The German carmakers are gaining momentum: BMW will probably present the fully electric version of the 5 series in 2023.
There will also be an M version of the new i5.
Munich - In the electric competition with the top dog Tesla, the German carmaker has to deliver. In 2023, BMW wants to bring the fully electric version of the 5 series onto the market. As
Focus
reports
online
, the model called BMW i5 will then also appear as an M high-performance variant and rely on the “fifth generation” of electric drive technology. This electric drive is already used in the BMW iX, iX3 and i4 electric cars.
According to the report, the electric version of the 5 series will then be based on the next 5 generation.
This is to be called the G60 and will be presented in autumn 2023 - as a combustion and electric version.
Similar to Volkswagen, BMW will then also use the increasingly popular modular design.
At the Munich-based car manufacturer, the module box is called the CLAR platform and has already enabled the development of the electric BMW i4 parallel to the 4-series with a combustion engine.
BMW i5: New electric car faces strong competition from Audi and Mercedes
The report does not give any technical data.
Only the performance of the upcoming M version is known.
This should be 700 PS or 515 kW.
For comparison: the BMW i4 achieves 230 kW at its peak on the rear axle.
Ultimately, however, the software and battery technology used are decisive.
This is adapted to the respective models.
The previously known data on the M version must therefore be viewed with caution.
At the IAA, the premium brand presented the visions of the in-house electric offensive:
According to the
Focus
report, the interior of the BMW i5 will be based on the iX and i4.
This should also make the mechanical buttons disappear.
Instead, a curved display and a center console with touch-sensitive keypads will probably be installed.
After the presentation of the i5 in late 2023, the market launch is planned for 2024 at the earliest. Then the electric 5 Series will have to assert itself against the Mercedes EQE and the Audi A6 e-tron, whose market launch is expected to take place in 2023.
(PB)
