[Mani59]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/10...-to-join-range

Speculative rendering based on the newly launched F40 1 Series:



BMW's i boss reveals plans for 12 electric cars by 2023, with an electric version of the 1 Series set to arrive within the next two years

BMW bosses have exclusively revealed to Auto Express that an entry-level, electric hatchback based on the 1 Series is in the product plan. And it could be here as early as 2021.

The German firm has outlined an electrification strategy under which 12 fully electric cars and 13 plug-in hybrids will arrive in showrooms in the next four years. BMW is targeting the more premium and more profitable segments initially; the first to arrive will be the iX3 SUV, followed by the i4 saloon and then BMW’s technological flagship, the iNEXT SUV.

However, the head of BMW’s i Division, Robert Irlinger, has now suggested that BMW’s flexible vehicle architectures will allow the firm to explore the option to develop more affordable and smaller electric vehicles. “Even in the front-drive architecture you will see fully electrified cars,” he told us. “You will see electrification in our whole portfolio. We can rework our front-wheel-drive as well as the rear-wheel-drive platforms and both are able to show all technologies – our customers have the power of choice.

“Whatever they demand they can get – a plug-in hybrid X3, a fully-electric 4 Series, too. That’s a big step and a big change in our strategy.”

As previewed by our exclusive image, BMW’s strategy for its range of electric cars is to keep them visually similar to their conventionally powered counterparts. It’s expected that an electric 1 Series will simply be marked out by flashes of brighter bodywork and a blanked-off front grille.

The flexibility of the firm’s platforms will also enable BMW to offer the electric hatch with the option of two electric motors, to give four-wheel drive, or a single motor that will deliver front-drive at a lower price point.

The i4 gives a clear hint at the naming strategy, with Irlinger revealing that it will be an all-electric version of the next 4 Series Gran Coupé. “The i4 is the four-door sports sedan, fully electrified, clearly visible as an iCar,” he explained. “You can see the concept of the 4 Series as a two-door coupé and the i4 is going be the four-door coupé – it’s going to be based on the concept, but it’s fully electric.”

With the iX3 and i4 confirmed, the X5-sized iNext could be badged iX5. With that in mind, it would be logical for an electric 1 Series to wear an i1 badge and for an electric 3 Series to wear an i3 badge, but where would that leave the car that started the i brand off, the current i3?

Irlinger added fuel to the rumours that the i3 as we know it won’t be replaced. “We are not in the normal process of having a car that has to have a successor.”

[f22bub]

I mean cool but do they have to look this ugly? Why does BMW think changing the powertrain has to come with ugly design? Look at Audi & Co.
Oh man....

[Ghostriderf80]

that grill on the 1 series is not ugly. I think over time they will make it look better. So glad they are going electric.

[BossF80]

Tesla has been blowing out BMW sales of recent, this is a game changer. They need this innovative change, since you can't keep doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. I daily an I3 and weekend a F80 M3.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by f22bub

I mean cool but do they have to look this ugly?

It's just an artist's guess. However, it is a good bet that if you don't like the design of the new F40 1 Series, then you probably won't like the i1 either.

[PARTS@STBMW]

I like it!

[yousefnjr]

Dual motor is interesting news. Certainly hope that's available on i4 as well. Can't wait

[Mrgunfun]

So this is what Project i has turned into?
i3? i8? All waste of R&D money?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Mrgunfun

So this is what Project i has turned into?

This is the future, yes.

i3? i8? All waste of R&D money?

It would be too strong in my opinion to call them a complete waste since the electric drive and other technologies are continuing to be iterated on and improved for future vehicles. But the i3 CFRP architecture itself is not going to developed further, and it still remains to be seen what the future holds for the i8 platform.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by Mani59

BMW's i boss reveals plans for 12 electric cars by 2023

12 Electric cars by 2023?

Maybe BMW can start off with Five 100% Electric Cars...

That's an extremely tall order for a company that had a significant lead, and yet somehow squandered it.

[BMthusiast]

I would definitely look into one if it's available in the U.S. and gets at least 350 mi/range.

[The Choosey begger]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

12 Electric cars by 2023?

Maybe BMW can start off with Five 100% Electric Cars...

That's an extremely tall order for a company that's had such a huge lead, and somehow squandered it.

They can do it hahaha

i1 i2 i3 i4 i5 i6 i7

i2 Grand Coupe, i4 Grand Coupe, i6 Grand Coupe

i3 GT, i5 GT

ix1 ix2 ix3 ix4 ix5 ix6 ix7

They all can be based on 3 chassis a la BMW!

[MarkDemma]

I'm curious what an i2 would look like. I'm still partial to small 2 door cars. I think I'm the only one. Do they even make a 2 door hatchback anymore?

[cwulffy]

Originally Posted by f22bub

I mean cool but do they have to look this ugly? Why does BMW think changing the powertrain has to come with ugly design? Look at Audi & Co.
Oh man....

it's a "speculative rendering" for chrissake 😂

[hellrotm]

1 page...lol. So must interest.

[Weiman]

Originally Posted by MarkDemma

I'm curious what an i2 would look like. I'm still partial to small 2 door cars. I think I'm the only one. Do they even make a 2 door hatchback anymore?

A hatchback with two doors counts as three doors, at least in Europe. And no, the new 1 series is five door only.

[ghaffari46]

Didn't you guys make i8??

[matbl]

i5 touring please!