[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Next BMW i model not due until after 2020

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A report from Automotive News indicates that the next BMW i model won't be introduced until after 2020.

Exactly what model that will turn out to be is still being decided. "We are still in the strategic research phase where we brainstorm," BMW Group R&D chief Klaus Froehlich told Automotive News. "Teams that start with a white sheet of paper. They talk with customers, hold workshops, then present their ideas and we decide."

Whatever it turns out to be, it won't be a re-packaged existing model. Froehlich said that the mission of the i subbrand is to change the perception of how a low-emissions car should look and perform, therefore there are no plans to re-package an existing BMW Group model and call it an i model.

In the meantime, BMW will continue to improve the i8 and i3. "We have a minimum 20 percent battery density improvement every three years, thus over the i3 and i8’s life cycle, we will offer more performance, more range or a combination of the two," Frohlich said.

Unfortunately, current i8 and i3 owners won't benefit from the more powerful electrical powertrains. "I don’t think a retrofit makes sense. When better batteries are available, we could then offer models with a longer range or with the same range but at a lower price." says Frohlich. He added that replacing the batteries is very complex because they are integrated and bonded into the chassis.

[Deluxx3]

Maybe a self driving car? You never know...

[chrisny]

Well that's disappointing. Was hoping there would be a Tesla model S competitor sooner than that.. Or at least something around 3 series size.

[Schm]

I don't want to again be that guy, but is BMW really so narrow minded versus Tesla that they didn't plan in advance to be able to perform battery swaps and replacements in the future? Tesla already has this capability. What about if somebody's battery is malfunctioning or goes dead? How does BMW perform a battery swap on them?

[JS919]

Originally Posted by Schm

I don't want to again be that guy, but is BMW really so narrow minded versus Tesla that they didn't plan in advance to be able to perform battery swaps and replacements in the future? Tesla already has this capability. What about if somebody's battery is malfunctioning or goes dead? How does BMW perform a battery swap on them?

Individual cells can be replaced if they are malfunctioning. I think the intent to the statement about replacing batteries is more along the lines of retrofitting an upgrade.

Not to mention the battery has a 8 year 100,000 mile warranty. I don't think they'll replace the whole car if the battery has failed prior to the warranty expiring.

Skip to 1:40 in this video for details on the i3 battery. http://www.forbes.com/video/3958851958001/

[-c-]

Yea don't get the whole "bonded to the chassis" remark... It was stated a while ago that the i3 batteries where of a modular design. And upgradable Unless he was talking about something else. Maybe about the i8 vs i3. Have no idea. Plus OEM's can change their mind on a daily basis. They have said things and a few years later completely reversed their decision.

I figure buy with what you need now and if it becomes available later great! If not no harm no fowl. I'd never buy a car with what the OEM planed assumptions on it in the future, as that shit changes more than the weather, it fits my needs now and therefor I purchased an i3 if larger capacity batteries do show up and are retrofittable later then fantastic if not oh well.

the i program was more for R&D to use on their current fleet of cars as they keep getting more bloated and heavy with each new model.

The carbon will help curb some of that weight.

Don't know about Teslas future either as their strapped with billions in debt and not even making a profit on their cars yet to curb the interest their accruing from the debt . They better get releasing the cheaper cars soon otherwise many investors may start to pull the plug ! Their stock is also suffering from what I hear.

I hope I'm wrong, they make a fine product and it be a shame for them to fail but they have to start making a profit sooner or later.

[Pauleebe]

Disappointed there will be no competitor to Tesla's offering.

[Diver]

If the battery can't be replaced, what do you do when it wears out?

[Anderw]

Seems like this could be a good thing , at least I take it that way, the i8 is a pretty good start if they are planning to make more performance oriented low emission cars, taking 5 years to let technology develop seems better then pumping out new i models as fast as they can with little to no improvement

[Anderw]

Originally Posted by Diver

If the battery can't be replaced, what do you do when it wears out?

Also had this thought

Could be a major design flaw , or maybe not Im not a engineer lol

[EzequielR]

Originally Posted by kwsw

Also had this thought

Could be a major design flaw , or maybe not Im not a engineer lol

+1 i think this may be a design flaw, but as you said. We aren't engineers. Lol

[crawfordbay]

Originally Posted by Diver

If the battery can't be replaced, what do you do when it wears out?

I guess the i8 will make a good museum piece for collectors in 25 years, but God forbid they want to drive it. Even if it does move at all, the range will probably be worthlessly short. Like an old iPhone. :

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

Disappointed there will be no competitor to Tesla's offering.

I'm sure there will be, just not until at least 2020, apparently....

[chrisny]

Off the ledge guys, they didn't build a car that is worthless once the battery craps out. Saying a retrofit doesn't make sense because the battery is built in doesn't mean it CAN'T be replaced, it means it likely won't be replaced with a newer technology. Newer battery tech could also mean different shapes and sizes, not just better. May not even fit and isn't worth the investment (and cannibalization of new car sales) to retrofit the new battery in old cars. At least that is the assumption the guy is making at this point in time, and it makes sense.

That doesn't mean it cannot or will not be replaced by the same battery if one or more of the cells fail. Quite the opposite, thus the warranty, like JS919 said. You're talking about a $100k+ car, not a disposable flashlight. No one is buying an i8 not even an i3 and just living with the risk it could be forever useless any given day.

[Das Johnson]

Bummer

[Jay-K]

Looked to futuristic to be developed.

[nsousa]

So this really confirms that apple is going to build a car. Apple will buy the I brand from BMW and they will rename it to apple Car

[BimmerVinyl]

Well than this diminishes the rumor about an i8M or i8s for 100 year anniversary. Could BMW be going real supercar?