In the absence of a few months for its official presentation, BMW continues testing the i5 in winter conditionsthe 100% electric version of the upcoming 5 Series. This executive saloon (segment E) is undergoing an intense program of tests on ice and snow with the aim of adjusting the performance of its propulsion train and the response of its chassis.
Throughout this program, which it has lasted about a year from the first tests to the final tuning stagesdevelopment engineers have focused primarily on the car’s ability to drive in low temperatures and on surfaces with little grip, see icy mountain roads or frozen lakes.
“The innovative powertrain and chassis control systems of the new BMW i5 go a long way to optimizing traction, dynamism and driving stability, and nowhere is this more evident than on a solid layer of snow. […]. These dynamic winter tests were carried out under the intense cold of winter test center of the BMW Group in Arjeplog in northern Sweden«.
The BMW i5 will be available with two bodies: a four-door sedan and a five-door estate (Touring). It will be based on the multi-energy platform CLAR Already seen in the i4 and i7, being one of the last models of the company to use it, since it will be replaced in 2025 by the Neue Klasse. Among its rivals will be the Audi A6 e-tron, the Mercedes-Benz EQE and the Tesla Model S.
The BMW i5 will be presented throughout 2023
Although from an aesthetic point of view the i5 will be roughly identical to the 5 Series, it will receive some cosmetic tweaks that will allow it to differentiate itself from its thermal brother: a completely blind grille, specific bumpers, aerodynamically designed wheels and the use of various decorative elements in blue.
The i5 is expected to become BMW’s longest-range electric car, possibly approaching the 700km WLTP. Its battery pack should be similar to that of the less aerodynamic iX, an SUV of similar length that has 111.5 kWh of capacity and certifies a 630km WLTP range. As for the load, it will be able to reach a maximum power of 200 kW in direct current (10-80% in 30-35 minutes).
Initially, it will be available in three versions: eDrive40 (rear wheel drive), xDrive40 (all-wheel drive) and M50 (all-wheel drive). The eDrive40 should offer 340 PS (250 kW) and 430 Nm, the xDrive40 326 PS and 630 Nm, and the M50 544 PS (400 kW) and 795 Nm.
