After years of rumors and speculations, BMW might have found its next sub-compact electric future. According to a report by Motor.es, a BMW i1 is being considered as the new generation of the German compact. It’s been five years since the BMW i3 hit the market and about four years since the hybrid i8 plug-in sports arrived, and since then, except the expected i8 Roadster, there have been no new models added to the electric brand.
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With the i3 not having a successor, a future i1 would become the new-entry level EV offered by BMW. The i1 model will benefit from the new electrical architecture based on the UKL, which will be larger than the current i3 and smaller than the new generation of the BMW 1 Series.
The i1 would share the propulsion scheme with the MINI electric, along with the engine placed in front and the traction to the front axle maintaining its front-drive configuration. It’s expected to have a similar power output as the MINI electric.
With the new electric MINI already in development, the future i1 will offer a wide interior space but not within a format of minivan, but rather a five-door body with a design more focused on the family. Yet, no specific design details are available at the moment so the rendering seen here it’s simply a Photoshop exercise.
The GOOD, will not be based on an SUV.
The BAD, front wheel drive, and a steel body.
The i3 would still be superior to both replacements, especially the i3 REX solution.
Non-SUV with steel body and all the electronics and mechanics stuffed into the front will greatly reduce the cost of the result. So one could expect a 150-180hp model with prices in the same range as BMW 120i automatic 5-door, so around 30-34k€ (including taxes). Or the first model might be made in a higher power (like 350hp) all wheel drive mode, like M140i xDrive for similar 50k€ price. All depends on manufacturing cost estimates market research on what exactly people want to buy.
People buy compact SUVs and the i3 is closer to that class then this hot hatch-like shite.
Needs two motors, AWD.
Agreed, at least as an option, ideally with RWD bias. And it needs to be brought to the US.
Makes sense for AWD as an option. But BMW & Merc have taken RWD away from entry level cars. Any model below 3 series and C Class are, or will be, equipped with FWD.
It’s based on next gen 1 series so it’s entry level and very compact. 2 motors and AWD mechanism will raise cost and cause weight increase, so won’t be done on this car.
What’s the point is posting the same pic twice?
be
So you can see better what a dumb photoshop shite it is.
Garbage FWD. Set it on fire and let it burn to the ground.