The all-new BMW 5-series (i5 ) will break cover shortly. It is being built in Germany. The all-electric 5-Series will be launched in October, going on-sale in Europe soon after, so possibly available here in right-hand drive from the year-end. The all-new i5 will target competitors such as the Mercedes EQE, Tesla Model S, and Audi E6.
The new BMW i5 reported to be arriving in 335 hp eDrive40 & circa 610 hp M60 xDrive variants.
The new 5-Series is also expected to come in petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid. However, don’t expect a performance M version of the i5 saloon.
However, an i5 Touring has also been confirmed by BMW, with unconfirmed reports saying there will be a choice of two variants, most likely xDrive40 and possibly a performance model, which would appeal to the home market. The availability of a saloon and Touring models with similar body design to the standard petrol and diesel versions is seen a potential sales advantage for BMW.
Entry-level models if the i5 will be powered by the same tried and tested 80kWh battery pack from the i4 with a promised range of circa 500km. Also similar to the BMW i4, the new i5 will come as rear-wheel-driven and all-wheel-drive.
The BMW i5 in spy pictures appears to have vertical futuristic headlamps. They could become the new signature design cue for BMW EVs.
The most recent news from BMW on their first-ever Series with a fully electric drive system, was that it has already come through the ultimate endurance test. The new BMW i5 repeatedly demonstrated both the stability of its electric powertrain and its dynamic performance qualities over the course of arduous test drives in wintry conditions. The programme of testing on ice and snow lasted about a year in all, from the initial test runs to the final stages of fine-tuning.
During the extensive testing on country roads, motorways and specially prepared test tracks, the development engineers mainly focused their attention on the car’s ability to drive at low temperatures and on surfaces offering little grip.
The first-ever BMW 5 Series with a fully electric drive system has yet to make its global debut, but it has already come through the ultimate endurance test. The new BMW i5 repeatedly demonstrated both the stability of its electric powertrain and its dynamic performance qualities over the course of arduous test drives in wintry conditions. The programme of testing on ice and snow lasted about a year in all, from the initial test runs to the final stages of fine-tuning.
During the extensive testing on country roads, motorways and specially prepared test tracks, the development engineers mainly focused their attention on the car’s ability to drive at low temperatures and on surfaces offering little grip. BMW said that the integrated application of all powertrain and chassis systems underpins the outstanding handling abilities displayed by the BMW i5 in winter testing.
