- The upcoming 2024 BMW i5 electric sedan has been spied ahead of its expected debut in 2023.
- The BMW iX M60 lists a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds.
The upcoming 2024 BMW i5 electric sedan has been spied ahead of its expected debut in 2023.
Snapshot
- 2023 BMW i5 EV spied testing
- Spotted in range-topping M60 guise
- Set to launch alongside the next-generation 5 Series in 2023
A battery-powered sibling to the next-generation 5 Series, two examples of the i5 were spotted at the Nürburging in Germany by spy photographers.
It’s understood both vehicles are the range-topping, high-performance M60 variant, featuring a blanked-out, grille-mounted M badge and a lip spoiler.
While details on the powertrain are unclear, the larger iX M60 electric SUV has a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup producing 455kW and 1100Nm.
The BMW iX M60 lists a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds.
As with its larger i7 sibling, the i5 will be joined by the eighth-generation 5 Series, which is expected to offer plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid petrol/diesel powertrains.
Inside, the i5 and 5 Series will adopt BMW’s latest design language, with a dual-screen setup running the brand’s latest iDrive 8 operating system.
Other changes include flush door handles shared with the smaller i4 and 4 Series Gran Coupe, while the minimalist gear shifter from the updated 3 Series and X7 is expected to carry across.
While the regular 5 Series will receive an electric option, the M5 performance flagship will retain its iconic V8 engine.
However, it will feature a plug-in hybrid system paired with the BMW’s latest 4.0-litre ‘S68’ twin-turbo V8, as found in the new XM performance SUV.
For reference, the standard XM produces 480kW and 800Nm – up 13kW/50Nm over the M5 CS – while the flagship Red Label outputs 550kW/1000Nm.
BMW will also launch a 3 Series-sized electric vehicle based on its dedicated ‘Neue Klasse’ platform in 2025, but it’s expected the i5 and 5 Series will be underpinned by an updated version of the marque’s CLAR architecture, as found beneath its current rear-drive models.
The electric i5 will compete against the Mercedes-Benz EQE and the forthcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback.
As with BMW, rival brand Mercedes-Benz is readying an all-new E-Class – also tipped to launch in 2023 – to sit alongside the EQE. The latter’s performance flagship, the EQE 53, produces 505kW and 1000Nm, with a claimed 3.5-second 0-100km/h sprint time.
The 2024 BMW i5 and 2024 BMW 5 Series are expected to be unveiled next year, replacing the current model which launched in 2016 and was facelifted in 2020.
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