What's all this about?
BMW has drawn up a battle plan for the remaining years of this decade and into the start of the 2020s, giving us a glimpse into its future by outlining some of the grand schemes of its 'Strategy Number One > Next'... er, strategy. Much of this is about autonomous driving (Project i 2.0), improving the efficiency of its combustion engines (Efficient Dynamics Next) and what it aims to do with its hydrogen vehicles. But there are some very exciting imminent model releases in the pipeline.
Such as?
Right, we've got confirmation that the i8 Roadster is not too far away, while a longer-range BMW i3, courtesy of increased capacity batteries, should be with us by the end of the year. However, the biggest news here is another i model for beyond 2020. BMW says enigmatically that it will be 'ushering in the next decade in the form of a revolutionary new BMW i model that will raise premium individual mobility to previously unknown levels'. Could this be an i-branded rival to the Tesla Model S?
Excellent stuff, although presumably the much-mooted i5 will be here before then?
If it is nearing production, BMW doesn't mention it. But Munich does say that the proliferation of i-inspired plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) that can now be found in its 'regular' range will continue to grow, with the next vehicle in the canon due to be a PHEV MINI Countryman; this will use the 1.5-litre, three-cylinder drivetrain as seen in the 225xe. And the i8, naturally.
Any mention of X or M models?
Of course! Harald Kruger, the chairman of the board for BMW, said: "We will be broadening our model range with the BMW X7. We are also taking an in-depth look at the additional potential of this highly attractive segment." That latter comment surely means that an X2 is inevitable, while the X7 might not prove to be the absolute pinnacle of the SUV line-up in years to come.
But you've said nothing about M Division...
Hold your turbocharged horses. BMW is definitely going to broaden the M cars product range. This sounds fabulous on the face of it, although it should be couched in cautious terms pertaining to the fact that only the 1 Series and 7 Series 'car' families don't have full-blown M variants yet. BMW also says it intends to 'expand its range of powerful M Performance models within the higher volume segments, with a view to capitalising on the growth and earnings potential of the BMW M brand'. The likelihood is that the X1, X3 and X4 are going to get the quad-exhaust treatment. More high-performance SUVs? For some people, that won't be the best news in the world...
Matt Robinson - 20 Mar 2016