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      09-23-2017, 09:42 AM   #15
afadeev
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
I have a feeling that BMW will be saving the higher range batteries for the upcoming i Vision Dynamic. Basically the i3 will be for urban driving <200 mile range, while the i5 or whatever it will be called will be >200 mile range. I don't think that's a smart move with the Tesla 3 and Bolt breathing down its neck, but I also have a feeling that they will announce a >200 mile range i3 next year as new 2019 model, and not just a refresh as this looks to be.
The refresh is just that, a slight bumper tweak and a long overdue "s" model.
I agree that BMW will never properly re-engineer i3 to accept more battery packs (8 cells now). But when Samsung finally releases the increased capacity 120Ah batteries (vs. 94Ah today), i3 will get them. Maybe for a premium price (similar to 60Ah vs. 94Ah price bump), but it will get them, along with a ~25% range increase to ~142 miles.

Alas, that will be not significant enough to matter in range wars, leaving i3 far behind Model 3 and Bolt, as well as other EVs that will hit the market between now and 2020...

a
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