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BMW's plans for next plug-in i model, due after 2020

BMW entered the fight in the green car ring with gusto thanks to the one-two punch of the i3 and the i8. However, it seems that there could be a wait ahead before the German's i sub-brand is ready to land another strike at the market. "We are still in the strategic research phase where we brainstorm," Klaus Frohlich, BMW Group development boss, said to Automotive News Europe about the future vehicle. He indicated the next new model to bear the i prefix wouldn't arrive until after 2020. Frohlich also underscored that the sub-brand's products wouldn't be based on a standard BMW product. The German brand was at one point rumored to have a model called either the i5 or i7 on the way that would have added a plug-in hybrid drivetrain to the 5 Series. Frohlich's statement would seem to invalidate that possibility. Although, there's nothing stopping the vehicle from carrying regular BMW branding in the vein of the X5 xDrive40e PHEV. The current i-badged models won't just stagnate on the market in the meantime, though. "We have a minimum 20 percent battery density improvement every three years, thus over the i3 and i8's life cycle, we will offer more performance, more range or a combination of the two," Frohlich said to Automotive News Europe. Sadly, current owners won't be able to upgrade to the improved parts, though. Rumors about a third i sub-brand model go back years with much of the talk swirling around the i5. In addition to the speculation about a 5-Series-based version, there was also supposed to be a stretched variant of the i3 with that name, possibly even with a hydrogen fuel cell version. Although, BMW claimed the vehicle was purely "hypothetical." Related Video:

2017 BMW i3 gets $1,200 price increase for new, bigger battery

The 2016 BMW i3 started at $43,395 (including the $995 destination fee). The all-electric 2017 BMW i3 with the new 94 Ah battery will start at $44,595 while the REx (Range Extender) version of the new car starts at $48,445. Both of those prices also include the destination fees. The good news is that you get a lot more electric vehicle for your EV bucks. As we learned in May, the 2017 i3 is getting a much larger battery pack than the 2016 model. Instead of a 22-kWh pack that offered 81 miles of range, the 2017 i3s have a 33-kWh pack that'll take you 114 official miles. In other words, if you only care about battery capacity, you're paying just over $100 per kWh of extra capacity for a new i3 now. Or you can look it as a 50-percent capacity increase for about a thousand dollars. Either way, the cost of more electric miles is not as expensive as it once was. Just as predicted. There will also be some new standard equipment that comes with the 2107 i3: Deka World – Interior Design Loft No Cost DC Fast ChargeNow available for 2 years Advanced Real Time Traffic Information Universal Garage Door Opener 19-inch wheels Comfort Access There are two new options as well, the Protonic Blue color and the Dark Oak Wood Trim. BMW is also offering the BMW Performance Center Driving Experience for both of its i vehicles, the i3 and the i8, to interested drivers. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 BMW i3 View 26 Photos News Source: BMW Green BMW Electric Hybrid

BMW X1 spied in the snow, on the 'Ring

The next-generation BMW X1 is moving ever closer to production, and it reportedly launches in Europe in June. With just a few months left of development, the Bavarian brand is making sure to get in as much work in as possible – as the shots above show. According to our spies, all of these pictures were taken on the same day, but BMW was running two simultaneous evaluations of the crossover in Europe. At the sunny Nurburgring, the company was doing high-speed tests on the famous track. Meanwhile in chilly Sweden, cold-weather analysis was happening. Regardless of the location, these are some of the least camouflaged X1s photographed yet. Based on the shots, it appears that BMW is evolving the compact CUV's design rather than overhauling it, but there are a few dashes of styling from the 2 Series Gran Tourer in the grille and headlights, as well. The 'Ring shots also clearly show off a panoramic sunroof. While these examples wear a lot of obfuscation at the back, it's easy to make out BMW's LED taillights. The X1 shares its UKL platform with the Gran Tourer and the latest Minis, but possibly offers all-wheel drive. It's reportedly going to be offered with a similar range of turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, as well. Related Video: Featured Gallery BMW X1 Spy Shots View 17 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Design/Style Spy Photos BMW Crossover Luxury bmw x1 ring