The i3 and i8 have paved the way with BMW for serious performance and differentiation in the brand between vehicles that are electrified. While there was recent back and forth discussions about releasing a convertible i8 model, the decision has finally come to a close and the i8 will have a convertible. but that is not all that the brand is releasing regarding their new electric platforms. Even though we don’t yet have a timeframe for when the i8 will go on sale in convertible form, BMW did give us more information regarding the direction this project has taken.
Over the next few years the direction is heading toward a sub-brad called iNEXT. This brand will focus on the evolution of the electric vehicle branding and become the place BMW tests not only their electric vehicles but places the development of the advanced mapping, autonomous driving and artificial intelligence technologies to give them a home that will be solely focused on these items. Somewhere in all this the i8 roadster will make its appearance and the car will show up as one that offers the performance we want to enjoy with the top removed and the wind in our hair.
Other developments we can expect from this new brand and new process is the update to the i3 EV even though we won’t get specifics until it’s actually an update that makes it way to the stage. Another development which can capture our attention is the idea of a plug-in hybrid Mini model that could give us a serious cool factor with an EV powertrain. There is no work yet whether this PHEV will take the shape of a Cooper, a Clubman or a Countryman, but you can be sure it will be a model that is expectedly fun to drive and will hopefully have a range the will be in line with Tesla models.
The idea with these three new models is to give the iNEXT brand more platforms to work with and a place to continue to develop the technologies mentioned. The i3 and i8 have paved the way, but adding the roaster, the updated i3 and now a Mini EV will help the process move forward at a rapid pace. It is interesting to note the differentiation between the i3 and i8 and wonder what could find its way in between these two models.
Don’t think for a second BMW hasn’t already thought about this gap. I would expect to see a sedan or sport coupe model that shows in the i5 or i4 slot size to give us a look similar to its parent partners but in EV form. With this expansion into the iNEXT brand that is set to be the research and development hub of BMW, this company is set to be the leader in the world of electric and autonomous technology and may well be the first to have fully autonomous driving on a model. The fun for us is to see exactly what BMW comes up with when it comes to this brand and the model lineup; let’s keep an eye on this.
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