Stefan Sielaff, Bentley’s Director of Design and co-creator of the EXP 100 GT Concept, has recently voiced his opinions on some other automotive brands, calling the BMW i3 exterior ‘ugly’, among other things.
He applauded the boldness with which the Bavarian carmaker approved the i3 for mass production, but ventured the opinion that most people who buy this car do so for reasons altogether unconnected with its appearance.
The original BMW i3 Concept was introduced in 2011 to a squall of highly controversial feedback. Despite the criticisms, the company proceeded to greenlight it into production almost without modifications, ending up with a rather unique, if odd, entry in its product lineup.
For its part, BMW says it does not intend to discontinue the compact hatchback EV anytime soon. While the i8 Hybrid will depart from the assembly lines in a couple months, the i3 will hang around until 2024 or so.