Upcoming BMW Group Cars – BMW X2 And X7 Confirmed For 2018, New X3 To Be Revealed In 2017

Bavarian car major BMW has announced its big plans for the next three years with a strong focus on electric mobility. The carmaker sees its electrified cars contributing as much as 15 to 25 per cent of its total global sales in 2025.

The group, comprising of three car marques – BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, will have forty new and updated products launched in the course of 2017 and 2018. The new cars that are set to launch (globally) in the coming years (with timeline) are:

Year 2017

Eighth-gen Rolls-Royce Phantom

The brand that is considered by many as the zenith of luxury automobiles is working on the new generation of its flagship, the Phantom. The eighth-gen Rolls-Royce Phantom will get a new aluminium architecture. In a recent statement, BMW has revealed that the new generation products will be built on flexible architectures which will allow them to integrate multiple drivetrains (read electric and plug-in hybrid) into the series production models. So, besides the petrol-powered Phantom, chances are that the eighth-gen Phantom may get a hybrid powertrain in future.

The new Rolls-Royce Phantom will be an evolution of the recently-discontinued seventh-gen Phantom. The latest set of spy shots, possibly of the extended wheelbase Phantom (look at the size of the rear window), reveal minor exterior changes, the most obvious being the signature BMW shark fin antenna on the roof. The partly camouflaged tail-lamps could be different, the ORVMs are more angular, and the dual rear exhausts aren't tucked under the rear bumper anymore. The Phantom will continue to get the authoritative large front grille with multiple vertical slats.

New BMW X3

The new BMW X3 will be revealed in 2017; however, its India launch may happen next year only. The upcoming X3's design is an evolution of the current model. Up front, the new X3 gets a bigger grille and a new front bumper minus the big fog lamps. On the side, the X3 seems to have gained length, and the shoulder line appears to be straight this time around. The rear will see significant design changes happening around the bumper, with the dual exhausts now placed on the either side. The new X3 will certainly be more loaded than before; however, details about the powertrain options and equipment list are still under covers.

BMW 5 Series long wheelbase & Touring

US-spec BMW 5 Series

BMW recently launched the seventh-gen 5 Series sedan globally. Based on the 5 Series, two other body styles – long wheelbase and touring - will come in 2017. The new 5 Series is expected to come to India soon, but not in the E-Class-like long wheelbase format. The long wheelbase BMW 5 Series is being developed specifically for China for now. The practical body styles of the 5 Series will include a touring version (estate-like), which, like the long wheelbase 5 Series, is not India-bound at the moment.

MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid

BMW revealed the MINI Countryman's plug-in hybrid version last year, and the car is set for its global launch in mid-2017. The MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 will get a 3-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combination that will produce a total output of 227PS. India launch, for now, seems unlikely.

Year 2018

BMW i8 Roadster

2012 BMW i8 Spyder concept

2018 will see BMW's flagship electric model, the i8, dropping its roof. The i8 Roadster will be stunning to look at, will be fast (expected to be quicker than the i8, which goes from 0-100kmph in 4.4s), and may have a longer driving range as well!

BMW X7

BMW has had no answer to Audi's Q7 and Mercedes-Benz' GLS SUVs in the past. The X7 promises to be BMW's most-luxurious 7-seater SUV ever. And if you thought we're exaggerating, BMW officially says that the big SUV will complement the 7 Series, which is the flagship sedan in BMW's portfolio. We're still a little far from the SUV's market launch and will, therefore, refrain from betting on the engines that are going to be on offer.

BMW X2

BMW may have stated clearly that its focus will be on high-end cars and electric vehicles, but the luxury carmaker will continue to expand its compact SUV portfolio too. Filling the gap between the BMW X1 and X3 will be the new BMW X2, the concept form of which was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. From the looks of it, the X2 will be more of a crossover than a conventional SUV.

Year 2019

All-electric MINI

BMW's all-electric MINI, which is set to launch in 2019, is still a mystery. Since BMW will be developing all its cars with an architecture that can include sundry powertrain options, the all-electric MINI could be based on one of the current MINI cars.

Year 2020

All-electric BMW X3

Details about the all-electric BMW X3 are scarce, and its launch is still a good 3+ years away. BMW will be launching the new X3 in 2017 and three years from then, you may see the X3 getting a mid-life update, which is when it could get the electric powertrain.

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