German automaker BMW has announced that it plans to introduce a newly redesigned version of the BMW i3. The new i3, which is set to be rolled out in 2017, will sport an overhauled façade as well as tweaks under the hood.

One major feature that BMW promised is a bump on the car's battery pack. The current BMW i3 model is rated to have a maximum range of 186 miles. BMW promised that this range limit would be significantly improved with the 2017 i3 model.

BMW said that the revamped i3 would sport a new front and rear design. The company is yet to confirm the details of these changes, but there are speculations that it will mark a dramatic improvement with regards to the current design. Some say that a redesigned i3 might generate hype for the car, and this could attract potential buyers who are not impressed with the current design, according to Engadget.

Despite these promised changes and improvements, the BMW i3 is poised to face major hurdles and competitions along the way. For one, Tesla has promised that the company's new Model 3 has a minimum range of 214 miles. That is a significant boost compared to the current electric vehicles on the market. Moreover, the Chevy Bolt has an average range of 238 miles, essentially beating almost every competition in the market.

Aside from the revamped i3, BMW is also making headway in the autonomous car industry. Earlier this year, the company signed a partnership deal with Intel and Mobileye. The trio will work on an open platform for autonomous cars that is slated to be launched in 2021, according to Tech Times. Mobileye worked with Tesla to develop the automaker's Autopilot system, but the two parted ways back in September.