---
title: "BMW’s Vision M Next-Based i8 Successor Has Been Canceled: Report"
description: "The mid-engined Bimmer project is out due to cost concerns exacerbated by coronavirus."
date: "2020-05-04"
modified: "2020-05-04"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/tech/33274/bmws-vision-m-next-based-i8-successor-has-been-canceled-report"
categories:
  - "BMW News"
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "BMW"
---

# BMW’s Vision M Next-Based i8 Successor Has Been Canceled: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/05/P90355732_highRes.jpg>)
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Apart from emitting sounds [tuned by Hans Zimmer](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/28714/bmw-vision-m-next-will-feature-sounds-by-famous-composer-music-legend-hans-zimmer>) and rocking neon-orange on its bow and stern, the BMW Vision M Next was known for apparently being a preview into the automaker's eventual successor to [the i8](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/26078/2019-bmw-i8-roadster-review-plug-in-hybrid-is-the-prettiest-walking-fish-in-the-automotive-world>). It was supposed to be another plug-in hybrid making more power than the i8 and have a design inspired by the old M1. Unfortunately, due to cost concerns only exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, the project has reportedly been filed to the recycle bin.

From Germany's *[Manager-Magazin](<https://www.manager-magazin.de/premium/bmw-i3-i8-inext-mnext-wie-oliver-zipse-elektroautos-bauen-will-a-9518e8a5-d9fc-4399-80ba-91355e64930d>)* via [*Autoblog*](<https://www.autoblog.com/2020/05/04/bmw-vision-m-next-production-version-canceled/?ncid=edlinkusauto00000015>), the [BMW Vision M Next](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/28675/bmw-m-will-launch-plug-in-hybrid-variant-first-offer-full-ev-after-2025>) concept "will remain a prototype. The board decided not to build it. That makes no sense in the post-corona world, explains one of the decision-makers." What's more, [*BMW Blog*](<https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/04/29/bmw-vision-m-next-hybrid-supercar-might-have-been-cancelled/>) says the project has been canceled "for some time now," citing its own insider sources. When *The Drive* reached out to BMW, a company spokesperson declined to comment.

Not surprisingly, the alleged reason behind the i8-successor's demise is cost. You don't need to be a seasoned auto industry analyst to know that high-cost, low-volume sports car ventures like this—even during the best of times—aren't all that financially rewarding. Throw in the biggest health crisis the world has seen in about a century and the decision to can the mid-engined two-seater probably seemed like a no-brainer as far as the bean counters were concerned.

![message-editor%2F1588603042978-p90355729\_highres.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1588603042978-p90355729_highres.jpg>)
**BMW**

Over the years, automakers—BMW included—have been able to cut costs on sports car development by partnering up with another manufacturer. Think Mazda's current ND Miata and the [Fiat 124](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29567/miata-based-fiat-124-spiders-days-limited-due-to-dwindling-demand-rising-costs-report>) or BMW's own [Z4-Supra arrangement](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32201/can-the-2020-toyota-supra-really-take-down-the-bmw-m2-competition>) with Toyota. There's been no indication, however, of the existence of any sort of cross-automaker collaboration when it came to the M Next.

Given the current climate, we can't honestly say we blame BMW for pulling the plug on this car. The i8, as evidenced by its so-so sales, tepid critical reception, and weak residual values, was already a hard sell, and making a case for a successor, especially in the midst of coronavirus, was likely even harder.

Shame. We were fans of the M Next's wedgy, Giugiaro-esque design. Not that the i8 looked bad, mind you, but we were kinda looking forward to driving a clean-cut, mid-engined BMW that didn't [look like a PlayStation 5 controller.](<https://www.reddit.com/r/PS5/comments/fwtv3q/dualsensei8/>)

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## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)