What's all this about?

Following on from last year's 'Next 100' exhibition celebrating BMW's centenary, it has revealed another EV concept, this time previewing its idea for a new 'i' car. Called the i Vision Dynamics and taking the form of a four-door saloon, it's widely believed to be the basis of a production i5 that could be here within the next five years.

Range?

An impressive 373 miles, with a top speed of 120mph and the capability to hit 0-62mph in four seconds. This is thanks to what BMW terms 'fifth-generation' battery-electric technology, which utilises new battery and motor systems to give increased range and performance.

Interesting. What is the company planning for its range over the next decade?

We'll let BMW chairman Harald Kruger explain: "We have more electrified vehicles on the road than any established competitor and are committed to expanding our activities in the field of electric mobility as part of our NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy. By 2025 we will be offering 25 models with an electrified drive system - of which 12 will be pure-electric. With the BMW i Vision Dynamics we are showcasing how we envisage future electric mobility between the i3 and i8: a dynamic and progressive, four-door Gran Coupe. We are therefore electrifying the heart of the BMW brand and, at the same time, elevating BMW i into a totally new dimension."

Fair enough. Looks a bit edgy, doesn't it?

Sort of, although by cracking the code of design-speak we can ascertain that BMW reckons the new concept follows the 'i' philosophy of "I do more with less". Since this model will most likely feature a raft of new autonomous technology, particular emphasis is placed on the shared driving experience for the occupants. BMW has also hinted that Level 5 autonomous driving will appear on some of its range by 2025, although probably not on mainstream models initially.

Maurice Malone - 12 Sep 2017