BMW Is Not Developing Replacements For The i8 And i3

BMW is set to ditch the i8 and i3 as we know them, integrating its i electric car sub-brand into its mainstream model ranges instead.

According to reports, BMW believe that the i range will have served its marketing and brand-building purpose at the end of the two models’ current life cycles. Following an interview with BMW executives, Autocar said that:

“At the end of their life cycles, their jobs will be considered done, which is why replacements are not formally in development or in BMW’s product plan.”

Interesting electric cars won’t be forgotten. Replacements for the two i-cars aren’t in formal development, but the i division will carry on building one or two bespoke cars for ‘specific demands’. Normally, though, they will work much more closely with the firm’s regular engineering teams, both on electric saloons and a newly-trademarked set of SUV model names.

BMW has just been granted protection for the names iX1 all the way to iX9, suggesting it has plans for a full suite of electric SUVs in the future. It trademarked the monikers i1 to i9 three years before the i3 was officially launched.

The Munich-based company also owns the rights to the designations E1 to E9. The company expects to launch some 11 electric models by 2025.

Source: Autocar