All-Electric BMW 3 Series in the Works
An all-electric BMW 3 Series will join the model’s lineup.
The next-generation BMW 3 Series will make its debut within the next 18 months, and an all-electric variant is being developed to take on the Tesla Model 3. The popular luxury sedan will take advantage of lightweight carbon fiber and a new range of three-, four- and six-cylinder engines to stay competitive in the crowded segment, but it’s the all-electric version that will make things interesting.
BMW has spent the last few years dedicated to electrification with its i sub-brand, and much of the technology is being used across the lineup in the form of plug-in hybrid powertrains.
SEE ALSO: The Next BMW 3 Series to be Built in Mexico
To help shed weight on the next-generation BMW 3 Series, the automaker will use an all-new architecture called Cluster Architecture, or CLAR for short. The use of carbon fiber was first introduced on the new BMW 7 Series, which will now benefit the 3 Series.
Likely to sport the eDrive badge, the all-electric BMW 3 Series could be powered by a 90-kWh battery pack, making it competitive with the existing Tesla Model S. But it may not arrive until 2020, which gives Tesla a three-year head start if the American automaker can deliver on its promise on Model 3 production by 2017.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Now i've driven the BMW ActiveE concept on a public road; it felt heavy and plodding. You could tell a lot of weight was being put on those tires. A 3-Series OTOH is already heavy, ungainly, and quickly becoming the soul successor to the Buick Roadmaster, so nobody will notice.