BMW has revealed what the future holds for its ‘i’ sub-brand during its Annual Accounts Press Conference 2016 in Munich.
The least surprising of the news is that the popular mid-engine BMW i8 plug-in hybrid will receive a droptop variant dubbed the i8 Roadster. The model’s arrival was signalled by the debut of the BMW i Vision Future Interaction concept at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January.
BMW has yet to confirm any details, however sources say the i8 Roadster’s performance will mirror that of the hardtop i8. The same 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor will be present delivering a total output of 357bhp, resulting in a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds and top speed of 155 mph.
A new BMW i3 is also on the way. The hybrid will again be available with either a hybrid powertrain with a range-extending gas engine or a pure electric powertrain, both of which will benefit from 50% more battery capacity.
Finally, BMW revealed the next all-new model to come from its i brand, the BMW i NEXT. Not much is known about the car, however BMW chairman Harald Kruger said it “will cover all aspects relevant for future cars, including autonomous driving, digital connectivity and intelligent lightweight construction as well as the next generation of electro-mobility.”
