Yesterday, we reported that BMW plans to add two, larger battery versions of its i3 model to its i-Series range. Now it appears the EV lineup will expand in other ways as well, starting in 2018.
Autocar is reporting that both a roadster version of the i8 sports car (which has been teased several times by now) and something called the i NEXT will roll out in the coming years. As recent as the Consumer Electronics Show in January, BMW showed a concept version of the i8 Roadster and in 2018, the production version will be revealed.
The final product should look very similar to the original 2012 concept and the doorless version that was shown at CES. Expect performance and technical specifications to match the coupe i8, meaning a 1.5-liter three-cylinder will be paired with an electric motor for a combined 357 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph run of less than 4.5 seconds.
Following the i8 Roadster’s introduction, BMW will reveal the i NEXT, which has been described as the “new spearhead of innovation and technology,” by BMW board member Harald Kruger. “It will enable us to take BMW i to the next level,” said Kruger. Though that doesn’t tell us much in the way of specifics, Kruger went on to mention that it will include autonomous driving functions, connectivity features, lightweight build materials, and the next generation of “electro-mobility.”
“With BMW i, we have managed to very quickly create a globally known brand that embodies sustainability, Kruger remarked. “Since its introduction in 2013, we have delivered more than 50,000 BMW i vehicles to customers. Today, the BMW i lineup has a larger market presence than any other electric vehicle. BMW i assumes a key role as an enabler for our BMW core brand: BMW i attracts new customers to BMW.”
As for the rest of BMW’s lineup, the electric powertrains which are being used in i Series models will soon be incorporated in hybridized versions of standard BMW models. Starting this July, seven BMW models will be available as full EVs or plug-in hybrids.
Stay tuned for our New York Auto Show coverage where we’ll interview BMW executives about the future of its i Series.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.