BMW plans an autonomous EV for 'next era of mobility'

BMW's strategy for the next 10 years will include an all-new autonomous electric vehicle called iNext, CEO Harald Krueger said at the group's annual financial press conference.

The car will come "early in the next decade," said Krueger, who presented his strategy Wednesday, March 16.

"BMW iNext heralds the next era of mobility," said Krueger. "This symbol of our technology leadership will demonstrate how we will bring the future of mobility into series production.

"The iNext will cover all aspects relevant in the future: autonomous driving, digital connectivity, intelligent lightweight construction, a trendsetting interior and the next generation of electro-mobility."

Klaus Froehlich, board member for r&d, said the iNext also will feature lightweight engineering and a "futuristic interior." 

"In the years ahead," he said, "iNext will be what our BMW 7 series is today: individual mobility in its finest and most contemporary form." 

Krueger also said BMW will build an open-top version of the i8 plug-in hybrid roadster in 2018 and Mini will get a hybrid model. Timing for the new Mini was not provided. He also confirmed the 50 percent increase in range to 120 miles from 81 for the 2017 i3 as well as unspecified design changes to the compact EV. 

Krueger said the full-size X7 crossover that will be built at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, S.C., will go on sale in 2018. "We are also taking an in-depth look at the additional potential of this highly attractive segment," he said. 

BMW launched project i 2.0 to work on autonomous and fully networked driving. The focus on technology moves BMW into the second phase of the i series, launched in 2007 to make the brand more sustainable and to develop EV technologies. 

The new phase of i will focus on high-definition digital maps, sensor and cloud technologies and artificial intelligence, the company said. 

"With project i 2.0, we will lead the field of autonomous driving," said Froehlich. "We will turn research projects into new kinds of industrial processes, bringing future technology onto the road." 

BMW also announced it will increase the number of high-margin luxury vehicles like the 7 series and its M high-performance range.