The BMW i8 proved the German carmaker's capabilities in building a hybrid sportscar that is both efficient and very fast. But that wasn't enough for a few discerning customers as they sought an M performance variant of the hybrid sportscar.
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That's how Gabura Racing, a German tuner specialized in race transmissions and custom builds, created the most powerful BMW i8 - the Gabura GRT V8i. Apart from the optics and carbon passenger cell, the i8 has undergone a complete makeover. The S63 4.4-litre V8 biturbo S63Tu engine borrowed from the BMW M5 & BMW M6 and capable of delivering 600bhp, gets on-board this re-tuned BMW i8. This can be reconfigured to churn out mad figures of 700 or 800bhp (both options available). This essentially means that all the hybrid technologies on-board the i8 have been removed.
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In terms of design, the Gabura GRT V8i retains the original BMW hybrid sportscar's look but some tweaks have been made to accommodate for a larger eight-cylinder engine. Additionally, the chassis has been optimized for the race track.
Also there is a plate mounted rear axle and a new 6-speed gear box on the chassis, which makes it ideal for the track. The Gabura GRT V8i's carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and some of its other key design bits are supported by a tubular frame, making the car significantly wider than the i8. The GRT V8i also costs six times that what a standard BMW i8 costs but for any avid petrol head, this beauty just turned into a beast.
