BMW claims smaller and more affordable electric cars will be part of its next-generation line-up.
The BMW 1 Series and 2 Series – the German auto giant’s cheapest models – are expected to make the leap to electrification by the end of the decade, according to overseas reports.
The 1 Series hatchback is the cheapest BMW available in Australia – priced from $49,900 plus on-road costs – while the 2 Series ‘Gran Coupe’ $56,900 ranks fourth for affordability, behind the X2 and X1 SUVs.
BMW CEO Oliver Zipse has told news agency Reuters: “We are not leaving the lower market segment. Even if you consider yourself a premium manufacturer, it is wrong to leave the lower market segment – that will be the core of your business in the future.”
The top BMW executive’s comments come less than two months after information about the car-maker’s future electric-car plans were leaked online.
In September 2022, respected BMW insider and BimmerPost forum author ‘ynguldyn’ revealed plans for the i1 and i2 – electric equivalents to the petrol-powered 1 Series and 2 Series.
According to the insider, the electric BMW i1 – which has been given the model code ‘NB0’ – is expected to enter production in Germany in November 2027, with the i2 (codenamed ‘NB8’) due to follow in July 2028.
Both electric cars will reportedly remain in production until 2035 – shortly after the European Union’s ban on petrol and diesel engines comes into effect.
BMW’s upcoming ‘Neue Klasse’ electric-car platform is slated to underpin the i1 and i2, approximately two years after its 2025 debut in the battery-powered 3 Series and X3.
While BMW has previously retained its existing body styles when introducing an electric equivalent to its fossil fuel-powered cars – such as the X1/iX1 and 4 Series/i4 – the reputable insider said this is not likely for the upcoming models.
“I think it’s best to forget what we know about the body shapes of the current models when thinking about [Neue Klasse] cars,” ‘ynguldyn’ wrote on Bimmerpost.
The BMW insider added there will be significant generational updates to the petrol-powered 1 Series and 2 Series before the arrival of the i1 and i2.
In July 2024, the BMW 1 Series hatch is expected to be updated to its fourth generation (named F70), which will be followed by the four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe (F74) in November 2024.
The second-generation 2 Series coupe – which launched globally last year – is expected to receive a mid-life update in May 2025 before production ends in July 2029.
BMW Australia’s current line-up of electric cars includes the i4 sedan, iX3 SUV, iX SUV and i7 luxury sedan.
BMW has previously announced the iX1 SUV is due to arrive in Australia in the first half of next year, becoming the car-maker’s cheapest electric cars on sale, priced from $82,900 plus on-road costs.
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