Next year, BMW will introduce the i5, the electric version of the 5 Series G60. This executive saloon (segment E), which will be available in sedan and family (Touring) versions, will compete with the Audi e-Tron GT, Mercedes-Benz EQE, Porsche Taycan, and Tesla Model S, as well as against the future Audi A6 e- thunder
According to a report published by BMW BLOG, the new model will be available in three versions: eDrive40 (rear-wheel drive), xDrive40 (all-wheel drive), and M50 (all-wheel drive). It will therefore mirror the range of its smaller brother, the i4 (segment D), which although currently only available with the eDrive40 and M50 variants, will soon receive an xDrive40 version.
The technical specifications of the powertrain should not vary too much from the i4. Thus, the eDrive40 could offer 340 hp (250 kW) of power and 430 Nm of torque, the xDrive40 326 hp, and 630 Nm, and the M50 544 hp (400 kW) and 795 Nm. However, the 80.7 kWh battery pack probably won’t hold up.
Previous rumors indicated that BMW could bet on a more capable pack taking advantage of the greater battle of the i5 concerning the i4. This would allow the new model to stand up to the future Audi A6 e-Tron, whose autonomy will be around 700 km WLTP in some versions. So we shouldn’t rule out reusing the 111.5 kWh batteries already seen in the iX.
The BMW i5 could share its battery pack with the iX
The charging power will not vary concerning the rest of the range; therefore, you are possibly limited to a 210 kW peak in direct current. If you finally use the iX pack, it should take about 35 minutes to go from 10 to 80% charge, far from the times offered by the e-Tron GT and Taycan (5-80% in 22.5 minutes), which at Like the future A6 e-Tron, they use an 800-volt electrical system instead of 400.
Aesthetically, there will not be too many changes concerning the thermal Series 5 . Therefore, only the grille (which will become blinded), bumpers, rims, and the diffuser will vary. The Touring version will possibly achieve a lower autonomy than the sedan, as it will be heavier and will have a somewhat worse drag coefficient.
The BMW i5 will be one of the last BMW electric cars to use the CLAR modular platform, which is 2025 will be replaced by the new “Neue Klasse” architecture, optimized to house 100% electric powertrains. Among other improvements, the “Neue Klasse” platform will incorporate an 800-volt electrical system.
