BMW’s i3 and i8 May Not Live Past Their Current Generation

The i3 and i8 are two very important cars for BMW. Not only did they kick off the ‘i’ range of electrified vehicles, but have offered the brand a good chunk of the ‘eco’ segments and put it among the leaders of electrification.

Despite that, both models might actually be discontinued after the current generation is phased out. Quoting unnamed BMW officials, AutoNews reports that an official decision has yet to be taken.

The publication also spoke to the BMW chief of electric powertrain, Stefan Juraschek, at the New York Auto Show last week. “These cars are very unique. These two cars were not [developed] as a family that we can expand in different [ways], or maybe five or 10 derivatives,” Juraschek commented, indicating that there successors are, most probably, not included in BMW’s plans.

Even if the i3 and i8 won’t get a replacement, the two of them won’t go anywhere anytime soon. In fact, the former was updated for the 2018MY, welcoming an i3S variant, and so was the i8, adding the Roadster to the lineup.

Either way, Munich’s i sub-brand will welcome the i4, probably after 2020. The zero-emission saloon was previewed by the i Vision Dynamics Concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, and will be joined by the production version of the iNext study.

The i4 will challenge the likes of cars such as the Tesla Model 3, whereas the iNext is an electric SUV that will go after the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace.