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      12-05-2017, 02:59 AM   #1
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BMW Announces iX Names for Electric SUV Models. Electric iX3 to be First.

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BMW Announces iX Names for Electric SUV Models. Electric iX3 to be First.
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Via Autonews

MUNICH – BMW may expand its electric range by adding smaller and high-end cars and SUVs as it seeks to benefit from the industry shift toward battery-powered cars.

The automaker has secured naming rights for the badges i1 to i9 and iX1 to iX9, CEO Harald Krueger told reporters at a press event here.

BMW currently sells two i-badged cars – the full-electric i3 city hatchback and the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. It plans at least two new electric cars, one likely to be called the i5 and another that may be named the i9. BMW uses the X designation for its SUVs and crossovers so electric SUVs would use the iX label.

The brand’s next EV will be a variant of the X3 called the iX3. "In 2020 we will launch the fully electric X3. In it, X and i come together," Krueger said.

Krueger didn’t expand on other EV variants but the brand’s electric flagship is expected to be called the i9. BMW said in May that it will begin production of the i brand’s flagship electric car, code-named the iNext, at its factory in Dingolfing, Germany, in 2021.

The i9 could get a crossover version called the iX9.

BMW’s upcoming 8-series coupe, due to go on sale next year and also built in Dingolfing, could get an electric version called the i8 and a crossover version called the iX8. Krueger did not mention EV versions of the 8 series but he confirmed the 8 series will have a high-performance variant called the M8.

The naming rights suggest BMW may also be planning X8 and X9 models at the top of its expanding SUV lineup. The X9 could serve markets such as the U.S., China, Russia and the Middle East which are showing appetite for models even larger than BMW’s upcoming X7, which is over 5000mm long.

As part of its SUV offensive, BMW launch two new SUVs next year – X2 and the three-row X7 – expanding its lineup comprising the X1, X3, X4, X5 and X6 to seven models.

Krueger said about a third of BMW sales are X-badged models. “Our model offensive is also an X-offensive. That is why I call 2018 the year of the “X.”

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      12-05-2017, 07:55 AM   #2
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Really looking forward to the iX3. But it needs a tow hitch before I place my order, and preferably 4wd too.
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      12-05-2017, 08:03 AM   #3
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This should be interesting. Mainly because BMW i implies weight savings as a key component of a car. And no one has attempted serious weight savings on an SUV yet.

Is it possible we might see actual innovation from BMW again?
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      12-05-2017, 08:04 AM   #4
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not to be confused at all with the cx3, cx5, cx7, or cx9 because you know.. i and c are different letters.
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      12-05-2017, 08:04 AM   #5
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How about announcing a fix for the current i3 recall forcing a stop sale.

Let's get that fixed first...
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      12-05-2017, 08:30 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c63er View Post
This should be interesting. Mainly because BMW i implies weight savings as a key component of a car. And no one has attempted serious weight savings on an SUV yet.

Is it possible we might see actual innovation from BMW again?
If this recent article from Automobile is correct, future i-brand BMW vehicles (except perhaps the next generation i8, and possibly the iNext) will be built on CLAR (and something they call FAAR, which is presumably the next generation UKL) rather than the dedicated carbon core like the i3 employs:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1437646

And seeing as how they seem to have been dead on with the naming prediction, I think they are probably well inside the ballpark with their other information tool.

CLAR has potential for CFRP in the unibody, but I suspect that will remain limited to higher end vehicles for the G generation (or longer). Even the X7, the flagship BMW SUV, may not make use of it (at least as extensively) as the 7 Series did and upcoming 8 Series probably will. Furthermore, even if they do begin to use more carbon fiber in lower end models, for an electric vehicle, that will mainly serve to help offset some of the weight gain a BEV typically exhibits as compared to its ICE counterpart.
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      12-05-2017, 08:36 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JorgenM View Post
Really looking forward to the iX3. But it needs a tow hitch before I place my order, and preferably 4wd too.
All current G01 variants have a tow hitch as an available option. Don't see a reason why an iX3 wouldn't offer the same.
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      12-05-2017, 08:54 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzi View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by JorgenM View Post
Really looking forward to the iX3. But it needs a tow hitch before I place my order, and preferably 4wd too.
All current G01 variants have a tow hitch as an available option. Don't see a reason why an iX3 wouldn't offer the same.
Even BMWs hybrid cars (like the 330e and 530e) can't be delivered with a tow hitch from factory in Europe like their non-hybrid siblings.

You can't just retrofit from a non-hybrid car either, as it's not legal.

Very few electric cars have a tow hitch, even in Europe where every car has a tow hitch.

Tesla Model X is one of very few exceptions.
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      12-05-2017, 08:59 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzi View Post
All current G01 variants have a tow hitch as an available option. Don't see a reason why an iX3 wouldn't offer the same.
Bear in mind that the iX3 may be 2WD only, though admittedly there is nothing to corroborate Automobile Magazine's claim to that effect yet as far as I know.

