Although not as revolutionary as something like the Tesla Model S, the BMW i3 was still radical for being the first battery-powered production BMW. There’s just one problem: people seem to think it’s really ugly.
According to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, BMW is going to give the i3 a serious redesign for next year in order to tempt more buyers towards the dinky five-door.
The report claims that the i3 will get a whole new front and rear as part of the update, though so far there are no details or leaked images to offer any idea of what it could look like.
Some have suggested that it could make a reappearance as a mini-crossover, but it’s likely that it will retain its hatchback shape, just with a slightly sleeker aesthetic.
That’s not all though, as the paper also says that BMW will pack it full of new battery technology in order to boost its range and better compete with the likes of Tesla’s upcoming Model 3.
The current i3 can travel for 114 miles on a full charge or up to 180 when buyers specify the Range Extender version, but that’s still a long way off the Model 3’s purported 215-mile range.
Welt am Sonntag didn’t say how much range the updated i3 will have, but noted that it will be an increase of up to 50 per cent, so approximately 160 miles at the maximum for the regular model.
