports car family, the 718, with the introduction of the new 718 Spyder GT4 RS. This convertible model will be the last variant of the 718 before Porsche transitions to a fully electric drivetrain by 2025.

The 718 Spyder GT4 RS is the most powerful version of the Boxster ever produced since it first entered production in 1995. It shares the same GT3-based 4.0-liter flat-six engine with its hard-top counterpart, the five-star 718 Cayman GT4 RS. With an ear-splitting redline of 9000rpm, this engine delivers an impressive 493 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The power is transmitted through a lightning-fast seven-speed PDK gearbox, allowing the roadster to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 191mph.

Porsche highlights that the open-top design of the Spyder GT4 RS enhances the exhilarating sound of the engine. The car features a lightweight stainless steel sports exhaust and new air intakes mounted near the headrests to elevate the auditory experience.

In terms of aesthetics, the Spyder GT4 RS closely resembles the Cayman, exhibiting large air ducts, aggressive aerodynamic additions to boost downforce, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) hood and fenders, and 20-inch center-locking forged alloy wheels typically seen in racing cars.

Porsche has ensured that the Spyder GT4 RS delivers maximum driving pleasure on winding roads. It benefits from the same track-focused chassis upgrades as its hard-top counterpart. The car sits 30mm closer to the ground with stiffer shocks, comes standard with Porsche’s active suspension management (PASM) system, and includes a torque-vectoring package with a mechanical differential lock on the rear axle for outstanding cornering performance.

On the exterior, the RS model takes design cues from the slightly less powerful 718 Spyder, incorporating distinct rear deck buttresses and a prominent ‘ducktail’ rear wing to enhance aerodynamics.

The convertible soft-top is designed to add minimal weight to the car. It is manually operated and made from a lightweight single-layer canvas. The entire roof structure, including a separate ‘sun sail’ and weather protector, weighs only 18.3kg, which is 7.6kg lighter than the non-RS Spyder and 16.5kg lighter than the standard Boxster. Additionally, the canvas element can be stored in the car or removed entirely, saving an extra 8kg on the move.