BMW’s future model plans revealed

Some gems are shining through the murk of BMW’s ever-evolving product plan. There will definitely be an X8M, an SUV-coupe rival to the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and Audi Q8. And there will be the polar opposite: a small electric car jointly developed by Mini and Great Wall.

Not so clear elsewhere. Current thinking at BMW is to focus on two relatively a ordable (due to using high-strength steel and not anything more exotic) sets of architecture, both of which are flexible about powertrain type and can be scaled up or down. FAAR WE is for smaller front- and all-wheel drive; CLAR WE is for larger rear- and all-wheel drive. Expect FAAR to bring a new X1 and iX1 in 2022, and CLAR a new 7-series and i7 in 2023. The i3 will also soldier on until 2023. Before then we’ll get the i4 and the production version of the iNext: an X5-sized EV.

There’s no i1 or i2 in the plan, but we predict there will be electric versions of the next 2-series Active Tourer, X2 and Mini Countryman. And there’s talk of an electric Rolls Phantom, although at this stage it’s projected to weigh 3.6 tonnes, thus requiring an HGV licence...

New chief executive Oliver Zipse (below, with the Vision iNext) is banging the drum for ‘lifecycle extension’, giving every model an extra three or four years, and not one but two facelifts. It’ll save cash and keep BMW’s options open about when certain features are added, for instance autonomous capability.