BMW i330L and i340L electric vehicles to arrive in China?

Time and again, BMW has put the rest any rumors surrounding the 3 Series electric vehicles. Doubling down on the BMW i4 news in place of it. The first BMW 3 Series electric mule was spotted in Germany back in 2018. However, the 3 Series BEV is, unfortunately, only coming to the Chinese market.

We knew beforehand that for these new electric vehicles new naming convention is being considered. Meanwhile, these two models are dubbed as the BMW i330L and i340L. The naming convention goes in conjunction with the alleged names of the i4.

It is reasonable to say that the badges comes a bit confusing, but going with the usual nomenclature of the higher the number, the car becomes “better” or more expensive. The Chinese-based electric 3 Series adds an “L” at the end, while the BMW i4 is likely to be named i430 and i440.

That definitely points to a long-wheelbase model which, at the same time, is available on the standard 3 Series platform. Accordingly, it would make sense for BMW to offer an electric drivetrain in China which is one of their most popular cars there.

The same powertrain the upcoming i4 model have will also be most likely used in the electric 3 Series platform, where the former is set to be introduced in late 2021. The electric 3 Series could be built atop the Chinese-specific G28 model, also known as the long-wheelbase version of the 3 Series.

Getting its own body style based on the 4 Series Gran Coupe, it’s quite possible for the BMW i4 to be more stylish and bigger than the 3 Series when it comes out, as to ensure that the two won’t appear confusing on the street. That could explain a different price tag and introduction on different markets.

Just by making a couple of small tweaks it is possible to fit in a wide variety of powertrains on the same model, all thanks to the BMW’s modular architecture.

Cars with internal combustion engines could be built alone, PHEVs and EVs on the same assembly line, according to the German car maker. Thus, also allowing them to adapt faster to market demand.

It remains to be seen whether BMW will decide to bring to the market a normal 3 Series Sedan electric. But by 2025, their plans call for at least 12 fully electric vehicles.