BMW reportedly planning iSUV to take on Tesla Model X

Jason · 06-09-2015, 12:45 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW reportedly planning i-branded electric SUV to take on Tesla Model X

74
COMMENTS

June 9, 2015

FRANKFURT -- BMW plans to build a battery-powered SUV/crossover in the U.S. as a rival to the upcoming Tesla Model X, a German business magazine said.

The plan to build the crossover at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is awaiting board approval, Wirtschaftswoche reported, citing company sources. A BMW spokesman told Automotive News Europe that the report was “speculation.”

Spartanburg is the carmaker’s global SUV hub. BMW builds the X3, X4, X5 and X6 crossovers at the factory.

BMW CEO Harald Krueger is keen to add an electric SUV to rival the Model X, Wirthschaftswoche said.

The electric crossover would be the third model sold under BMW's i brand, joining the i3 battery-electric hatchback and i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. The i3 and i8 are built in Leipzig, Germany.

Arndt Ellinghorst, head of global automotive research at Evercore ISI, said in an investors note: "In our view an iSUV makes perfect sense for BMW. SUVs are in demand and given the market's reaction to Tesla's Model X so far, it seems to be a good fit for families and suburban commuters.”

Ellinghorst said that it was unrealistic to expect the model much earlier than 2018.

via Automotive News

matbl · 06-09-2015, 02:40 PM

This would be interesting to get scott26's opinion on.
Especially since he previously stated that the next BMWi would be an i5 in 2020.
Scott?

Doctor///M · 06-09-2015, 03:33 PM

I'm in. Can't wait to see what it looks like!!

Pentium · 06-09-2015, 03:33 PM

Who cares about Tesla?
How about concentrating on "Mercedes Benz" instead of Tesla?

Dog Face Pony Soldier · 06-09-2015, 03:35 PM

As people are running away from EVs and hybrids to SUVs... BMW is considering an EV or hybrid SUV?

sdshah · 06-09-2015, 03:38 PM

Should be fun to go 175 miles and then have to go home and charge up...

ShocknAwe · 06-09-2015, 04:02 PM

Bet they'll make a GT and GC version of it.

ORIGIN M. · 06-09-2015, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdshah

Should be fun to go 175 miles and then have to go home and charge up...

Unless they can start installing a usable lev 3 plugin that's what you will have to do.

I'd like to see an i3 BEV with a lower rear hatch floor so I can put grocery bags back there without having to remove my cargo cover.

And an a model 3 competitor!!!!

beammeupscottie · 06-09-2015, 04:21 PM

Wonder what this will look like?

SCOTT26 · 06-09-2015, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matbl

This would be interesting to get scott26's opinion on.
Especially since he previously stated that the next BMWi would be an i5 in 2020.
Scott?

As the report says it is speculation. It has been discussed But a BMWi SAV crossover could be very interesting indeed.
The next BMWi vehicle is still coming around 2020.

ORIGIN M. · 06-09-2015, 04:57 PM

Interesting... 5 Years is a long time to market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

As the report says it is speculation. It has been discussed But a BMWi SAV crossover could be very interesting indeed.
The next BMWi vehicle is still coming around 2020.

Chihuahua · 06-09-2015, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pentium

Who cares about Tesla?

EVERYONE in the EV market cares about Tesla. They are the benchmark, especially in the premium EV segment.

Chihuahua · 06-09-2015, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Interesting... 5 Years is a long time to market.

Agreed, too long if Tesla actually comes through and released the Model 3 in 2017.

antzcrashing · 06-09-2015, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pentium

Who cares about Tesla?
How about concentrating on "Mercedes Benz" instead of Tesla?

Bmw is not competing with tesla, they are just pretending to, like GM and the rest. They will put out cars with 20-50 miles electric range and a gas engine and claim they are alternatives. Tesla is in a league of their own

SCOTT26 · 06-09-2015, 05:16 PM

The issue here is that there are forthcoming eDrive BMW X models arriving now and in the not so distant future that an SUV BMWi vehicle may be counter productive.

The X5 4.0e xDrive is about to arrive on the market as will the X1 2.3e XDrive late next year.
The next generation BMW X3 will be offered the X3 3.0e xDrive. And then the upcoming BMW X5 and X7 will be offered with Performance orientated Power eDrive with xDrive.

