[paddyrx8]

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Auto Express i5 preview

[JorgenM]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3/...-take-on-tesla

(renders made by artist Avarvarii)





Electric BMW i5 saloon is shaping up to rival the Model 3 and is due to hit showrooms in 2021

BMW’s next i model, the i5, will arrive in 2021 and come with a level of autonomous tech that’s never been seen before, Auto Express can exclusively reveal.

The new model, previewed in our exclusive images, will take its design cues from 2016’s Vision Next 100 Concept, which was revealed as part of BMW’s centenary celebrations. It’s expected the saloon will go head-to-head with Tesla’s forthcoming Model 3, sitting somewhere between BMW’s 3 Series and 5 Series in terms of size, and be fully battery powered. However, early designs are understood to have included the possibility of hydrogen fuel-cell power for the electric motors, too.

BMW has been talking about the new model as iNext, but we understand the i5 badge will position the car as the brand’s latest standard bearer for new tech, just as the i3 and i8 have done. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, BMW’s member of the board responsible for sales and marketing, Ian Robertson, said: “Having recently had the final design review, you can assume that it’s a bigger car rather than a smaller one, and you can assume that the packaging for the next generation of batteries has to be accommodated in such a way that gives the car a certain proportion.

“One thing we’ll see is that – as with most BMWs – you’ll know it’s one of our cars without seeing the badge. Proportionally it has certain design icons – the grille, light treatment and so on.

“With the i products, we’ve established a few new icons, so we’re bringing these forward. You’ll see this as an i product from BMW, without seeing that it’s the iNext.

“That’s always a telling sign for me in design reviews – that we can see that it’s a BMW. The proportions, the short overhangs are BMW positionings; you’ll see that in the iNext.” The i5 is expected to bring a new approach to interior design and space, thanks to new battery tech. As Robertson explained: “I think the iNext phase will have much stronger volume proportions behind it. If the next generation of batteries are smaller, thinner and with no wet and sticky stuff inside them – they’re solid state – then they can be packaged much easier.”

t’s expected that the i5 will launch with level-three autonomous technology, so the vehicle is in full control of all functions with the driver able to take over when needed. Eventually the i5 will be capable of level four and five autonomous driving, where occupants have hardly any input.

BMW’s joint purchase of mapping company Here with Daimler and Volkswagen is playing a key part in that. And it’s working with companies such as computing giant Intel and Mobileye, one of the world leaders in artificial intelligence.

“We’re going to see what we believe to be the first full autonomous capability,” said Robertson. “We’ve assembled quite a powerful group, so putting these big companies together with this company we own [Here] is giving us a powerful move down the autonomous road.”

However, Robertson is very open about the technology not being ready yet. “There are a lot of people talking about autonomous driving at the moment,” he said, “but first of all the technology isn’t robust enough. It’s not good enough to say it will be better for most of the time – it needs to be better all of the time.”

BMW will be putting 40 autonomous 7 Series limousines on the road in the second half of this year. The technology used in the test fleet will then be developed and fine-tuned, eventually forming the basis for the tech fitted in the i5. “Of course, along the way we’ll continue to develop the tech and bring it in to existing cars,” Robertson added. “But the big step will be with iNext.”

By the time the i5 arrives, BMW will have established itself as one of the world’s major players in the electric car market. As well as its current i3 and i8 models, BMW has the biggest range of plug-in hybrid vehicles currently available. The German brand has already sold over 100,000 electrified cars worldwide, with Robertson targeting another 100,000 sales in 2017. The introduction of the new 5 Series plug-in hybrid is likely to be a big hit for fleet customers.

By the time the i5 arrives in 2021, those numbers will have grown substantially, along with expectations. And the new model will be expected to spearhead new growth of fully electric vehicles, as well as leading the charge of BMW’s new breed of autonomous cars.

[mbanks21]

I really hope the actual car looks nothing like that

[Nihilation]

Want. As-is.

[Chihuahua]

Front is terrible. Rear looks like it's an anaconda swallowing a 911. Overall shape of the car is good. My next car will be pure electric and will be a Tesla unless BMW gives me a compelling reason to stay with BMW.

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

I think it looks pretty good: futuristic but in a good way ;-). The rendering's shape is based on the "Vision Next 100" concept and using design elements from the i8.

[buddalun]

Nope.

[ORIGIN M.]

Not a chance.

Think i-Gran Turismo.

With BMW-i design language.

[Paul-Bracq-BMW]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Not a chance.

Think i-Gran Turismo.

With BMW-i design language.

One can only dream... I did see the patent drawings for the i5. I hope they will change their minds and make something less challenging to look at. They have until 2020 for that...

[ORIGIN M.]

The world will reinvent itself in 2020

Originally Posted by Paul-Bracq-BMW

One can only dream... I did see the patent drawings for the i5. I hope they will change their minds and make something less challenging to look at. They have until 2020 for that...

[F22_Raptor]

I actually think it looks good! Except for the headlights, plus it's a huge uograde from the i3.

[MalibuBimmer]

Horrendous. At least it's the right color for the horrible Spongebob Squaerpants front grilles (previously known as kidney grilles).

[c63er]

Beside the looks if the packaging was like that (ie like a normal sedan) bmw would really have something of a winner on their hands. They also need to do this way before 2021. Right now would be the time while it's really only tesla to go against.

Anyone else remember when bmw was ahead of the curve and not behind it.

[Redrckt135]

.

[ObsidianX]

Originally Posted by F22_Raptor

I actually think it looks good! Except for the headlights, plus it's a huge uograde from the i3.

I agree. Looks way better than the i3. My only problem is the headlights look too unlike the distinctive BMW headlights.

[MMVI]

STUNNING. Why can't the 3 series look like this. Maybe that's the plan.

[ron_jeremy]

Inext/i5 is due 2021. Yesterday BMW Norway told us about an all electric mini due 2019. And finally a all electric X3 coming in 2020. The LCI i3 coming this November, i think i'm going to buy it, loving my 16', but the 190km range is a pain. In the winter i'm looking at below 100 km range. Hopefully i'm on my last diesel/gas BMW (F25). Should be very intresting times ahead.

[JMD]

Hmm! I see some things about it that I like,...but here are some recommended changes:

1) Make the kidney grills more horizontal than they are,...sort of like they already are. We don't want to go back to the upright portrait kidney grills from E28s and E30s. Once you go wide,...you never go back.

2) Kill the hybrid accent "blue"! Give the blue accents a "CF" look.

3) Add some E60 headlight design.

4) Give it an active rear spoiler,...sort of E36 M3 designed!

5) Then leave it alone,...while we gawk at it!

Edit: #6) Lose the 'bump thingy' protruding out of the hood...(the bonnet)! Or is that a reflection from something in the ceiling?

[Fabs///M]

I like it ...

[scoobysaurus]

Love it. I'm not a fan of electric cars in general but I'd buy the i5 without hesitation if it ends up looking like that.

But instead we'll be getting this Gran Turd (or is it an Active Turd? Not sure) so I won't keep my hopes up.

[MrBens]

The front grille is much too square, I would prefer a more horizontal evolution. But overall I like it.

[bcjbmwm3]

Originally Posted by F22_Raptor

I actually think it looks good! Except for the headlights, plus it's a huge uograde from the i3.

Complete agree, its not bad, but the headlights ruin it. Makes the front end look too futuristic. Other than that I kind of like it.