BMW’s ‘i’ brand is all about making extremely green performance machines; an approach that is an exact opposite of what their M department stands for. So it is highly unlikely for them to mix the two branches and make an M version of the i8 hybrid sports car.

But maybe they should, because as shown here in these unofficial renderings, a BMW i8 M would be quite a looker.

The i8 has been given a fairly prominent carbon fiber front spoiler and larger air intakes at the front, a front grille that appears to be borrowed from the M4, carbon side skirts and mirror caps, and an M rear apron with the signature quad tailpipe design. It’s also been lowered and fitted with large M wheels.

Mechanically, BMW i8 M could swap its brilliant hybrid powertrain for a more efficient version of the M3/M4’s twin-turbo straight-six engine. This frankly is why we think the i8M will never happen. That hybrid system – consisting of a three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor – is what defines the i8’s character. And as good as it is for a hybrid, it is in no way M-worthy.

Renderings by X-Tomi for CarThrottle