Photo: Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property
The Z4 and X7 are the most important BMW models the German automaker will reveal in what remains of 2018. This brings us to 2019, the year the 8 Series Coupe will be joined by the soft-top and four-door models we already know from a design patent filed with the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property.
The biggest news, however, is that BMW will take the veils off the iNEXT in 2019. Not the real deal, but the “iNEXT Vision Vehicle” that serves as a preview for the production model. CATL from China will build its first electric-vehicle battery factory in Germany, representing a $4.7 billion deal. As for the iNEXT, the newcomer will roll out in 2021.
Turning our attention back to the 8 Series, the model range will welcome the M8 alongside the Gran Coupe and Convertible next year. The M8 will feature the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 we know and love from the M5 and M5 Competition, featuring upwards of 600 horsepower and the M xDrive system with rear-wheel drive on demand.
The Gran Coupe and Convertible, meanwhile, will share the six-cylinder turbo diesel and M850i xDrive flavors from the Coupe. There’s talk of a plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the long run, but for the time being, BMW didn’t comment on the subject. What we do know, however, is that the CLAR platform is capable of such a setup, as well as wireless charging.
In related news, Harald Kruger confirmed that BMW agreed to a 50/50 joint venture with Great Wall Motor in China to manufacture the electric MINI. Also in the Middle Kingdom, BMW will produce the iX3 electric crossover for export to every other market where the German automaker is present.
Last, but certainly not least, the chief executive officer said that Baidu would be their partner for autonomous driving technology in China. The open platform known as Apollo will serve as the building block towards Level 5 autonomy.
Turning our attention back to the 8 Series, the model range will welcome the M8 alongside the Gran Coupe and Convertible next year. The M8 will feature the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 we know and love from the M5 and M5 Competition, featuring upwards of 600 horsepower and the M xDrive system with rear-wheel drive on demand.
The Gran Coupe and Convertible, meanwhile, will share the six-cylinder turbo diesel and M850i xDrive flavors from the Coupe. There’s talk of a plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the long run, but for the time being, BMW didn’t comment on the subject. What we do know, however, is that the CLAR platform is capable of such a setup, as well as wireless charging.
In related news, Harald Kruger confirmed that BMW agreed to a 50/50 joint venture with Great Wall Motor in China to manufacture the electric MINI. Also in the Middle Kingdom, BMW will produce the iX3 electric crossover for export to every other market where the German automaker is present.
Last, but certainly not least, the chief executive officer said that Baidu would be their partner for autonomous driving technology in China. The open platform known as Apollo will serve as the building block towards Level 5 autonomy.
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