BMW to offer new version of i3 electric car in 2017

Current BMW i3 at a charging station

BMW plans to launch a new version of its i3 electric car next year with a longer range and revamped design, German weekly Welt am Sonntag reported, citing company sources.

The rumor comes as a surprise considering BMW has just updated the i3 to give it more range and some additional features. According to the report, BMW will rework the front and rear of the i3 and equip the car with a new battery to increase its range substantially beyond the current 300 km maximum, the increase is said to be below 50 percent.