Skip to main content

BMW’s ‘i NEXT’ model will be the firm’s ‘spearhead of innovation’ by 2020

Yesterday, we reported that BMW plans to add two, larger battery versions of its i3 model to its i-Series range. Now it appears the EV lineup will expand in other ways as well, starting in 2018.

Autocar is reporting that both a roadster version of the i8 sports car (which has been teased several times by now) and something called the i NEXT will roll out in the coming years. As recent as the Consumer Electronics Show in January, BMW showed a concept version of the i8 Roadster and in 2018, the production version will be revealed.

Recommended Videos

The final product should look very similar to the original 2012 concept and the doorless version that was shown at CES. Expect performance and technical specifications to match the coupe i8, meaning a 1.5-liter three-cylinder will be paired with an electric motor for a combined 357 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph run of less than 4.5 seconds.

Following the i8 Roadster’s introduction, BMW will reveal the i NEXT, which has been described as the “new spearhead of innovation and technology,” by BMW board member Harald Kruger. “It will enable us to take BMW i to the next level,” said Kruger. Though that doesn’t tell us much in the way of specifics, Kruger went on to mention that it will include autonomous driving functions, connectivity features, lightweight build materials, and the next generation of “electro-mobility.”

“With BMW i, we have managed to very quickly create a globally known brand that embodies sustainability, Kruger remarked. “Since its introduction in 2013, we have delivered more than 50,000 BMW i vehicles to customers. Today, the BMW i lineup has a larger market presence than any other electric vehicle. BMW i assumes a key role as an enabler for our BMW core brand: BMW i attracts new customers to BMW.”

As for the rest of BMW’s lineup, the electric powertrains which are being used in i Series models will soon be incorporated in hybridized versions of standard BMW models. Starting this July, seven BMW models will be available as full EVs or plug-in hybrids.

Stay tuned for our New York Auto Show coverage where we’ll interview BMW executives about the future of its i Series.

Miles Branman
Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…
The all-electric BMW i7 is a home theater on wheels
Front three quarter view of the 2023 BMW i7.

BMW is no stranger to electric vehicles. It launched the quirky i3 hatchback in 2014, and followed it up more recently with the i4 and iX. But now BMW is making its flagship vehicle electric.

The BMW 7 Series is the automaker’s biggest, most opulent sedan, and for the 2023 model year, it gets a redesign that includes a first-ever electric variant. The 2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 (to use its full name) will start shipping to U.S. dealerships in November alongside gasoline 7 Series models (a hybrid version will arrive later as well).

Read more
Digital iPhone car keys expand to 2022 Genesis, Kia models
Apple Digital Car Key

Apple introduced a digital car key feature in iPhones in 2020, but the list of supported brands has been stagnant ever since. Now, some of the latest Genesis and Kia models are compatible with the much-requested feature. The 2022 Genesis G90, 2022 Genesis GV60, and 2022 Kia Niro all allow iPhone owners to use their devices in place of car keys.

Apple's official list of vehicles compatible with CarPlay and digital car keys was updated this week to reflect their inclusion, but it's still unclear if the feature is readily available for all of those vehicle owners or if it's being slowly rolled out. A Kia spokesperson told MacRumors that more information regarding digital key availability will arrive "in the coming weeks."

Read more
Intel’s budget Core i3-12100 outperformed AMD’s Ryzen 5 3600 in many games
Render of Intel Alder Lake chip.

The Intel Alder Lake generation of processors is expanding, adding entry-level options into the mix. One such processor is the budget Core i3-12100.

The CPU has been benchmarked in several games, giving an accurate portrayal of its gaming prowess. It was also tested against the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU. Surprisingly, the entry-level option from Intel managed to defeat its AMD rival.

Read more