BMW have been spotted testing a battery-electric version of the current-generation 3-series. This time the interior is hidden from view instead of the exterior. The new 3series will go into production by July 2022, so there is a lot more time for the brand to work on the body. The usual front and rear fascia changes will be introduced later this year as part of the mid-cycle update.

The latest clicks show that the exterior remains unchanged, at least for now. According to spy photos, BMW has completely hidden the dashboard with a black sheet. Something is under the works at BMW and we will soon know the details. For now, the German manufacturer is tight-lipped and reluctant to disseminate information. However, from the photos we can make out that the 3-series will have a curved display that is currently found in the BMW iX. The screen spreads throughout the dash and brings advanced features to the mix. The 3-series might not get the majority of these features but we expect a handful to make through to production.

It is also unsure what powertrain will go in the 3 series. According to reports, more hybrid and electric vehicles are planned so that will probably be the 3series’ future. We are more excited about BMW’s personal assistant. The iDrive8 is going to be revolutionary in the coming years as it is evident from the technology’s success in the iX. The 3-series might just get it in the upcoming model.  

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Marcus M.

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We already knew BMW had plans regarding its access to the electric vehicle market. The release of BMW models such as the i3 and i8 is proof of this, however, turning already released vehicle models, such as the BMW X3, into fully electric cars, shows that the Bavarian automaker really means business when it comes to becoming more environmentally friendly.

While at first glance the BMW X3 looks like a normal version of the very popular SUV, the absence of an exhaust system and the presence of a charge port near the left, front wheel arch remind us that this is indeed a special variant of the BMW X3 model. The interesting fact about this particular version is that no compromise has been made in order for it to be transformed into an electric vehicle. Apart from the fuelling system being radically different, the electric BMW X3 will be fitted with the same equipment we see on the regular BMW X3s out there.

The electric BMW X3 is without a doubt a car that most BMW fans look forward to. The vehicle itself combines the best of both worlds. On one hand it is as luxurious as we’ve come to expect from the Bavarian automaker, while on the other, it is more environmentally friendly. Owning an electric vehicle also means saving money on account of electricity being cheaper than fuel. Another important advantage is the reduction of noise. It will be interesting to see how many people will decide to buy the electric BMW X3. The future looks promising for this particular model.

BMW has already planned to release a hybrid version of the same BMW X3 before it releases the fully electric one. Even if BMW is serious about concentrating on the electric vehicle market, it seems that the Bavarian automaker has planned a smooth and slow transition from the classic fuel vehicles to the modern electric ones. Having a solid strategy, BMW will definitely evolve and reach a new level of development.

The electric BMW X3 will definitely prove a successful concept. It will be interesting to see which BMW models will become electric next. Regardless, the presence of the BMW X3 electric prototype is a reminder that the electric upgrade plan has already begun. This shows that the Bavarian automaker is serious about concentrating on the electric market. This means BMW is about to offer serious competition to the other manufacturers of electric vehicles.

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Without a doubt eh BMW i8 is one of the most iconic vehicles produced by the Bavarian automaker at this point. Not only is it a hybrid, it also looks and feels fresh. Its futuristic look is enough to convince anybody to actually dream about owning this particular BMW model. Taking this in account, how would and SUV variant of the same vehicle look? Someone decided to imagine this scenario. The result is quite interesting.

The BMW i8 is without a doubt one of the best vehicles in term of design and technology implementation. It’s a car any BMW fan would want to own. This particular BMW model is the embodiment of performance and comfort. It is one of the most balanced vehicles in terms of its look and feel. While imagining it as an SUV vehicle may seem to some as a bit of a stretch, the idea itself is not bad at all. In fact, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if BMW decided to indeed create a hybrid SUV i8 model.

The imagined BMW i8 SUV looks like a combination of the i8 and another of BMW’s well known models, the X6. The car not only looks interesting, but seems as if it were real. There is nothing that would indicate this is indeed an imagined model. Every aspect of the car seems to have been adapted to the new assigned role. The car’s aspect remains quite aggressive, while retaining, at the same time, the futuristic look the i8 has already accustomed us with.

