New Cars for 2017: BMW
i3 (shown above): The lithium-ion battery pack in BMW’s funky EV runabout grows from 22 kWh to 33, which means an increase in rated range from 81 miles to 114. And because qualifying as a zero-emissions vehicle in California requires that a car such as the i3—which offers an optional range-extending gas engine—have greater range on electric power than it has on gas, the larger battery means the BMW can now offer buyers opting for the range extender an extra half-gallon of fuel capacity. Actually, BMW previously “limited” the tank amount by shutting off the fuel pump after 1.9 of the tank’s 2.4 gallons were gone. So the fuel tank remains the same, but the pump now gives you all of it. Seriously, we are not making this up. See official photos and info ››
X4: The new M40i trim level replaces the xDrive35i. Like the rest of BMW’s SUV lineup, the X4 M40i sticks with the older, N55-generation inline-six. In this application, the engine makes 355 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque, up from an even 300 for both in last year’s 35i. The suspension is stiffer, the all-wheel-drive system is recalibrated, and a sport exhaust system is fitted. Gray exterior accents and unique M trim inside set the M40i apart.
5-series: An all-new 5-series is expected to emerge later this year or early next as a 2017 model. It will share some chassis and powertrain components with the 7-series, and the M5 will push more than 600 horsepower to all four wheels.
Minor trim changes: i8, 2-, 3-, 4-series
Unchanged: Alpina B6, Alpina B7, M2, M3, M4, M6, X1, X3, X5/M, X6/M, 6-, 7-series
Dead: Z4 (expect the next-gen car—which is being co-developed with Toyota—to debut for the 2018 model year)
