Following last week’s unveiling of the all-new BMW i3 and BMW i8 electric and plug-in vehicles, rumours have started circulating about the next additions to the line-up, said to be the i4 and i5.
The i3 all-electric city car and the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will hit the market in 2013 as the first vehicles in the new BMW i family.
According to BMW Blog contributor and brand insider, Scott27, the i4 will be a smaller two-seater sports car based on the i3 with a design influenced by the i8.
“i4 would offer a plug-in electric or range-extended electric drivetrain. The idea comes from not everybody will be able to afford the i8 but here is the more accessible offer.”
Scott27 says the i5 will be a much more important vehicle for the brand, however, as it will feature a more practical, family oriented sedan layout.
“i5 is seen as the ultimate test for BMW i and will be a mid-sized four door sedan-esque coupe again using the powertrain from the BMW i8.”
He suggested the i5 would feature sleek aerodynamics and could potentially come with rear-hinged passenger doors.
Both vehicles will employ carbon fibre-reinforced plastic technology for their bodies like the i3 and i8.
We know BMW is keeping its options open for its new i family, having already trademarked the names i1 through to i9 in Australia and overseas.
Reports suggest the BMW i4 and BMW i5 will enter production in the second half of this decade.
In light of these rumours, what other models do you think BMW should add to the i family? What would a BMW i1 look like? Or an i6 or i9? Feel free to get creative in the comments section below.