BMW has announced that an electric X3 is in the works, but will there also be an i8 SUV model waiting to be released? The chances are quite small. In the end a hybrid SUV variant would not make much sense after the announcement of an electric SUV model. It would be an interesting idea for BMW to produce an SUV variant of the i8 as a limited edition vehicle. BMW fans would most likely look forward to purchasing such a vehicle in order to expand their private collection.

No matter how you look at it, the idea of a BMW i8 SUV quite interesting. The futuristic design of the i8 combined with the SUV concept would definitely fit well for this imagined model. The only thing that remains to be seen is whether or not the folks over at BMW will decide to create such a vehicle. The imagined BMW i8 SUV would prove to be quite an asset, were it to be indeed produced.

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Even if the overall details with the upcoming BMW X7 are not fresh, a new report issued by Autocar indicates that the high-end SUV would be also launched with a new hybrid version. This wouldn’t be a surprise, especially since almost each branch within the carmaker`s lineup is going to come with a hybrid and an all-electric version as well.

The report from Autocar is quite reliable, especially since it comes from a source inside the company, and which confirms that the X7 hybrid will be present on the road at the beginning of 2018, along with the standard X7 SUV.
Once decided for production line, the all-new BMW X7 hybrid will adopt the 7-Series 740e` drivetrain, consisting of a 2.0-liter twin-turbo gasoline mill plus an electric motor as well. The overall output would be around 326 horsepower.

Besides the high-performance hybrid drivetrain, the new X7 plug-in will resemble the standard SUV, meaning a more evolutionary design with advanced aerodynamics. We should be able to see an updated front with huge double kidney grille and some other styling tweaks with inspiration from the new X5.

In terms of luxury, the entire X7 range will come with the latest high-end materials and plenty of gadgetries inside, borrowed from the 5- or the 7-Series. Speaking about high-tech gizmos and luxury, Ian Robertson, BMW sales and market CEO, has also declared:

“We will have some versions that are top-end luxury, as well as more mainstream versions. I can’t talk about pricing now, but given that this car will have all the technology and luxury of the 7 Series, it gives you a pretty good idea of the price point we’re talking about.”

Amongst the interior`s top features we should mention the semi-autonomous driving, updated infotainment system with smartphone integration, the latest head-up display, leather and carbon fiber trims on the seats and dash, and much more.

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Debuted in 2014, the magnificent BMW i8 may just redefine what a modern supercar truly is. It’s got all the visual appeal of a Lamborghini, the performance of a Maserati and, incredibly, the fuel economy of the best hybrids out there.

We hired a BMW I8 1.5 litre hybrid from our friends at Nationwide Hire this week and took it out for a spin to see what the fuss is all about …

They say appearances can be deceptive. In the case of the i8, it seems almost unfeasible that the driving experience could beat the stunning looks of BMW’s latest performance car – if ever a car was built to satisfy a visceral need, this is it. Stylish curves and futuristic lights dominate the visual impact of this two door coupe, with optional laser headlights and electric paint choices adding to the look. With a drag coefficient of just 0.26, this is among the sleekest cars out there, and sits on a carbon fibre reinforced plastic chassis, specially developed for the BMW hybrid range. The butterfly doors are stunning, and provide a gateway to the no-less-impressive interior.

Sitting at the wheel is a sublime experience, with twin 8.8 inch high-definition screens offering all the entertainment and driving aid functionality you’ll need. A wraparound dashboard is finished with leather touches, though – slightly disappointingly – the iDrive system is similar to that in other models offered by the BMW family; it does however include a heads up display as standard, a huge 20Gb hard drive to load music onto, Internet connectivity and BMW’s patented Concierge service, offering real-time personal assistance at your fingertips – magic.

But enough of the looks, how does it perform?

Considering the i8 is a hybrid and has a surprisingly small 1.5 litre engine, even the slightest touch on the throttle provokes an instant response – whatever driving style you’ve selected. There are 3 defined modes available, from the aggressive Sport mode, which uses both the petrol engine and electric motor to deliver blistering performance, to the gentler Comfort and Eco modes, which aim to maximise fuel consumption through full use of electric power at low speeds. Naturally, we tried the Sport mode first, and found that the i8 pulls like an Audi R8, with official 0-60 mph figures of 4.4 seconds seemingly undercooked! It delivers fearsome acceleration, and the automatic six speed transmission is incredibly responsive and slick. We didn’t test in track conditions, but those fortunate enough to open the i8 up fully can attain a claimed top speed close to 155 mph (more specs here).

