BMW has shown a first preview of the imminent i5, the 100% electric version of the eighth generation 5 Series. The new model, which will be launched in October, will complete the electrified offer of the popular executive saloon, which will also have variants mild-hybrid (gasoline and diesel) 48-volt and plug-in hybrid.
Oliver ZipseChairman of the Board of Directors of BMW, has confirmed during the group’s annual conference that the i5 will also enjoy a variant of high-performance M Performance. “The all-electric BMW i4 M50 shows how BMW combines dynamic performance and electric mobility to perfection. It was the best-selling BMW M model worldwide in 2022. An all-electric BMW M Performance model will also be included in the new 5 Series range.”
As well as as a sedan, the BMW i5 also will be offered with a five-door Touring estate body. “The BMW 5 Series Touring is very popular, especially in Europe. Starting in spring 2024, it will also come in an all-electric version, giving us a truly unique selling point in this segment.”
The BMW i5 will be manufactured at the German plant dingolfing, located in Lower Bavaria. These facilities, the company’s largest in Europe, will be 50 years old in 2023. Currently, the 7 Series, 8 Series, iX and i7 come out of its lines, which leads us to think that the newcomer will have much in common with these last two models.
The BMW i5 will share the factory with the iX and i7
This factory also houses the company’s competence center for the production of electric drive systems, whose tasks include manufacturing electric motors and batteries for the new i5 on-site.
From an aesthetic point of view, our protagonist will differ from the 5 Series with an internal combustion engine due to a series of small cosmetic modifications: a completely blinded grille, specific bumpers, aerodynamically designed wheels and the use of various colored decorative elements. blue. In technological matters, we should highlight the inclusion of the iDrive 8.5 system associated with the BMW Curved Displayconsisting of two screens.
Framed in the E segment (executive sedans), the BMW i5 will make use of the CLAR multi-energy platform. Its battery pack is expected to be similar to that of the iX, which has a capacity of 111.5 kWh, which would allow it to approach the 700km WLTP of approved autonomy. As for the load, it can possibly reach a peak power of 200 kW in direct current (10-80% in about 30-35 minutes).
