Skip advert
Advertisement

Current BMW i3 to get revamp rather than all-new model

The BMW i3 is entering its seventh year of production, but the electric car will continue to be produced with further updates planned

BMW i3s in-depth review - front

The BMW i3 will last beyond the usual seven-year model cycle and get further updates, according to the boss of BMW i Division.

The electric city car recently received its second battery upgrade, taking the capacity to 120Ah (42.2kWh) and the real-world range to around 160 miles. The latest tweaks came despite the fact that the i3 is entering its seventh year of production - beyond the point where a manufacturer would usually have a successor under development.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best electric cars on sale

However, speaking to Auto Express at the recent Geneva Motor Show, i Division chief Robert Irlinger said the latest battery tweaks would not be the last upgrades in the i3’s life - and stressed that the car is not bound by conventional life cycles.

“There is always further potential,” Irlinger said, “and we always look to the market and and whether we’ll need something - a big update or a small update. But there is more to come. When you’re talking about the battery, actually we had quite good feedback from the markets that the latest [120Ah] one is totally fine, if you’re using the car normally in an urban area. There is a little bit more coming; you will see something.”

He added, “The i cars - the i3 and the i8 - are not comparable with normal BMW cars, which usually have a life cycle of about seven years. With i we will always try something new. Every year we’ve been selling more. We’re still confident with the car, and about its future success. If more people like it, and they keep liking it, why should we drop it?”

Click here for all the latest from the 2019 Geneva Motor Show...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Three car garage: a new BMW X3 or a used sports car, luxury saloon and EV for the same price
BMW 3-car garage

Three car garage: a new BMW X3 or a used sports car, luxury saloon and EV for the same price

For around the price of a new X3 you can have it all with this excellent variety of BMWs
Features
17 Mar 2025
Best used electric cars to buy now
Best used electric cars - header image

Best used electric cars to buy now

Looking to join the electric car revolution but have a smaller budget? Here are the best used electric cars to buy
Best cars & vans
13 Mar 2025
Best future classics 2025: car investments that could make you money
Future classics - header image

Best future classics 2025: car investments that could make you money

Identifying future classic cars is a tricky but potentially lucrative business, here are our future classic recommendations
Best cars & vans
6 Jan 2025
The death of the Geneva Motor Show can't be considered as progress
Opinion - Geneva Motor Show

The death of the Geneva Motor Show can't be considered as progress

Mike Rutherford laments the demise of the iconic Geneva Motor Show
Opinion
16 Jun 2024

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025