Cars
BMW Softens Electric i3 City Car's Boxy Look to Counter Tesla
- Wider track, longer front end meant to soften bug-like look
- Lineup to be expanded with sportier i3s version from November
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BMW AG is giving its bug-like i3 electric car a sporty makeover to boost its appeal and counter Tesla Inc. as the German carmaker prepares to roll out battery-powered versions of its mainstream lineup.
To give it a more conventional look, the updated i3 features a wider track and elongated front end, making it appear less squat. The back end will be less boxy, and the roof slopes slightly toward the rear. From November, the city car’s lineup will be expanded with a sporty version that boasts a top speed of 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour, the Munich-based manufacturer said in a statement.