--- title: "BMW Was Secretly Working on an M1-Inspired Supercar Until the Pandemic Killed It" description: "BMW's design head recently revealed images of the i8 supercar successor the company was working on, until COVID turned the world upside down." date: "2024-02-09" modified: "2024-02-09" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmw-was-secretly-working-on-an-m1-inspired-supercar-until-the-pandemic-killed-it" categories: - "BMW News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # BMW Was Secretly Working on an M1-Inspired Supercar Until the Pandemic Killed It ![]() *A render of the BMW i16 sports car that was later canceled in 2020. \BMW\* In this business, I'm regularly fascinated by the "what ifs"—those [moonshot concepts]() that automakers plan and ultimately scrap, many of which never, ever reach public knowledge. Even as journalists, brands don't tend to let us in on these. Most of the time, we're just as clueless as anyone else. That's why I've been enjoying [BMW]() design chief Domagoj Dukec's recent initiative of revealing some of Munich's behind-the-scenes projects. His latest haul from history, a vehicle called the I16, might just be the most bittersweet of all. Dukec posted sketches and renderings of the I16 to [Instagram]() on Friday morning. To some degree, it should look familiar—the I16 was a descendant of the [Vision M Next study](), which toured auto shows in 2019. However, the I16 was clearly a more production-oriented and dare I say elegant design than the Vision M Next, and that's because, as Dukec says, the company had an actual ambition to sell it to customers. ![]() ![]() From a product standpoint, it was obviously a successor to the [i8](). Spiritually, though, there was no mistaking the I16 as a tribute to the [M1](), and a compelling one at that. "Within less than 12 months the car was ready—inside and out," Dukec wrote in the post. Considering the timeframe that the I16 was in development, you can probably guess why it never crossed the finish line. "While we pushed, the world changed in 2020," Dukec added. "And so, work on the project unfortunately had to be stopped." It's nothing less than a shame. When we [caught wind that BMW had canceled its i8 sequel]() in the spring of 2020, it turns out this is what we lost. Not just another plug-in hybrid sports car that stood to further legitimize the technology to enthusiasts, but an objectively beautiful car that may have silenced (completely deserved) criticism of BMW's styling direction heading into this decade, with a clear throughline to the brand's rich sporting history. If you ask me, it isn't too late. We're seeing many automakers [walk back their plans to fast-track EVs]() after buyers haven't taken to them as quickly as Wall Street would've liked. Hybrids, particularly of the plug-in variety, are a great solution for the here and now. From the [Corvette E-Ray]() to the [McLaren Artura]() and the [Volkswagen GTE we really should be able to buy here but can't](), the performance hybrid segment is a growing one, for good reason. BMW was a little too early to the party with the i8. The I16, though, would still be right on time. *Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()