BMW is billing this as a Tesla killer for good reason. Buried in the Innovations Days release earlier this week was some light information on a eDrive (plugin hybrid) 5 GT with torque “well into the four digits”. The concept is meant to show the upper end of BMW’s new plug-in hybrid architecture we previewed last spring with the X5 eDrive. The plug and play design of the drivetrain allows for a range of power output from 250 to 650 hp.

While the 5 GT shown here pumps out somewhere near the upper end of that range, there’s also a massive weight penalty considering the turbo inline six, electric motor, all wheel drive and batteries housed in an already hefty shell. However as a concept it’s incredibly interesting given the rumors of a hot i8 for the 2016 model year. Imagine a relatively svelte carbon fiber and aluminum sports car based on the i8 with somewhere over 500 hp and gobs of torque on tap from the very tip-in of the throttle. Not a bad way to celebrate BMW’s 100 year birthday is it?

Or perhaps more interesting imagine a 600 HP version under the hood of the next generation M5 and M6. Both seem more than plausible given this prototype’s polish.