As of now BMWi are focusing on the four door BMWi model.

ORIGIN M. · 06-09-2015, 05:38 PM

Musk says... $35K USD before incentives.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle B

Agreed, too long if Tesla actually comes through and released the Model 3 in 2017.

IcemanNorway · 06-09-2015, 05:51 PM

Scott, do you know more about engine/el motor package regarding these two?
X1 2.3e XDrive.
X3 3.0e xDrive.
I'm guessing the 1,5 plus el motor for the X1 and 2,0 plus el motor for the X3?
And do you know if the X1 will have front wheel drive for the gasoline engine and rear wheel for the el motor? This making it AWD as long as you have power in the batteries..

Chihuahua · 06-09-2015, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Musk says... $35K USD before incentives.

Yes I read that too. If it looks the part and gets the advertised 200+ mile range then the CPO 128i or E90 328i I'm about to buy might will likely my last BMW for a long while, maybe forever. I would have considered the i3, but the all electric range sucks and it looks atrocious. There isn't a single car BMW manufactures right now that interests me, and I don't really see much on the horizon either. I remember walking into the dealer and wishing I could have one of each. Now they're just....cars.

avantegardestyle · 06-09-2015, 05:56 PM

more and more i am beginning to dislike BMW......
its almost becoming an Expenisve type of ikea for automobiles......

SouthernBoy · 06-09-2015, 06:05 PM

I can't wait to see what it looks like with that M-Sport Package! Oh yeah!

3M TAPE · 06-09-2015, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The issue here is that there are forthcoming eDrive BMW X models arriving now and in the not so distant future that an SUV BMWi vehicle may be counter productive.

The X5 4.0e xDrive is about to arrive on the market as will the X1 2.3e XDrive late next year.
The next generation BMW X3 will be offered the X3 3.0e xDrive. And then the upcoming BMW X5 and X7 will be offered with Performance orientated Power eDrive with xDrive.

As of now BMWi are focusing on the four door BMWi model.

That rendering worries me already.

The_Transporter · 06-09-2015, 06:24 PM

As bad as the tesla x looks I fear it will still be hard for anyone to touch them. Don't get me wrong I would love for this new bmw to compete, but if they take any design cues from the i3 then it will not only be a lesser vehicle (tech and performance wise) but it also won't look any better than the x... Oh did I mention how bad the x looks lol

