BMW has confirmed that it will launch a second-generation i3 but at this stage, isn’t sure when.
During an interview with Automotive News, i3 project manager Heinrich Schwackhoefer said that a new i3 will see the light of day despite just over 60,000 units of the current model being sold in the past three years.
“It’s not the sentiment within the company that it’s been a failure — absolutely not at all.
“The “i’ subbrand is stable and you can count on a successor to the i3, but I cannot say when that will be,” he said.
When BMW does create the next-gen i3, its range will have to be significantly greater than the outgoing model if it has any chance of attracting buyers.
As it stands, the most powerful i3 variant with a 33 kWh battery has an electric range of 114 miles (183 km). By comparison, the cheaper Chevrolet Bolt has a range of 238 miles (383 km) and the Tesla Model 3 will be able to run for over 200 (321 km) when it hits the market late next year.
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