In 2011, BMW made a big step toward an electrified future with the BMW i sub-brand. Two years later, the i3 city was unveiled, followed by the i8 sports car in 2014. Ever since the i3 arrived in showrooms there's been talk about BMW planning to expand the i family with a sedan that would go against the Tesla Model S. Come 2017 and BMW finally confirmed those plans with the i Vision Dynamics. Launched at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, it's the company's first all-electric sedan and likely previews a production model that should be unveiled by the end of 2018.

Part of the brand's "Number One > Next" strategy, which should see 25 vehicles with electrified drive systems -- include 12 all-electric model -- arrive by 2025, the i Vision Dynamics is a "four-door gran coupe" that showcases how BMW sees future EV mobility "between the i3 and the i8." In short, this concept car previews a sedan that's much larger than the i3, but slots below the i8 in terms of performance. Sounds like the German firm is working on a four-door EV that could compete with the popular Tesla Model S.

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Modern BMW Looks with a Twist

Design-wise, the i Vision Dynamics is definitely a Bimmer, sporting many of the styling cues seen on the i3 and i8. Highlights include a balanced mix of angular line with muscular features, especially around back, as well as sporty side skirts and slender light units. However, we can also see a bunch of never-before-seen design features.

The first new design that catches the eye is the front grille. Although shaped like a traditional BMW kidney grille, it proposes a new style. The upper section forms two lumps with the hood and sets the BMW roundel in a small recess. The center section is almost seamlessly integrated into the front bumper, while the lower part runs deep into the bumper. To round things off, the aluminum-style trim has bright-blue edges for a more exotic look. The sharp bumper lines and the slim, boomerang-shaped headlamps further enhance the front fascia's sporty looks.

The rear isn't as aggressive, but we can also find a couple of new design features here. First up, the taillights are extremely thin. However, while on current production cars they're integrated into the body, on this concept they are placed on the trunk lid as individual, 3D-effect elements. Although BMW describes them as "L-shaped," I think they look like high-heel shoes.

Onto the sides, the lines are rather simple and far from futuristic, but the symmetrical glass house stands out. While all vehicles usually have asymmetrical widows, with the rear ones being significantly smaller, the i Vision Dynamics has almost identical glass areas for the front and rear passengers. I'm not particularly fond of the shape to be honest, but BMW says that the idea behind this concept is to allow "all passengers an equally good view out, highlighting the attention paid to the passengers and the shared driving experience in the interior." Speaking of enhanced driving experience, it's further improved by the full-length glass surface running from the windscreen to the rear window.

High-Performance Drivetrain

BMW had nothing to say about the electric motors and battery powering the concept, but it did say that the sedan can hit 62 mph from a standing start in only four seconds. This impressive benchmark is paired with a top speed of over 120 mph, which is pretty solid for an EV. The range is arguably its most important feat, being rated at 600 km. This converts to 373 miles, which is more than enough to give an EV like the Tesla Model S a run for its money.

All told, the i Vision Dynamics is a promising concept car in terms of aesthetics and performance, but it remains to be seen how much of this will trickle down into the upcoming BMW i5.

References

BMW i5

Read our full speculative review on the BMW i5.

BMW i8

Read our full review on the BMW i8.

BMW i3

Read our full review on the BMW i3.