BMW to reduce range to focus on electric options

BMW is set to cut down the number of models on offer in order to develop electric and autonomous technology.

According to Next Green Car, with a number of new electric models due to arrive in the next year or so, the German giant will streamline its manufacturing processes with additional investment in R&D planned.

BMW head of finance Dr Nicolas Peter said: "The next three years [R&D spending] will be between 5.5 and 6 per cent.

“We have over 100 steering wheels on offer. Do we need that many variants? In the 5 series, we have four diesel engines on offer. I would not bet on there being four diesel engines on offer in the next generation vehicle."

Increased numbers of iPerformance PHEV models are due with each core new model launched, along with an all-electric X3 and Mini EV.

BMW has confirmed that an i8 Roadster will arrive next year, joining the existing i8, i3, 225xe, 330e, 530e, X5 40e, and 740(L)e in the plug-in line-up.