06-09-2015, 12:45 PM	#1
Jason Administrator 40712 Rep 21,238 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW reportedly planning iSUV to take on Tesla Model X BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW reportedly planning i-branded electric SUV to take on Tesla Model X 74 COMMENTS Tweet June 9, 2015 FRANKFURT -- BMW plans to build a battery-powered SUV/crossover in the U.S. as a rival to the upcoming Tesla Model X, a German business magazine said. The plan to build the crossover at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is awaiting board approval, Wirtschaftswoche reported, citing company sources. A BMW spokesman told Automotive News Europe that the report was “speculation.” Spartanburg is the carmaker’s global SUV hub. BMW builds the X3, X4, X5 and X6 crossovers at the factory. BMW CEO Harald Krueger is keen to add an electric SUV to rival the Model X, Wirthschaftswoche said. The electric crossover would be the third model sold under BMW's i brand, joining the i3 battery-electric hatchback and i8 plug-in hybrid supercar. The i3 and i8 are built in Leipzig, Germany. Arndt Ellinghorst, head of global automotive research at Evercore ISI, said in an investors note: "In our view an iSUV makes perfect sense for BMW. SUVs are in demand and given the market's reaction to Tesla's Model X so far, it seems to be a good fit for families and suburban commuters.” Ellinghorst said that it was unrealistic to expect the model much earlier than 2018. via Automotive News
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06-09-2015, 02:40 PM	#2
matbl First Lieutenant 73 Rep 364 Posts Drives: G31 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	This would be interesting to get scott26's opinion on. Especially since he previously stated that the next BMWi would be an i5 in 2020. Scott?
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06-09-2015, 03:33 PM	#3
Doctor///M Brigadier General 1789 Rep 4,216 Posts Drives: 2023 AUDI RS6 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2023 Audi RS6 Avant [0.00] BMW M2 Competition [10.00] 2009 BMW 335i [0.00] 2015 M3 [9.52]	I'm in. Can't wait to see what it looks like!! __________________ 2020 F87 M2 Competition /l\ LBB /i\ Executive Package 2013 E70 X5M /l\ Space Grey /i\ Full Silverstone Leather /l\ LED Headlights /i\ Comfort Access /l\ HUD /i\ Ventilated Seats /l\ 22" BBS SV BMW CCA Member
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Pentium Captain 185 Rep 805 Posts Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	Who cares about Tesla? How about concentrating on "Mercedes Benz" instead of Tesla? __________________ The Best Is Yet To Come! E36 - E39 - E53 - E60 - E87 - E90
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06-09-2015, 03:35 PM	#5
Dog Face Pony Soldier 2006 TIME Person Of The Year 9720 Rep 6,445 Posts Drives: M Sport 335i Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 335i [9.74]	As people are running away from EVs and hybrids to SUVs... BMW is considering an EV or hybrid SUV? __________________
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06-09-2015, 03:38 PM	#6
sdshah Banned 849 Rep 1,386 Posts Drives: F85 \| Panamera GTS Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	Should be fun to go 175 miles and then have to go home and charge up...
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06-09-2015, 04:02 PM	#7
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,892 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Bet they'll make a GT and GC version of it. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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06-09-2015, 04:21 PM	#9
beammeupscottie Major 1067 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 Comp BGM / Sahkir Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW X5M COMP [0.00]	Wonder what this will look like?
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06-09-2015, 05:16 PM	#15
SCOTT26 Major General 5309 Rep 5,824 Posts Drives: A big F-off German Truck. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: WORLDWIDE iTrader: (0)	The issue here is that there are forthcoming eDrive BMW X models arriving now and in the not so distant future that an SUV BMWi vehicle may be counter productive. The X5 4.0e xDrive is about to arrive on the market as will the X1 2.3e XDrive late next year. The next generation BMW X3 will be offered the X3 3.0e xDrive. And then the upcoming BMW X5 and X7 will be offered with Performance orientated Power eDrive with xDrive. As of now BMWi are focusing on the four door BMWi model. Attached Images __________________ The M850i is evidence that BMW have got their mojo back when it comes to dynamic sports cars...
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IcemanNorway New Member 8 Rep 20 Posts Drives: BMW X3 F25 2.0D M Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Norway iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 X3 F25 [0.00]	Scott, do you know more about engine/el motor package regarding these two? X1 2.3e XDrive. X3 3.0e xDrive. I'm guessing the 1,5 plus el motor for the X1 and 2,0 plus el motor for the X3? And do you know if the X1 will have front wheel drive for the gasoline engine and rear wheel for the el motor? This making it AWD as long as you have power in the batteries..
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06-09-2015, 05:56 PM	#19
avantegardestyle Captain 290 Rep 912 Posts Drives: E90 ///M3 SG Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: East Side iTrader: (0)	more and more i am beginning to dislike BMW...... its almost becoming an Expenisve type of ikea for automobiles......
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SouthernBoy Second Lieutenant 41 Rep 242 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Range Rover Ma ... [0.00] 2010 S550 AMG-Sport [0.00] 2014 335i M-Sport [0.00] 2014 650i M-Sport C ... [0.00]	I can't wait to see what it looks like with that M-Sport Package! Oh yeah! __________________ 2015.5 Range Rover Mark IV L405 V8 Supercharged, Aruba, Almond, Espresso, Meridian, Vision Assist, Driver Assist 2014 335i M-Sport .CO.ZA / ZCW / ZDA / ZPP / ZTP / 2PE / 441 / 2TB / 5AC / 688 / 2NH / DHP / 2VF† 2014 650i M-Sport Convertible / 7MH / 337 / ZDB (DAP) / ZEC / Adaptive Full LED Headlights / B&O
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06-09-2015, 06:24 PM	#22
The_Transporter Lieutenant 204 Rep 491 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	As bad as the tesla x looks I fear it will still be hard for anyone to touch them. Don't get me wrong I would love for this new bmw to compete, but if they take any design cues from the i3 then it will not only be a lesser vehicle (tech and performance wise) but it also won't look any better than the x... Oh did I mention how bad the x looks lol
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