BMW will expand their “i” EV range with an SUV.
This is according to Auto Express magazine who spoke to BMW board member Ian Robertson.
“Legislation means we’ll inevitably have more zero emissions cars,” said Robertson, “and we’re exploring more i models, although no firm decisions have been made yet.”
Given the continuing growth of the SUV segment around the world – and in the very lucrative Chinese market – the smart money would be on the next i being an i5 SUV.
It will therefore feature such i-isms as lightweight carbon-fibre is the chassis and all-electric power with a range expected to easily top 200 miles (320 km).
Robertson was keen to stress that i was more about technology than specifically electric power though EV tech is developing rapidly these days with the likelihood of longer-lasting and lighter solid state batteries replacing lithium-ion as the next-generation power sources. BMW recently announced unveiled to the i3’s battery pack, that will increase the range from 100 miles (160 km) to 130 km taking the range of the full EV model from less than 100 miles to around 130 miles (208 km).