A heavily revised BMW i3 could debut in 2017, according to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

Reuters reports that company sources informed the local publication of a new i3 coming next year complete with an improved range and an updated design.

Apparently, the brand will install a new high-capacity battery into the electric hatchback allowing it to travel well in excess of the 300 km (186 miles) currently achievable. Just how much further the updated i3 will go isn’t known but it will be an increase of less than 50 per cent.

Already this year, BMW updated the i3 with an improved battery, increasing range by 50 per cent.

Although Volkswagen and Mercedes are planning an onslaught of electric vehicles early next decade, BMW’s i3 and i8 models have experienced lacklustre sales since their respective launches, suggesting the brand jumped the gun by introducing the duo to the market before there was enough demand for EVs.

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