BMW i3 Successor to Have a More Conservative Design, Says BMW Development Boss
BMW i3 Successor to Have a More Conservative Design, Says BMW Development Boss
Will the new BMW i3 be able to maintain the same level of success as its predecessor with a more conservative design?
The next-generation BMW i3 will have a more conventional and less controversial design compared to its predecessor, according to BMW’s development boss Frank Weber. The i3 was known for its bold and polarizing design, but BMW aims to avoid that with the successor. Instead, they want to create a car that feels more like a true BMW and fits seamlessly into their lineup.
According to BMW’s development boss Frank Weber, the design of the BMW i3’s successor will be more conservative and less controversial than the original model. Weber acknowledged that the i3 had its fans, but it was also seen by some as not a true BMW. He compared it to being an outsider in a classroom. The goal for the new i3 is to avoid this and create a car that truly embodies the BMW spirit.
BMW recognizes the need to offer an affordable and compact car to the market. Weber emphasized the importance of providing customers with the best possible access to the BMW brand. The new i3 will be part of the Neue Klasse family, a lineup that aims to offer a range of electric vehicles. It will ride on BMW’s Neue Klasse electric architecture, which will be the foundation for their next-generation electric vehicles. The Neue Klasse platform will also include a sedan based on the Vision Neue Klasse concept and an SUV similar in size to the X3.
Weber hinted at the versatility of the Neue Klasse platform, stating that it can be scaled for smaller and larger vehicles. This suggests that BMW has plans to expand the lineup beyond the sedan and SUV. Weber mentioned that within two years of the Neue Klasse architecture’s debut, BMW will introduce four more models on the same platform. It remains to be seen if the successor to the i3 hatch will be one of these models.
Earlier this year, BMW committed a significant investment for its Mexican production site to prepare for Neue Klasse-based electric vehicles. The production of EVs on the Neue Klasse architecture will begin in 2025 at the Debrecen plant in Hungary, followed by production at the main plant in Munich, Germany. BMW is positioning itself for a future of electric mobility.
The BMW i3, with its unique design and carbon-tubbed construction, was a groundbreaking model for BMW. Despite its distinctive appearance, it gained a following and sold 250,000 units globally during its eight-year run. However, the i3 was retired in 2021, making way for the next-generation successor that promises a more conventional design.
- BMW plans to launch a successor to the i3 in the coming years
- The new i3 will be part of the Neue Klasse family
- It will ride on BMW’s Neue Klasse electric architecture
- The Neue Klasse platform will also include a sedan and an SUV
- Within two years, BMW will launch four more models on the Neue Klasse platform
The next-generation BMW i3 is set to feature a more conventional design that aligns with the BMW brand. It will be part of the Neue Klasse family, riding on BMW’s electric architecture. The Neue Klasse platform will provide a foundation for a range of electric vehicles, including a sedan and an SUV. BMW has ambitious plans for the platform, with four additional models expected within two years. With this new direction, BMW aims to create an electric car that appeals to a wider audience and solidifies its position as a leader in electric mobility.
