Autocar October 17, 2018

BMW’S BOLD ELECTRIFICATION strategy, led by the i4 (p8), is another example of a major car firm’s commitment to the technology and, you might think, a victory for the EU and its recently tightened emissions targets. It’s fair of the EU to assume the industry will only respond to a regulatory stick: the push to electrification is several years late and largely in response to Dieselgate and China’s tough CO2 targets. But the move to EVs is gathering pace – apparently enough for the UK government to feel it can cut back the regulatory carrot of grants for buyers. That seems short-sighted, and I’d argue the EU’s tighter emissions standards are too. A better move would be investing in improving the charging network so it’s fit for the new generation…

“BMW will introduce up to five dedicated i models by the end of 2021” BMW is doubling down on its plans to expand its dedicated range of electric-powered i models with a four-door coupé-style i4 saloon due by 2021. The expansion of the EV sub-brand follows a ruling by the EU to enforce a fleet average CO2 emission reduction of 35% for 2030. The ruling, which effectively spells an end to the combustion engine as a sole source of propulsion for high-volume cars sold in Europe by the end of the next decade, was expected by BMW’s top management. They initiated an acceleration in the development of both long-range plug-in hybrids and pure-electric models in a board meeting held earlier this year. Speaking to Autocar at the recent Paris motor…

BMW’s sales of electrified models have increased rapidly in the past two years. In January 2017, it registered 5232 plug-in vehicles globally, but that figure had more than doubled to 13,271 by December. The company has registered on average more than 10,000 electrified models a month in 2018. These registrations are more significant viewed as a percentage of BMW’s total sales figures. In January 2017, this was an unremarkable 3.2%, but this August, it was 6.7%. Surprisingly, the most popular plug-in BMW Group model in 2017 was the all-electric i3 – a car that has been in showrooms since 2013 and failed to meet targets for many of its years on sale. A total of 31,482 were registered in 2017, nearly double the number in 2014. Despite this, BMW still…

The next-generation BMW M3 – due for launch in 2020 – is expected to use an extensively updated version of BMW’s twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six engine producing around 465bhp. Officials at this month’s Paris motor show, including company boss Harald Krüger, confirmed that a new M3 was under development, although they declined to give details. It is understood, however, that engineers have been set the target of giving the new M3 a power boost over the M3 CS, which produced 454bhp. It is believed the additional performance is likely to come from the use of a water injection system, like that used by the M4 GTS, to enable reduced cylinder temperatures for more efficient running. The only obstacle to this system being employed is believed to have centred on the…

BMW is targeting the Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes-Benz GLS with the new X7, its seventh and largest SUV to date. Pictured here in production form for the first time ahead of a planned public debut at the Los Angeles show in November, the seven-seater is set for UK delivery next March at a price of £72,155 for the entry-level X7 xDrive30d. Conceived to provide BMW with a greater presence in the growing upper-luxury SUV market, the X7 aims to offer the comfort and opulence of a 7 Series with the versatility and off-road prowess of the new fourth-generation X5, with which it shares much of its mechanical and electrical architecture. Key markets for the X7, which goes under the internal codename G06, are the US, China, Russia and the…

BMW is preparing a midlife update for the X1 small SUV for next year, with European markets highly likely to receive a previously China-only plug-in hybrid variant. Strict new EU rules dictating the average CO2 emissions of all cars a brand sells and due to come into full effect in 2021 mean that BMW is rushing to ensure electrified models are offered across most of its mainstream line-up. The Chinese-market plug-in powertrain emits just 39g/km of CO2 and is already homologated in Europe in the Mini Countryman S E All4. Minor styling changes and tech improvements will also feature on the 2019 X1.…