BMW i8 'Tiger' Prototype Unveiled After Years of Anticipation
Images of a modified BMW i8, codenamed 'Tiger', have finally surfaced after years of anticipation. The car, never put into production, was enhanced by ALPINA with a more powerful engine, wider hips, and a striking carbon-fiber rear wing.
The 'Tiger' i8 boasts a significant power boost, with a combined output of 455 hp and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). This increase necessitated additional intercoolers and a new eight-speed Aisin gearbox, originally used in the M135i. Despite the enhancements, the car gained at least 100 kg (220 pounds), requiring further crash testing and pushing production costs higher.
The project's complexity and uncertainty ultimately led to its cancellation. The modified i8 was to feature a quad-exhaust setup and wider skirts, but the company behind these alterations remains unspecified. The prototype serves as a reminder of the potential that went unrealized.
The 'Tiger' i8 prototype, with its impressive power upgrade and striking aesthetics, is a testament to what could have been. Despite never entering production, it stands as a symbol of ALPINA's innovative spirit and BMW's willingness to explore performance boundaries.
