BMW has teased the all-electric i5, which will debut alongside the new 5 Series when the latter makes its global debut in October 2023. The teaser image shows the fully covered i5 sedan, and the only design detail that is visible are the daytime running lights. BMW has also confirmed that the i5 sedan will be followed by a high-performance M model and a Touring estate model.
- BMW i5 will be available in sedan and estate body styles
- New-gen 5 Series will come to India in long wheelbase guise
BMW i5 to spawn an M version
Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, believes that an M version of the all-electric i5 will be successful going by the popularity of the smaller i4 M50, which, BMW says, has been the bestselling M model globally in 2022.
BMW is yet to reveal the technical details of the i5 M, but it is likely to be similar to the i4 M50. The i4 M50, for instance, makes 536hp and 727Nm of peak torque from its dual-electric motors. The M version of the i50 could produce similar power output figures and is likely to take on the more performance-oriented variants of the Tesla Model S.
BMW has also confirmed that the regular 5 Series will come with multiple powertrains, including plug-in hybrid, petrol and diesel. The petrol and diesel engines will feature a 48V mild-hybrid system. When it makes its global debut this October, it will rival the E-Class, whose interior was recently revealed with the massive MBUX Superscreen.
New 5 Series for India will be long wheelbase
As we had exclusively reported, the new-gen 5 Series will come to India in the long-wheelbase (LWB) guise in 2024 to rival the E-Class LWB, which is currently the segment leader. Along with more space in the back, the LWB 5 Series will also likely have more features like ventilated rear seats, entertainment screens and a large panoramic sunroof.
BMW recently rejigged the variants of the existing 5 Series in India by discontinuing the 530d and M5 Competition from the range, and launching the 520d M Sport. While the new-gen 5 Series is still some time away, BMW is set to launch the new M2 sports coupe and Z4 convertible in May, followed by the facelifted X5 in August.