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BMW plans i5 as a useful EV for families

BMW has the often-rumored i5 under development as the next member of its i sub-brand. While the work isn't done yet, look for the future model to be an electric vehicle to appeal to families. To fit the mainstream purpose, BMW's engineers plan to give the new product a long driving range and useful cargo capacity, i product boss Henrik Wenders told Car and Driver. In the brief interview, Wenders shoots down many previous rumors about the i5. For example, he says the model is an EV – not hydrogen fueled or a plug-in hybrid like previous reports claim. However, BMW plans to offer an optional range extender like it does for the i3. "The range-extender plays an important part in the next years when range remains a limiting factor and a source of anxiety," said Wenders. Without saying so directly, the exec also seems to suggest the division wouldn't use the platform from the long-wheelbase 5 Series for the i5, which some reports allege. Instead, Wenders sees the sub-brand as pushing BMW's technological prowess with tech like the current model's extensive use of carbon fiber. According to Wenders, "One of i's roles is as an enabling brand, to help industrialize new materials and processes. We have already opened the door with the i3, and we will take it from there." BMW's EV boss told Autoblog in early 2014 that the company already had the new vehicle under development, but the automaker later denied that claim. With the current lineup, the i3 excels in urban environments, and the i8 is a sports coupe. The next natural step is to offer more room and greater range with the i5. Given the upcoming EV boom from models like the Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Model 3, and next-gen Nissan Leaf, we're very curious to see BMW's effort to stay competitive in the segment. Related Video:

BMW i8 could get 300-hp, 2.0L turbo-four

First and foremost, the long-rumored, high-performance BMW i8 will not be called the i8 M. While the lack of an M badge might be a disappointment, it's fair to say the performance of the new model likely won't be. AutoExpress claims BMW is developing a new 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder that will take the place of the i8's three-cylinder engine. Offering an even 300 horsepower, up from the current car's 228, total system power would sit around 450 ponies, thanks to the extra cylinder. The electric system won't be fettled with, though. If that still sounds modest, it's because it is – AE's source claims the i8 could handle another 300 hp. BMW would also make a concerted effort to at least maintain the current i8's weight, even with the extra heft of the 2.0-liter turbo to deal with. AutoExpress's source claims that BMW could skip the paint on certain exterior carbon-fiber elements while also offering a more focused, minimalist cabin to save even more weight. According to AE, this new model should arrive as early as 2016, which could result in a debut in Frankfurt this September, Los Angeles in November, or even Detroit, in January.

Popular Science magazine's Best Of What's New 2012 all ate up with cars

Popular Science has named the winners in its Best of What's New awards, the victors coming in the categories of aerospace, automotive, engineering, entertainment, gadgets, green, hardware, health, home, recreation, security and software. The automotive category did not go wanting for lauded advancements:
Tesla Model S: the Grand Award winner for being "the standard by which all future electric vehicles will be measured."
BMW 328i: it's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gets called out for being more powerful and frugal than the six-cylinder it replaces.