Have the 2WD variants of the X3 launched in Europe or elsewhere? I know that there is an sDrive30i on the map for the US, but not until next year according to current info. I wasn't sure if a 20i, 20d, or whatever other lower end models are available elsewhere were already offered in sDrive configuration. If so and if those offer decent towing (I imagine a diesel would, even a low powered one) then perhaps that would be a good indication of what to expect for the iX3. Though it would not guarantee anything because, when it comes to EV, range concerns could be incompatible from a marketing perspective with towing.
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      12-05-2017, 09:02 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzi View Post
All current G01 variants have a tow hitch as an available option. Don't see a reason why an iX3 wouldn't offer the same.
iX3 may be 2WD only, though admittedly there is nothing to corroborate Automobile Magazine's claim to that effect yet as far as I know.

Have the 2WD variants of the X3 launched in Europe or elsewhere? I know that there is an sDrive30i on the map for the US, but not until next year according to current info. I wasn't sure if a 20i, 20d, or whatever other lower end models are available elsewhere were already offered in sDrive configuration. If so and if those offer decent towing (I imagine a diesel would, even a low powered one) then perhaps that would be a good indication of what to expect for the iX3. Though it would not guarantee anything because, when it comes to EV, range concerns could be incompatible from a marketing perspective with towing.
Almost every non-electric BMW can be delivered with a factory tow hitch in Europe, included the base 1-series.

Power is not the issue, but heat could be maybe.
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      12-05-2017, 09:12 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by awt View Post
Almost every non-electric BMW can be delivered with a factory tow hitch in Europe, included the base 1-series.
So even the X3 F25 sDrive20i (or for that matter, the AWD 20i model)? I can't imagine that would be able to tow much.

Quote:
Power is not the issue, but heat could be maybe.
Torque is more important than power for towing anyway, and electric vehicles have that in spades. However, given what the poster above said about current BMW PHEVs not being rated for towing, it would seem that towing with the iX3 is unlikely to be supported either.
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      12-05-2017, 09:29 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
Bear in mind that the iX3 may be 2WD only, though admittedly there is nothing to corroborate Automobile Magazine's claim to that effect yet as far as I know.

Have the 2WD variants of the X3 launched in Europe or elsewhere? I know that there is an sDrive30i on the map for the US, but not until next year according to current info. I wasn't sure if a 20i, 20d, or whatever other lower end models are available elsewhere were already offered in sDrive configuration. If so and if those offer decent towing (I imagine a diesel would, even a low powered one) then perhaps that would be a good indication of what to expect for the iX3. Though it would not guarantee anything because, when it comes to EV, range concerns could be incompatible from a marketing perspective with towing.
Good point. iX3 being only 2WD is something I did not consider. I have not heard of any G01 variants with sDrive being released as of yet but could be coming to the US as a 20i sDrive. The 20i xDrive should be here in the spring. I was under the impression that there would be an X3 30d coming to the US and a 20d for other markets...maybe even a M40d(?).

Range would obviously be an issue in an all EV vehicle that would need to tow at least 4k pounds to be of any use. It would be a huge hit if they could produce a iX3 that could tow 4k pounds for any reasonable distance but now see how this would be highly unlikely due to range. I would assume it would have to be an sDrive and the weight savings massive.
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      12-05-2017, 10:25 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by awt View Post
Almost every non-electric BMW can be delivered with a factory tow hitch in Europe, included the base 1-series.

Power is not the issue, but heat could be maybe.
Realoem shows an available hitch for the Countryman SE

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=71_0970

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...563&series=F60
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      12-05-2017, 10:36 AM   #14
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This is intresting stuff. The i SUV should be a AWD, the TH thingy, i'm not so sure. As i am aware, neither the i-pace or the MB EV SUV or Audi upcoming EV SUV have trailer hitch. Tesla is the only EV with this feature, it affects both range and heat i think.

Besides, i do not think future i cars will be as expensive and hardcore as the i3, hardly another Carbon coupe.
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      12-05-2017, 10:37 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
So even the X3 F25 sDrive20i (or for that matter, the AWD 20i model)? I can't imagine that would be able to tow much.
Yes, nearly all BMWs can tow. X3 sDrive20i can tow 2000kg (4400lbs) and X3 xDrive20i can tow 2400kg (5300lbs).

Even the base 1-series with 1.5l engine is delivered with a hitch in Europe.

Remember that it's not that usual with trucks in Europe, so even a tow weight of 2500lbs would be quite helpful for most people. It's not that common to tow more than that, unless you have a caravan or a big boat.
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      12-05-2017, 10:52 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzi View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
Bear in mind that the iX3 may be 2WD only, though admittedly there is nothing to corroborate Automobile Magazine's claim to that effect yet as far as I know.

