German automaker BMW announced plans to officially unveil the first all-electric 5 series sedan i5 on May 24. Now, anticipation builds as the global debut draws near, especially with a leaked official photo circulating the internet.
In hindsight, BMW already previewed the i5 model a few weeks ago but in camouflage form. Finally, after more than six years of waiting, auto enthusiasts get a first glimpse of the i5 after BMW’s 6-year tease.
About the i5
As mentioned, CEO Oliver Zipse recently previewed the i5 model at the BMW Annual Conference 2023 in March, saying that the e-sedan will provide a “truly unique selling point.”
The automaker also asserted that the i5 would sit between the i4 and i7 luxury EV, Electrek reports. It further claimed that the new EV will be “more dynamic and more comfortable than ever” owing to the company’s operating system 8.5, curved display (also equipped in iX e-SUV), and innovative digital services.
Now based on the leaked image, the i5 sports a cleaner front end compared to the usual bulky BMW body. However, its hood remains quite long.
It also has BMW’s traditional kidney grille, which appears to be bigger. Nonetheless, it looks slimmer than the wider i7 model but with the same design.
The i5 also now has flush door handles just like other latest BMW models, offering a more slick side profile for enhanced efficiency. The shoulder line is now retrofitted on top of the door handles.
In addition, the revamped headlights look to have sharper daytime running lights.
As for the vehicle’s reliability, the i5 has already undergone a series of extreme condition tests, such as the following:
- snow and ice in Sweden
- extreme heat
- city and country roads
- test tracks
Apart from that, BMW also stated that it would improve the i5’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with the following features:
- high-res cameras
- radar sensors
- other refined software
We can expect BMW to disclose further details about the i5 on its official debut next week. Notably, the automaker will apparently reveal the 2024 5 Series in ICE, PHEV, and EV forms during the event.
See Also:
- BMW reports more than 100% EV sales growth in Q1 2023
- BMW expects Electric M vehicles to surpass ICEs And PHEVs by 2028
- BMW to rename its entire vehicle portfolio, filings show
- BMW plans to release six Neue Klasse electric vehicles by 2028
- BMW projects its EV volume to triple in the US in 2023
BMW aims to officially begin production this summer, with launch plans in October. That said, the i5 will potentially aid the company in achieving its 2023 target of tripling its EV volume in the US.
For those interested, here is the link for the i5’s debut live stream on May 24.
