The reasons why BMW may axe its unusually-styled electric cars back for a second act may surprise you.
These days, people cannot throw outrageous sums of money at loaded luxury SUVs, trucks, and crossovers quickly enough. Automotive production lines that produce those kinds of vehicles are basically mints. Given current consumer tastes, automakers are shying away from traditional sedans and focusing on vehicles that bring in the most money. It looks like this is true for BMW as well, but it’s a little more complex than that.
Lower Gas Prices
Throw in the fact that gas prices are relatively low and the outlook becomes especially grim for electric and hybrid cars such as the i3 and i8. The German automaker juiced up the funky-looking i3 for 2017 and the i8 will sport a facelift and optional Roadster body style for 2019, but what will become of those nameplates after the newer versions of them age out?
“BMW will introduce the i4 and iNext EVs in 2020 and 2021, but the cars that kicked off BMW’s i electric subbrand — the i3 and i8 — may not have a future beyond their current generation,”said Stefan Juraschek, head of electric powertrain for BMW AG, in an interview with Automotive News. He said it’s too early tell whether or not the i3 and i8 will have successors.
Adaptability Problems
Is it because of the shakeup at the EPA over fuel economy and emissions standards? That might factor into the uncertainty, but it’s not the main cause. The primary reason why BMW may not make i3 and i8 2.0s? Their versatility.
Juraschek said, “These cars are very unique. These two cars were not [developed] as a family that we can expand in different [ways] or maybe five or 10 derivatives.”
The i3 and i8 have already served their purposes, though. The research behind them made BMW’s current electric vehicle design possible. Their futures may not be guaranteed, but one thing’s for certain: BMW is overhauling its main platforms to fit internal combustion, electric, and plug-in hybrid power plants. The new versions will be ready for production vehicles after 2021. BMW will put the hardware for electric vehicles into a modular kit that integrates with the updated architecture.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