Have the 2WD variants of the X3 launched in Europe or elsewhere? I know that there is an sDrive30i on the map for the US, but not until next year according to current info. I wasn't sure if a 20i, 20d, or whatever other lower end models are available elsewhere were already offered in sDrive configuration. If so and if those offer decent towing (I imagine a diesel would, even a low powered one) then perhaps that would be a good indication of what to expect for the iX3. Though it would not guarantee anything because, when it comes to EV, range concerns could be incompatible from a marketing perspective with towing.
Good point. iX3 being only 2WD is something I did not consider. I have not heard of any G01 variants with sDrive being released as of yet but could be coming to the US as a 20i sDrive. The 20i xDrive should be here in the spring. I was under the impression that there would be an X3 30d coming to the US and a 20d for other markets...maybe even a M40d(?).

Range would obviously be an issue in an all EV vehicle that would need to tow at least 4k pounds to be of any use. It would be a huge hit if they could produce a iX3 that could tow 4k pounds for any reasonable distance but now see how this would be highly unlikely due to range. I would assume it would have to be an sDrive and the weight savings massive.
Won't happen in all EV form. Batteries are the limiting factor.
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      12-05-2017, 01:39 PM   #17
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I'm not sure which is more complex, Brexit negotiations or resolving BMWs naming structure
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      12-05-2017, 03:13 PM   #18
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Agreed

Quote:
Originally Posted by ron_jeremy View Post
This is intresting stuff. The i SUV should be a AWD, the TH thingy, i'm not so sure. As i am aware, neither the i-pace or the MB EV SUV or Audi upcoming EV SUV have trailer hitch. Tesla is the only EV with this feature, it affects both range and heat i think.

Besides, i do not think future i cars will be as expensive and hardcore as the i3, hardly another Carbon coupe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ron_jeremy View Post
This is intresting stuff. The i SUV should be a AWD, the TH thingy, i'm not so sure. As i am aware, neither the i-pace or the MB EV SUV or Audi upcoming EV SUV have trailer hitch. Tesla is the only EV with this feature, it affects both range and heat i think.

Besides, i do not think future i cars will be as expensive and hardcore as the i3, hardly another Carbon coupe.
Bmw making 2wd 4x4's is shocking. The X5 sdrive25d was an abomination.
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      12-05-2017, 04:18 PM   #19
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So the iBrand is morphing into the BMW brand.

X3e would have been fine with me.
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      12-05-2017, 06:30 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
Torque is more important than power for towing anyway, and electric vehicles have that in spades. However, given what the poster above said about current BMW PHEVs not being rated for towing, it would seem that towing with the iX3 is unlikely to be supported either.
They should support it, the vehicle needs to tow the gas generator that is needed to charge that battery...
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      12-05-2017, 06:54 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ORIGIN M. View Post
So the iBrand is morphing into the BMW brand.
That's it in a nutshell, yeah.

They had to switch course. They conceived the i brand with dedicated platforms servicing relatively niche segments. But now that EVs have become "real" in a relatively short time (thank Tesla for the disruption in the market), you need to cover a lot more market surface area - ultimately, all of the segments your gasoline models cover, really - by sometime next decade. It's no longer a hobby (as Steve Jobs might have said) - it needs to be profitable quickly. That means they need to use more commodity platforms which can support high volumes at reasonable costs. The way to do that is to use evolutions of CLAR and UKL, and to derive the electric models from the existing series models already in development.

Quote:
X3e would have been fine with me.
Well, they had already used the "e" suffix for PHEVs, so I understand the desire for something to set the pure BEV apart.

Looking into the future a bit, the problem I see is that they sort of paint themselves into a corner with this naming convention because once there are two or more electric trim levels they need something different again. Perhaps at that point they'll go back to tacking a number on the end again - "iX3 20, iX3 30, iX3 40". And then maybe a few decades further out when the gasoline variants are gone, they can move the "i" back to the end again, and we'll have come full circle.
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      12-05-2017, 07:05 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ORIGIN M. View Post
So the iBrand is morphing into the BMW brand.
That's it in a nutshell, yeah.

They had to switch course. They conceived the i brand with dedicated platforms servicing relatively niche segments. But now that EVs have become "real" in a relatively short time (thank Tesla for the disruption in the market), you need to cover a lot more market surface area - ultimately, all of the segments your gasoline models cover, really - by sometime next decade. It's no longer a hobby (as Steve Jobs might have said) - it needs to be profitable quickly. That means they need to use more commodity platforms which can support high volumes at reasonable costs. The way to do that is to use evolutions of CLAR and UKL, and to derive the electric models from the existing series models already in development.

Quote:
X3e would have been fine with me.
Well, they had already used the "e" suffix for PHEVs, so I understand the desire for something to set the pure BEV apart.

Looking into the future a bit, the problem I see is that they sort of paint themselves into a corner with this naming convention because once there are two or more electric trim levels they need something different again. Perhaps at that point they'll go back to tacking a number on the end again - "iX3 20, iX3 30, iX3 40". And then maybe a few decades further out when the gasoline variants are gone, they can move the "i" back to the end again, and we'll have come full circle.


About as confusing as Born Electric, when only 1 out of 3 are actually a BEV.
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