Autocar confidential: Volkswagen ditches coal, BMW plans the i3's future and more

BMW i3 S - front Our reporters empty their notebooks to round up this week's gossip from across the automotive industry

In this week's round up of automotive gossip, we take a look at BMW's plans for future electric models, Jaguar's subtle interior ethos and more.

BMW’s theory of EV-olution 

The BMW i3 could spawn multiple successors rather than a single new car, says product management boss Peter Henrich. “Do we need one specific successor to bring the i3’s spirit and technology into multiple other vehicles?” Henrich said. “That is what we will be thinking about.” 

Volkwagen’s coal goal

Volkswagen says it will convert its two power stations in Wolfsburg – which supply five factories and the local town – from coal to gas over the next three years. The £350 million scheme will use ‘combined-cycle’ gas and steam turbines to create electricity and heat, reducing CO2 by about 60%.

Jag keeps it simple

Jaguar’s interior design will never stray into flamboyance, according to design boss Ian Callum. “Everything should be there for a purpose,” he said at the recent launch of the revised XE. “Some of the flourishes adorning the cabins of our rivals go too far – at least for a Jaguar. Beauty is about something being easy on the eye. It’s about good taste.” 

Power paradox

Seat CEO Luca de Meo sees the current state of public electric car charging as a chicken and egg situation, but is confident governments and automakers will align eventually. “The infrastructure leaders are waiting for us to prove electric cars work, and we are saying we don’t have the infrastructure we can’t sell enough cars. We know there will be a market for them, we will sell cars that need to be charged.”

Read more

Bolder looks, classier cabin, more tech for 2019 Jaguar XE​

Updated BMW i3 gets longer range​

Seat to add six electrified models by 2021 after record 2018​

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