There have been many critics of BMW’s efforts in the world of electrification. At the moment, the only pure BEV that the Bavarians have is the BMW i3 and its range pales in comparison to its competitors. However, the brand is working hard on the future of electrification behind the scenes and it’s now even partnering with another brand — Jaguar Land Rover.
Both BMW and Jaguar Land Rover recognize the need to collaborate to survive in this new automotive landscape.
“The automotive industry is undergoing a steep transformation. We see collaboration as a key for success, also in the field of electrification. With Jaguar Land Rover, we found a partner whose requirements for the future generation of electric drive units significantly match ours. Together, we have the opportunity to cater more effectively for customer needs by shortening development time and bringing vehicles and state-of-the-art technologies more rapidly to market,” said Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.
At the moment, BMW is working on its Gen 5 eDrive powertrain technology. The Gen 5 eDrive is comprised of an electric motor, transmission and power electronics in one housing. Furthermore, it isn’t made using rare Earth materials, making it less expensive and less reliant on rare materials moving forward.
Not only will the Gen 5 eDrive powertrain power the upcoming BMW iX3 and BMW iNEXT but it will also be used by Jaguar Land Rover for future electric vehicles.
Don’t think that JLR won’t bring anything to the electric table, though. Jaguar is actually a bit ahead of BMW in the EV game, at least judging by the cars currently on sale. The Jaguar I-Pace is a superb electric SUV and one that manages to combine impressive range, fantastic performance and sporty handling all in a stunning looking package. In fact, the I-Pace is one of the most well-rounded EVs on the market.
This new collaboration will help keep development costs down, as developing new EV tech is extremely expensive. So the two groups can split development costs while still getting top-notch technology. More importantly is the new ability to share ideas and techniques, thus making the best EVs possible.
Unfortunately, this comes right as Jaguar’s lead designer Ian Callum stepped down. Callum is one of the absolute best automotive designers in the business and is the man responsible for all of Jaguar’s current beauties, including the I-Pace, F-Type and XJ. It would have been very cool to see a Callum-designed BMW EV. Still, Jaguar’s team is still great at designing cars, so maybe some of that will rub off on BMW.
BMW and JLR. Unusual bedfellows with historically different design and engineering cultures.
JLR have been Tata for over a decade, multi-billion dollar Indian conglomerate, they’ve already made radical changes to Jaguar. BEV are new tech., makes sense to take on new partners (Ford+VAG, Daimler+Geely, BMW+Brilliance).
Yes. We know all that.
And we also know that the Daimler Chrysler stew was not to tasty. And the Renault Nissan brew is frothy an the rumblings that blenders at Fiat Chrysler are not too happ in meshing DNA’s.
And we also know that BMW found it difficult to integrate with Jaguar Land Rover hence the separation. We also know that Tata is looking to find new step parents for Jaguar Land Rover as they are losing cash in buckets because design, operations and manufacturing DNA’s are difficult to integrate
not too tasty.
and the rumblings that blenders at Fiat Chrysler are not too happy in meshing DNAs. Inspires the question, what is your first language? And is English in the Top 10? FCA have actually just added French DNA to their blenders (sounds messy, a melange, perhaps? Or frappe if it doesn’t go well?).
If you know all that, why do you cite historically different design & engineering “cultures” (like yoghurt, or in a petri dish?), when original 328 inspired XK120 I6 & BMW similarly owned Range Rover while developing X5. There was no BMW separation or integration with JLR because it did not exist until Ford sold them to Tata (as with Aston, they were part of Ford’s disastrous PAG Premium Auto Group, where Jags were sold as Astons & Mondeos as Jags). You need to provide citations of your “facts”, Tata have issued repeated denials about any sale & WSJ has a new article stating China downturn is the issue for Jag & therefore likely temporary. Model lineups contradict your final statement as well, Jag are being used for new tech. in new segments (as will the BMW co-production), while Land Rover continue with their distinctive SUVs, I believe there is just 1 model that integrates DNA in both brands.
Funny I have both sides of the partnership, BMW kind of stalled out after the i3, so I went to Jaguar (after a brief Tesla headache). Both cars are really amazing, together I’d imagine great cars as a result.
All the manufacturers will be burning through billions of dollars changing to EV infrastructure. Many mergers and probable bankruptcies, like GM. Big 3 making all these muscle cars like in the 1970’s with the oil imbargo. The Japanese with fuel efficient vehicles took over. History is repeating itself with EV’s this time.
A midsize EV SUV that BMW is working on should be a big hit for them. USA loves SUV’s especially one that runs on sunshine as many EV owners have home solar panels.
The original, cancelled, i4 would have put Jag to shame.