08 M3 Sedan 6 Speed Premium Pkg Navigation Moonroof Premium Sound 19s Pristine on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2016 BMW X1 will be second model on company's front-drive platform

BMW is putting a lot of its chips on the success of its forthcoming front-wheel drive models, and it's making a big bet on the company's future in hoping that customers will accept them. Its front-driving UKL platform is underpinning not just the current crop of Minis but a host of BMW vehicles too. The rollout starts with the 2 Series Active Tourer in Europe later this year. But the Bavarian brand confirms to Automotive News Europe that the next one is the X1 crossover, slated to come to Europe next June. It will also be joined by the X2 next summer, confirming earlier rumors about the fashionable CUV's existence.
As the previous spy photos suggest, the X1 is even smaller than the current model, and it supposedly uses the same crop of turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines as Mini. But according to Automotive News Europe, the little guy is getting an extended, three-row version for the US, Russia and China. Like with the X4 or X6, the X2 shares most of the mechanical parts with its more conventional-looking sibling but features sleeker styling.
To make all of these UKL-based models possible, BMW is sharing development among them as much as is practical. According to Automotive News Europe, the next generations of the Mini Countryman, Clubman, X1 and X2 share the same electrical systems, drivetrains and more. Adding in the Active Tourer and still mysterious Family Active Sports Tourer to the mix, and the result is a big gamble that needs to go Bimmer's way.

BMW i3 to start at $41,350*

With a week to go before the global debut of the BMW i3, BMW has announced pricing for its first-ever production electric vehicle. The all-electric version of the i3 goes on sale in the second quarter of next year with a starting price of $41,350 (*not including $925 for destination nor any applicable government tax credits).
Some of the pricing elements for the i3 that BMW continues to withhold are the cost of the model using a gasoline motorcycle engine as a range-extending generator, or that of the DC Fast Charge option. This latter feature will allow the i3's depleted lithium-ion battery pack to get an 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes; for comparison's sake, the DC quick charge feature is a $750 option on the 2014 Chevy Spark EV.
Sure, we've already driven the BMW i3, but the production version of the BMW EV - promising the interior space of a BMW 3 Series - will be unveiled next week at simultaneous ceremonies in New York, London and Beijing. Scroll down for BMW's brief press blast regarding its upcoming i3.

BMW planning to stretch i3 into i5 family hauler?

If you're sweet on the new BMW i3 but wish it had more space to carry people and stuff, we've got good news for you. According to Autocar, BMW is planning on stretching the platform that underpins the i3 to create a new model, expected to be called i5.
The stretch job would add an extra four inches of legroom in the back and another six inches of rear overhang to the benefit of cargo space. The result would create a vehicle longer than the current Mini Countryman - although the next Countryman is likely to be even larger. As Autocar points out, the process of extending the i3's composte passenger cell likely wouldn't be as difficult or cost-intensive as lengthening a conventional metal chassis, although the rear doors would need to be re-engineered.
Whether the resulting vehicle would more closely resemble a hatchback, wagon, minivan or something in between remains to be seen, however BMW is said to have already registered the nameplates i1 through i8, signalling that the possibility is at least there to add more members to its new EV family.