宝马为了与特斯拉Model S争夺电动车市场,计划推出i5/i7插电混动车型。这款车的内部编号为F18 PHEV，基于下一代5系长轴距版，这样车辆内部可以有足够的空间容纳电池组。虽然该车是插电混动车，但主要还是以纯电动方式行驶为主，内燃机引擎主要起到增程作用。该车将主要针对北美和中国市场，其造型设计融合6系Gran Coupe和下一代7系车。这款车可提供前驱纯电动，后驱纯电动和全驱混动三种驱动模式。与i8搭载1.5升三缸引擎不同，这款车将搭载更大的四缸引擎，功率180千瓦/245马力，搭配六速自动变速箱和一台两台电机，其中前置电机功率150千瓦/204马力，后置电机功率70千瓦/95马力，综合输出功率达到400千瓦/544马力。车辆在纯电动模式下可行驶129公里，在车辆时速达到64公里以上时，内燃机引擎会自动启动提供强劲动力。宝马可能会在今年9月的法兰克福车展发布i5/i7概念版车型。
BMW reportedly planning i5/i7 plug-in hybrid electric model for 2018 release to rival Tesla Model S
A new rumor has emerged indicating BMW is cooking up an i5/i7 model to take on the Tesla Model S.
According to CAR, Bavaria's rival for the Model S is codenamed F18 PHEV and will be based on the next generation 5-Series in long wheelbase specification, suitable for accommodating the battery pack. While the Tesla Model S is a fully electric vehicle, BMW's competitor will take the shape of a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) but it's being described as primarily an electric vehicle equipped with a more powerful range-extending combustion engine. It will be aimed primarily to North America and China and its design will be a mixture of the current 6-Series Gran Coupe and next-gen 7-Series.
It is believed the model will be able to provide three different driving modes: FWD on electric power, RWD on electric power and AWD in hybrid mode. Instead of the i8's three-cylinder 1.5-liter engine, the car will adopt a larger four-cylinder which should develop about 245 HP (180 kW) and send power through a six-speed automatic gearbox. It will work with a front-mounted electric motor rated at 204 HP (150 kW) and a rear-mounted electric motor developing 95 HP (70 kW) which would enable the model to have a combined output of 544 HP (400 kW).
The report also mentions BMW is developing the model to run primarily as an EV with all-electric range of up to 80 miles (129 km) while the combustion engine will allegedly be programmed to to kick in after the car hits 40 mph (64 km/h).
As a final note, CAR says a concept previewing the i5/i7 could be introduced in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.