BMW’s plans to phase out the i3 electric car might be changing. Before Oliver Zipse took over as BMW Group CEO, the faith of the BMW i3 seemed to be set in stone – no production passed 2020. But according to a report by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the BMW i3 might get another life.
Even though no successor is planned at the moment, the new chief in Munich wants to extend the life of the company’s first ever production series EV. The report says that the lifecycle of the current i3 will be extended and, of course, the electric car will also receive another technical update during this time.
Although Zipse avoids to set a timeline for the i3, it’s likely that with a new update the life of the EV will be extended by at least a couple of years.
One reason behind this decision could be related to the recently introduced VW ID.3, a hatchback that aims to play in the same segment. The ID.3 will be available with three different battery choices: a 45 kWh battery with a maximum range of 205 miles, a 58 kWh battery with a maximum range of 261 miles, or a 77 kWh battery with a maximum range of 341 miles.
Currently, the BMW i3 120Ah has a range of 260 km (161 miles) but it can also be optioned in some markets with a Range Extender.
Next year is shaping up to be an electric one for the brand. First, the BMW iX3 will arrive as the first fully electric SUV from Munich, followed by the MINI Cooper SE. Then a series of plug-in hybrids will go in production to complement the EV range.
In 2021, BMW will introduce the i4 four-door coupe and the iNEXT crossover.
I would buy the VW over the BMW, it looks quite good, cheaper and I think it will be a very nice addition to my garage.
I like the idea of a small car to run errands with and the VW hits the sweet spot.
My main issue with the VW is that many garages in the street will also have it… It will be very common, and boring. The i3 is more rare and unique.
Agree, but I have two BMWs already and find the i3 ugly. I am likely to buy another BMW in the future if BMW gets their designs right. I love the driving sensation of BMWs over other brands except Porsche.
I am also looking at a Porsche acquisition in the near future. I have always placed Porsche above any other manufacturer I have driven ever since I test drove the 911 turbo and the Cayenne Turbo S.
Isetta, 700, 1500, 2000 Touring, 2002tii, 318ti, BMW have a long history of “ugly” small cars.
Finally, some sense at BMW has emerged.
I was also a hater, now I am completely converted and love it. On the S it’s the perfect car in the size. People should really test drive these. It’s really a joy to floor it all the time as it is cheap to run.
But black does it for me…completely blacked out or with the blue/orange accents.
You must live far north of the Mason-Dixon line.
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Regarding iX3, BMW USA is still referring to it as a Concept vehicle. No hint of plan for US availability. Also, I have seen a source that says the “X3e” will be introduced in 2020. Just what the X3e is may be the same as the iX3 or a new way of designating the X3 xDrive 30e PHEV,
If they use the X3e name, then that’s the hybrid version.
I would speculate that the trade tariff uncertainty is presenting a massive risk potential for vehicles imported from China (i.e. iX3).
Taking a step back and looking at global manufacturing, it seems very illogical that Spartanburg doesn’t have CLAR-like drivetrain versatility to also assemble the iX3 for non-Chinese markets.