BMW i8 to Move (Silently) Forward Without M Variant

Even if you're not a super spy sent on a mission your superiors deem impossible, you should still be interested in the upcoming 2014 BMW i8. Besides showing off its extremely exotic styling, the i8 features a plethora of exciting technology that's put to use to provide a compelling and sure-to-be-exciting driving experience.

Not only that, it's capable of doing all of this while spitting out zero emissions because it's a plug-in hybrid-electric car. It wasn't always going to be solely an electric machine, however, as there was talk of an M-variant that would change the car from silently mean and green to wicked loud and gasoline swilling.

Rumor had it that the i8 M, M8, 8M, ...car would feature either an eight or ten-cylinder engine. Now though it seems any plan for a fuel-only version has been put to rest, according to CAR.
Still, there's a whole lot to get excited about with the 2014 BMW i8. Yes it will be offered with a torque-vectoring powertrain, but the i8 driver will also be able to switch between a zero-emissions front-drive mode, a rear-wheel-drive mode, or an all-wheel-drive mode. If you want to cruise along silently, you can run the BMW i8 for up to 20 miles without requiring help from the 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine.

A more electrifying idea is to run both the electric and gasoline engines at the same time. This way you make full use of the available 393 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Mash the throttle in this mode and the run from 0-60 miles per hour should happen in well under five seconds. Keep that go-pedal pushed and you will eventually run into the 156 mile per hour top speed.

Courtesy of Motor Authority