BMW’s new all-electric large sedan and its petrol cousin aren’t too far away from Australia.
The brand has yet to officially lock in the launch time, aside from the global press team confirming the first launches for i5 . electric car will take place in October in select markets.
But auto expert understand that the car is on its way to local showrooms before the end of 2023, with a petrol engine 5 Lines follow closely behind it.
Set to be revealed in the coming months, the i5 will take over Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan, along with the next Audi A6 e-tronthe Genesis electrified G80and Tesla Model WILL.
i5 sedan and wagon will sit next to petrol and diesel engines 5 Lines in BMW showrooms, with a similar design – like the i4 next to it 4 Linesbut with unique wheels, details and grille.
Underneath the skin, the i5 rides on a version of the CLAR platform, which will also underpin the petrol 5er and form the basis for i4 And iX Electric Car.
BMW has confirmed it will offer a longer-range, less powerful rear-wheel drive i5 eDrive40 version and a top-spec M60 xDrive all-wheel drive.
How much power they will provide is still unclear; iX xDrive40 produces 240kW and 630Nm, while the M60 makes 455kW and 1100Nm.
Rear-wheel steering, active anti-roll technology and fully active suspension will be offered. BMW promises to combine “driving comfort on par with the BMW 7 Series with the sporty agility familiar from the BMW 3 Series”.
It will also have a new set of active driver support. In some markets, the highway driving assistant is capable of accelerating, braking and steering at speeds up to 130 km/h.
An interior camera means that when the driver looks in the relevant outside mirror, the car will change lanes in that direction if it is safe.
Production of the new i5 will begin in Dingolfing, Germany during the Northern Hemisphere summer before first global deliveries in October 2023.
