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2024 BMW i8 M
WHAT IT IS BMW’s follow-
up to the plug-in-hybrid
i8 halo car, which in and
of itself never really lived
up to expectations. Pre-
viewed by the 2019 BMW
Vision M Next, this yet-to-
be-named replacement
(we’ve taken to calling
it the i8 M) should place
greater emphasis on per-
formance than its prede-
cessor did.
WHY IT MATTERS The i8’s
successor could set the
Bimmer world on fire
with its retro M1-inspired
style—it could have rear
louvers, people!
PLATFORM After BMW sold
most of its interest in a
Washington carbon-fiber
plant, reports suggestedthere would be no more
carbon-bodied Bimmers.
We’re guessing those
reports are wrong. An
evolution of the i8’s
carbon-fiber tub seems
inevitable, as the concept
shows off unpainted com-
posite sills and trim. BMW
may mix in some struc-
tural metal, though.
POWERTRAIN Following the
i8’s lead, this supercar will
have an electrified front
axle and combine a turbo-
charged gas engine with
an electric motor on the
rear axle. But here you’ll
find an inline-four instead
of the i8’s inline-three.
The battery will enable
at least 60 miles of EV
driving between charges.
Combined output will flirt
with 600 ponies, so that
should address anyone’sconcerns about the i8 M
having the motor(s) to
back up its M1 looks.
COMPETITION Acura NSX,
Lexus LC500h, Mercedes-
AMG GT, Polestar 1,
Porsche 911 Turbo, any
startup EV supercar that
makes it to market.
WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG
BMW could mount
low-rolling-resistancerubber on this one, too,
as it did with the i8, but
we’re pretty confident
the company has learned
that lesson.
ESTIMATED ARRIVAL AND
PRICE We won’t see a
production version until
2023, but you’ll want to
start saving now. The
i8 M should cost at least
$160,000.CAR AND DRIVER ~ MAY 20202023 Land Rover
Defender 80WHAT IT IS A baby Land Rover set
to be positioned below the new
Defender in the brand hierarchy and,
if it reaches the U.S., provide a more
affordable entry point to the range.
U.K. media reports have named it the
80—given that Land Rover calls thetwo- and four-door Defenders the 90
and the 110, respectively—although
there is no confirmation of that.
WHY IT MATTERS Aggressive cost
cutting has blackened JLR’s balance
sheets, but the company needs a
megahit. A rugged, simple understudy
to the Defender could prove hugely
popular, especially as European
buyers move away from bigger and
less efficient models.PLATFORM Land Rover will likely build
the 80 in Asia on a platform shared with
parent company Tata and related to the
one that underpins the existing India-
market Tata Harrier.
POWERTRAIN JLR’s smaller Ingenium
engines, possibly including a three-
cylinder, with hybrid and plug-in options.
COMPETITION Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler.
WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG Tata is showing
signs of wanting to offload JLR to
somebody else. That’d disrupt plans.
ESTIMATED ARRIVAL AND PRICE Should be
on roads sometime in 2022, with prices
starting just above $30,000.