BMW will launch its electric and autonomous car in 2021, according to Chief executive Harald Krueger. The CEO confirmed the news and said the car will be called Next 100. The news was revealed during the company’s celebration of 100 years in business.

At the celebration, the 95th Annual General Meeting, Krueger said that the revolution in automotive engineering begun with the electric i3, adding that BMW has sold more than 50,000 i-branded vehicles so far.

BMW Next 100 autonomous car
BMW announce it will launch the Next 100 autonomous and electric car in 2021. Credit: Roadandtrack.com

The CEO added that they want to expand the BMW line-up, creating a new model. But first, he said the company will offer a new version of the i3 with 50 percent more battery capacity. Then, in 2018, will launch a BMW i8 Roadster. And in 2021, the company will launch the BMW iNext, which will have autonomous driving, digital connectivity, intelligent lightweight design, a new interior and the next generation of electro-mobility.

More details about the car have not been revealed. The company said it will be one of the most advanced cars ever manufactured by BMW.

Before this new project, BMW presented in March the new concept of self-driving called Vision Next 100. The company wanted to compete against other car manufacturers and positioned it above the 7 Series.

BMW is not the only one

Tesla, Mercedes, and Audi are already planning to launch their autonomous cars by 2018. This means the iNext will be in the market three years after everyone else.

Krueger said he thinks BMW will enter the self-driving car market slowly and gradually, but with all the command on technology.

Telsa is currently running its autonomous pilot feature in a beta version. Toyota also announced is investing $1 billion in its driver-assist technology.

Also, Google and Apple are playing a role in the new technology. Apple is investing $1 billion in Chinese ride-hailing company, Didi Kuaidi, which is pushing further into autonomous cars.

Source: Tech Crunch