According to German publication Handelsblatt, BMW is preparing a 3 Series model for the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. With at least 400 kilometers autonomy, the electric 3 Series is designed as a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model 3 sedan.
The decision to offer the line as a fully electric model is seen as a direct response to the success of Tesla’s Model 3. BMW would not comment on the information.
Instead of additional fanciful, electric- and hybrid-only models such as the i3 and i8, BMW will focus on electrified versions of existing models, including another electric MINI for 2019.
An X3 electric vehicle will also go on sale in 2019.
Production of Tesla’s electric sedan is set to begin in the coming days but the company already has some 400,000 pre-orders. BMW sees their mainstream models as the perfect Tesla competitor and has recently decided to axe the i5.
Isn’t the G20 supposed to make its premiere in 2018 ? I could see some concept car but an electric 3 Series at Frankfurt this September, that doesn’t add up.
Maybe they will introduce full electric as a concept in f30 body. And complete model will be in g20.
Maybe, good way to confuse the customers though. They could also only present the powertrain
It doesn’t matter. They are already confused. :D
We’ve seen the concept X2 & 8er, why not 3er EV?
I’m definitely in favor.
Honestly, I would’ve never started with the whole i Division sub-brand thing.
My focuss would have been on a fully electric 3 Series and Mini from the start. As BMW did in a sense with the Mini E and Active E.
It must me practical too. It should be focused on different customers.Full electric 3GT (or maybe 4GT in next gen) will be perfect. But the price could be too high…
The i brand wasn’t just about making electric vehicles though, the whole concept was important for BMW. First they introduced electrification in their cars, then carbon into the chassis, and maybe next they’ll even use a more eco-friendly approach material-wise for all their cars ?
But isn’t axing the i5 in favor the X3 more or less admitting that they missed the mark?
It’s not the same type of vehicle though, they built a stylish coupe and a lifestyle city car plus they’re about to launch a roadster based on that coupe. The i5 wasn’t going to be on the same vibe, at least from what i can tell.
First thing that looks like a great news from BMW for several years related to EVs. Will be too late for my old beloved BMW 530DA replacement that will go Tesla Model X 100D this year, now I reached its €141K budget after extending my BMW life to outrageous 18 years and 320000KM,… At least as soon as Tesla clarifies its Supercharger v3 details related to current car models. Plus 3 series was not the right formfactor for me anyway, as I would consider for my next car only X6 or X4 models in today BMW range, plus this is still missing all the useful details on battery capacity and charging rates…etc . But it gives me hope that BMW will become serious before they loose all their mid-range and high-end car market to Tesla, who is currently “returning the table” in the car market, at an accelerated pace…