An electric version of the BMW BMW X3 will join three other new models in BMW's future electric line-up, which will also include EV versions of the seventh-generation 3 Series, the BMW X4 and the Mini Cooper hatchback.
BMW CEO Harald Krüger said the electric X3 would arrive in 2020, close to a year after the electric Mini.
This information comes days after the newspaper Handelsblatt, citing sources close to Krüger, said the German car maker has developed a new model strategy that will result in a selected number of regular production models being offered with pure-electric drive systems. This is part of a push to head off competition from Tesla as well as BMW's traditional premium brand rivals, which include Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.
BMW’s first new electric models are reportedly scheduled to be sold from the end of 2018, alongside dedicated electrically propelled models from the i brand, including the recently upgraded BMW i3.
The move to add electrically powered versions of the 3 Series, X4 and Mini Cooper to its line-up can be seen as an admission by BMW that its earlier strategy of basing dedicated i brand models around expensive carbonfibre and aluminium platforms as a means of reducing weight over traditional steel structures hasn't been a success.
Together with carbonfibre development company SGL, BMW has invested heavily in raising global carbonfibre production to meet the volumes required for the production of the i3 and the i8 hybrid sportscar.
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Mr Sparky
i3 Range and battery tech
The i3, leaf, Zoe and Model S are all great cars IMO. To drive i found the i3 and Tesla offered the best driving experience and i personally find the i3's design very appealing and well thought out. I had a family that was very sceptical about both EV's and the i3 and after 2 months ownership they are complete converts. My wife has been won over not by the 'usual' EV benefits but by the driving experience (fast) and by the silence :)
The number 3
Don't bet against BMW...
It hasn't been confirmed the architecture for the new electric 3 so don't dismiss the idea that BMW have engineered for a pure electric version either...and if so...I'd bet it will handle the twisties better than a tesla model 3...
Time will tell...
PS..I have an i3 and it is superb. A thoroughly engineered EV with very stable range.
emmm more advanced. Really on par with the Leaf
emmm not sure of your scientific prove, the 20 year thing is a bit laughable really. I'm glad you like your i3 though as I'm known on this site as an EV fan
Range
Range