Photo: Catalin Garmacea
With all the madness surrounding diesel engines these days, it’s pretty obvious that certain alternatives will be soon offered. In the case of BMW, most of the effort will probably fall in the hands of the i sub-brand.
The reasons are quite simple and no, they don’t include a plethora of new models from the i1 to the i10. The thing is, BMW created this division to study and develop new ways of transportation and building cars.
As a matter of fact, over the course of their research, they found that people’s commutes are usually around 50 km (32 miles) at most, including the return trip. That’s why their new hybrids offer exactly that much EV range.
Furthermore, they also invested heavily in creating electric motors, batteries and carbon-fiber bodies that would make sure cars are light and efficient on the road.
As far as entirely new models go, excluding the new plug-in hybrids (that won’t be sold under the i umbrella anyway), the i5 will be the first one to come out. Various rumors and our own source inside Munich said that work on the new car has already begun and it should be here by 2020, but that’s about it in terms of details.
At first it was believed that it will come in the shape of a sedan, a proper rival for Tesla’s Model S. Seen as a sort of savior for BMW enthusiasts that are drooling at the performance and range of the American model, the i5 might actually come out in a different body style altogether, according to Motor.es that claims it will be a crossover instead.
Working in favor of this rumor is the recent trend in worldwide sales that has seen the SUV/Crossover fever increase tenfold. It’s not a coincidence that ultra-luxury brands are bringing their own challengers in this guise, such as the Bentley Bentayga, Maserati Levante, Lamborghini Urus and even the new Rolls-Royce.
Furthermore, the BMW wouldn’t be left without a rival from Tesla as we’re about to witness the unveiling of the Model X, which is, surprise surprise, an SUV. Therefore, there could be some truth to this claim, but we reckon it’s all too early to be sure of anything.
That’s because the timeframe (if the car comes out in 2020) would imply that right now, the designers are still trying to come up with a final shape and the decision could still be on the ropes. What would you prefer, though?
As a matter of fact, over the course of their research, they found that people’s commutes are usually around 50 km (32 miles) at most, including the return trip. That’s why their new hybrids offer exactly that much EV range.
Furthermore, they also invested heavily in creating electric motors, batteries and carbon-fiber bodies that would make sure cars are light and efficient on the road.
As far as entirely new models go, excluding the new plug-in hybrids (that won’t be sold under the i umbrella anyway), the i5 will be the first one to come out. Various rumors and our own source inside Munich said that work on the new car has already begun and it should be here by 2020, but that’s about it in terms of details.
At first it was believed that it will come in the shape of a sedan, a proper rival for Tesla’s Model S. Seen as a sort of savior for BMW enthusiasts that are drooling at the performance and range of the American model, the i5 might actually come out in a different body style altogether, according to Motor.es that claims it will be a crossover instead.
Working in favor of this rumor is the recent trend in worldwide sales that has seen the SUV/Crossover fever increase tenfold. It’s not a coincidence that ultra-luxury brands are bringing their own challengers in this guise, such as the Bentley Bentayga, Maserati Levante, Lamborghini Urus and even the new Rolls-Royce.
Furthermore, the BMW wouldn’t be left without a rival from Tesla as we’re about to witness the unveiling of the Model X, which is, surprise surprise, an SUV. Therefore, there could be some truth to this claim, but we reckon it’s all too early to be sure of anything.
That’s because the timeframe (if the car comes out in 2020) would imply that right now, the designers are still trying to come up with a final shape and the decision could still be on the ropes. What would you prefer, though?
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