Handling is a dream thanks to excellent dampers and superior road grip; the power steering is firm and accurate, and control is great in all conditions. It is light to steer, while never feeling underpowered. We ran the car on a range of routes, from spells on the motorway to country roads and even city traffic – whatever the circumstances, the car handles effortlessly thanks to great four wheel drive traction; the great surprise of the i8 is its fuel consumption – in city conditions at low speeds, the electric power can be used exclusively to produce amazing numbers; while we got nowhere near the much-touted 130+ mpg figures, we managed more than half that in urban conditions, figures usually only attained by smart cars and small family hatchbacks! Keeping the lithium ion battery charged certainly helps, though driving it flat out can drain the battery very quickly.

Range is good, with 32 litres of fuel affording close to 300 miles with sensible motoring. There is an increasing range of plug-in charge points, at service stations, BMW dealerships and elsewhere, and owners can also buy their own custom BMW charging dock, which provides a full charge in a matter of a few hours.

Out on the open roads the economy figures naturally suffer, but that’s to be expected – opening up the throttle to experience the 357bhp available is an absolute delight, and anyone who can afford to take this out for a spin is probably not seeking to minimise fuel costs! Speaking of costs, the hybrid i8 offers incredibly low emissions figures of just 49g/km – zero VED doesn’t really make an impact on a car that costs circa £110,000 of course, but it is impressive nonetheless.

As a drive experience, the i8 naturally doesn’t quite match that of the true top end supercars, but it’s not far off, with a cheaper overall cost to boot. It’s also a good option for the rental market, whether for those wishing to hire a car for a once in a lifetime experience, to arrive at a party in style, or for a longer period. One downside is the loud road noise, but that’s partly the thrill of driving such a car – it’s as loud as a 911 at cruising speeds, but with the impressive sound system kicking in, it’s easy to ignore the background noise. The car is great on the motorway, with impressive visibility for a car of this sort, very little wind noise thanks to its aerodynamic styling, and excellent handling. It’s extremely comfortable for the driver and front passenger, with a low driving position and moulded seats. We found motorway driving a pleasure – and not only for the admiring glances of fellow motorists. The heads up display ensures concentration on the road, and we were pleased to note the wide array of safety features, including multiple airbags, traction control, and a blind spot detector which was an add-on already fitted in our test car.

While we weren’t overly concerned about storage space in our short tie with the i8, it’s worth noting that the two rear seats are of little use for passengers, except younger children; if you’re intending to turn heads on the school run then this is certainly a car for you, but space is very limited for adult passengers – there was oodles of room in the front, however, as the car is really optimised for a driver plus one. Boot storage is tight, probably no more than half the size of the author’s usual runabout hatchback; you’ll struggle to get a family set of suitcases or a large shopping load in, but it’s fine for smaller bags and day to day bits.

Our overall view of the i8 is that it falls somewhere close to the true supercar league but doesn’t quite match the best the market has to offer. It’s an undoubted head-turner and a thrilling drive, but there are better, albeit more expensive, options available for anyone who can afford a car of this sort. However, the i8 is a bold statement from BMW and a car that delivers a great mix of hybrid benefits alongside supercar performance. Time will tell if the ingenious mix of hybrid technology and supercar performance is a trend that will spread across the sector.

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The BMW i8 hybrid sports car has already been sold out in the UK and now the German based automaker will have to put the other UK customers on hold, for the next 10 months.

BMW i8 has been sold out in just two weeks after sales started in the United Kingdom, with the Park Lane dealership leading ahead with 170 orders.

If that wasn’t enough, rumors also state that the US buyers are also in tight spot, after the stock with the i8 has also dried out in a blink of an eye.

The pricing list concerning sales in the UK starts from 99,125 GBP, while in the US, the hybrid can be yours for 135,700 dollars.

The BMW i8 hybrid supermodel is powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged TwinPower Turbo petrol burner, backed by an electric motor with the BMW`s eDrive technology.

The 1.5-liter combustion unit outputs 231 horsepower, sending the power to the rear wheels, while the electric motor develops an additional 131 horsepower on the front wheels.

