BMW plotting electric SUV?
Sedan and SUV models could be in store for BMW's electric 'i' car line-upBMW plans to expand its range of ultra-frugal electric and hybrid vehicles, which kicks off with the i3 city car, on sale in Australia from July 2014.
Speaking at the local debut of the BMW i3 in Melbourne, BMW Australia Managing Director Phil Horton told motoring.com.au that although the i3 city car and i8 supercar are expected to sell in very limited quantities, they point towards BMW's plans for an electrified future.
"Certainly we have been told to expect more i products," stated Horton.
"You would potentially imagine there might be a sedan, although in many parts of the world, not only in Australia, the conventional shape of a market is more dynamic now with different concepts coming in, so it could be an SUV," Horton mused.
"There will be future vehicles in the BMW i brand," added Horton, "Clearly this very much indicates the way we are going forward."
The prestige German car maker's strategy to develop its 'i' sub-brand of electric and hybrid vehicles is understood to be well advanced. The company has already trademarked the names i1 through i9, but it's plan differs from rivals such as Audi and Volkswagen, which will offer hybrid and electric versions of its regular vehicles.
Cases in point, the Audi A3 eTron, due in Australia in 2015, and the e-Golf, an electric Volkswagen Golf not yet confirmed for Australia. Both cars will look largely identical to their regular petrol-powered cousins.
While BMW does have plans to develop some mainstream plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as the X5 PHEV, the company believes its strategy of a futuristically-designed sub-brand of cutting-edge electric and range-extending hybrid vehicles is the best way forward, particularly in regards to its desire to be a technology innovator.
BMW Australia's Managing Director also noted that the design breakthroughs being pioneered in its 'i' cars, such as the use of light weight materials (carbon-fibre reinforced plastics), advanced aerodynamics and even infotainment, will trickle down to regular and performance models.
"A lot of the technology that is in these cars we will start to see coming very shortly to cars in the BMW range," stated Horton.
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