BMW News: Rumorpile: BMW Changes Plans Again

[William Maley]

BMW appears to be making a number of changes to future plans once again. According to a report from Automobile Magazine, a number of BMW i models have been canned. They include a proposed i9 flagship sedan (replaced by a slightly smaller i7 sedan), the i5 which was supposed to arrive in 2023, and an even larger version of the i3. Other plans that reportedly been canceled include a supercar plan with McLaren and new vehicle architecture with Diamler.

The situation is somewhat worse at Mini. Automobile said plans for a joint development of a new small car platform with Toyota have fallen through. It was expected this platform would have underpin the next-generation Mini Cooper. According to some sources, BMW is working a deal with Chinese automaker Great Wall about developing a new platform for Mini.

Other details from Automobile's report,

• The follow-up to the i3 will be renamed the iX1
• Plans are being drawn up for an electric version of the next Rolls-Royce Ghost
• There is talk about a new model that "defines the BMW brand in the 21st century." It could be a reskin of the i8 with bigger batteries and a turbo-four; keeping the i8's central structure and adding new front and rear ends, along with a four-cylinder; or designing a new model that will feature the choice of three different electric motors and either 3.0L inline-six or a V8 engine with 600 horsepower

Source: Automobile Magazine

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[David]

Sounds like due to China EV push that BMW is needing to hook up with a home grown company and built their EV product line from China focus and push it out to the world, I also bet that Toyota was probably more on the line for a heavy lift for Mini and BMW did not like the cost. 

Interesting times we live in! 

[smk4565]

This isn't hard to figure out, build electric sedans in small and medium size that look like any other 3 or 5 series.  Build compact, small and medium size electric crossovers.   The i3 is hideous looking, the i8 only looks remotely good because it is a mid engine super car, but compared to other mid-engine super cars it is ugly too.  

You know why the Electric Mercedes SUV looks like a GLC body with a LED grille vs some weird spaceship lookin car?  Because people buy GLC's and GLE's and they don't buy i3's or i8's.