BMW i Range Will Not Get SUV, Says Report

BMW’s i range currently consists of just two models: the city-oriented i3 and the much sportier profiled i8, and the manufacturer has trademarked all names from i1 to i9, with the stated intention to use all of them. However, as CarAdvice of Australia reports, none of those badges will adorn the tailgate of an SUV, as it has been deemed unfit for the profile of the green sub-brand, and thus one won't be made.

They recently spoke with the manager for the i3 project, Roland Kowalski, who explained that “the thing with the SUVs is nobody, more than 90 per cent, needs four-wheel drive for the city. The SUV trend is only a thing about the space or the roominess.”

He argued that the i3 offers just as much interior space as a 3-Series, while sitting on the same wheelbase as a 1-Series hatchback.

Another statement was made by BMW’s vice-president of functional integration and driving dynamics, Jos van As, who commented on the naming policy:

“If you start with i1, what do you do if you want to make a smaller car? A 0.5?” he said, completing the idea with “I think they did it to leave space for something if we want to do something different. And that’s something we’re developing. With the separate i [brand] we take a very deliberate step in one direction if the world is moving towards less emissions, [problems with] petrol availability, etc.”

Is this good or bad news? Would you have been intrigued by the prospect of (say) a purpose-built all-electric or range extender SUV with a BMW badge? I know I won’t miss it…

By Andrei Nedelea

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AutoExpress Reviews BMW i3, Says It's a Really Desirable EV

There has been a lot of hype about the BMW i3 lately, and for good reason. It’s BMW’s first series production electric car as well as the smallest model it makes with the blue and white roundel logo. Furthermore, it has a carbon fiber body and it kicks off the BMW i sub-brand. So what’s it like to drive?

We’ve already featured a video review of the i3 from a German blogger, but this latest one comes from AutoExpress. The handling is described as pretty good thanks to the rear-wheel-drive setup, 50/50 weight distribution and the low center of gravity. However, it’s not the sort of BMW one would want to go drifting with.

The reviewer points out the hot-hatch-like acceleration, as well as the quality of the interior. Overall, the car is described as a really desirable electric vehicle, which is not something one can say about the Nissan Leaf, for example.

Probably the most important thing in this review is the range test. The reviewer wanted to see if BMW’s claimed driving range is attainable. Scroll down to watch the video to find out if it is.

By Dan Mihalascu

VIDEO

BMW Reportedly Planning i5 EV, Inspired by Tesla Model S’ Success

We learn from a report published by WhatCar that BMW is reportedly looking into the possibility of making a mid-range i5 model to sit in between the i3 electric city car and the larger and much sportier i8 plug-in hybrid.

Apparently, coming from “a senior BMW source,” the tip is a fully-credible one, though even if it does turn out to be accurate, don’t expect to see an i5 on sale any time soon – they haven’t even decided if it’s to be a crossover or sedan.

The idea was sparked by the surprising success of the Tesla Model S, as well as the numbering gap in their “i” range, witch jumps from 3 to 8… Joking aside, this model is thoroughly plausible, though not as a full EV, and not necessarily in sedan form.

The source speculates that this i5 may take the form of an X4-esque model, fashioned extensively out of CFRP (carbon-reinforced plastic) and maintain a rear-wheel drive approach, staying in-line with the rest of the range.

We can’t speculate; it may be years before we follow this up, but don’t be surprised if BMW eventually announces and starts teasing something along the lines of what was described here, but from an enthusiast’s perspective, I hope it’s a sedan, for obvious handling- and sportiness-enhancing properties of the lower and lighter body.

Still, turning the idea into a Tesla Model X rival isn’t a bad idea either, especially since the American model, when it does arrive in showrooms, will have no immediate mainstream threat…

By Andrei Nedelea

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