The BMW i8 also comes with an all-electric range of around 35 kilometers, at a top speed of 120 km/h.

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The car caught in the spied photos is just a prototype that the BMW is preparing for a future generation of plug-in hybrid version of the 3 Series sedan.

The German luxury car manufacturer is preparing the next generation of low emission cars, and right now, they are working on the perfect green car, in the persona of the 3-Series Hybrid.

The reports talk about a 2.0-liter engine developing 272 horsepower, backed up by an electric motor. The eDrive is expected to be quite fast, with a whole range of powertrain.

Last year, the German manufacturer came out with an X5 concept car, which could run on full electric mode for up to 20 miles and at speeds reaching 75 mph (120km/h).

One hour per day you can actually commute without using petrol, as the BMW would give you the ride of your life.

Talking about mileage, we might state that the eDrive plug-in hybrid is great on fuel consumption. With a car doing 250 km/h, a 3.8l/100km is just more than enough.

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BMW Concept Active Tourer is the first BMW that has front-wheel drive (FWD). This model is a MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) that will compete with B-Class from Mercedes.

It was presented at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show where it was greatly appreciated by all visitors. BMW Active Tourer will be released in about 2 years.

BMW claims a fuel consumption of just 1.5L/100km because of EfficientDynamics, all this consumption of a 3-cylinder gasoline engine which outputs 190hp (140kW) on a hybrid plug-in platform eDrive architecture.

The future BMW Active Tourer will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in only 7.9s which is very good considering the weight at which we expect to be higher than the normal BMW cars, that because to battery present inside it.

Once this BMW Active Tourer remains only battery, its autonomy will be somewhere for just 30km, which means you should be headed to the nearest place where you have to fuel with gasoline.

The design of BMW Concept Active Tourer is very futuristic with dynamic design lines as well we can see in the pictures.

The interior is illuminated with a red-orange tint, a warm light with glossy plastic and leather board with a modern color.

BMW Concept Active Tourer videos with its exterior design and interior:

Photo Gallery with the BMW Concept Active Tourer:

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Last we heard, BMW were cooling down their efforts with the i Range products. The hybrid and electric cars were in a bit of a bad phase at the time.

Could things be turning around for these tree hugging vehicles? Or maybe it’s just the way the guys at BMW think about the future of the market.

This is so because there’s a rumor that’s started going round about a car called the BMW i4. This would be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

That’s an event less than a month away. Obviously we don’t know everything about BMW’s business and so on but we had a feeling we would have heard about it before.

We’ll admit to that miss and just wait for the car to be unveiled as a coupe-ish version of the fresh i3‘s design can’t be anything but welcome.

I still have my doubts about the way this car seems to have popped up out of nowhere, but even I have to admit, Los Angeles is the place.

If anything that is deemed to save the world gets adopted by the elite from that particular corner of the world, the effect will likely snowball.

Under the bonnet we’d expect the same drivetrain as the i3 but it should have something to make it stand out from the standard 168 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque setup.

Or maybe it won’t, maybe this will be a car that is more focused on the final bits of the fuel economy and range parts of the equation rather than the sporty side.

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We keep getting the good news from our favorite Bavarians but occasionally it’s time for some bad ones. Pending front wheel drive, trading off on manuals are just a few things that come to mind.

Having parted ways with the French from PSA, BMW tell us there’s something a little nasty in the future due to some legal and financial issues.

Reportedly, the French side of the connection owes BMW a bit of money. Of course, when you’re this big a manufacturer, terms are slightly different in perspective.

That little bit is actually amounting to no less than 50 million euros. Is this for real, or just a jab at the betrayal from PSA and GM.

Both used to work together with BMW and have now parted ways with the Bavarians to work on their projects together.

As you’d imagine, with this being Apple, the lawsuit is a much more acceptable situation. The French company contracted BMW to build some hybrid and EV technology.

With development going along well, PSA pulled out and BMW now wants to get back the kind of money they put into the project.

This will likely lead to a very long trial and a lot of lawyer action left and right but us automotive enthusiasts are more interested in something else.

Rumor has it round that the BMW i8 would have been part of the cars that used these hybrid and EV technologies. IF that’s the case, things are a little tricky.

BMW has actually kept quiet about it lately, so let’s hope things don’t get out of hand.

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