BMW Deciding if Next i Car Should be Sedan or Crossover

BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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is launching its i3BMW i3Germany, 2014 > present electric city car in Europe later this year, and the cars will be on sale in the United States and China by the end of next year. In addition to the i8 hybrid sports car that will join the range next year, BMW insiders say that work has already begun on an electric sedan that would take on the Tesla Model STesla Model SUnited States of America, 2012 > present2 photos
head on.

The Model S has already shown itself to be a success in the United States, and its first couple of months on sale in Norway have also gone quite well. BMW thinks that it shows a market is there for an electric luxury sedan as long as it offers the right mix of technology and range. The car will likely be called the i5.

The green light has not yet been given to the sedan, and another possibility is that the next i car will be a crossover to tap into the popularity of that segment in Europe.

“We are having these discussions right now and no decision has been taken. In fact, there's still not an absolute decision that the car, if it is called i5, should even happen. Many, including myself, believe that there is potential. Then if we decide the car should happen, we need to decide if it is a regular sedan or something where the passengers are sitting slightly higher up,” said the BMW insider to What Car.

Regardless of body style, the new car will stick to the i sub-brand’s use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

Source: What Car?