At the BMW Annual Convention 2023, the company unveiled further details alongside providing a sneak peek at its inaugural fully electric 5 Series, the i5 sedan, set to debut in October. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse revealed plans to introduce a fully electric variant to its high-performance M division, further expanding the brand’s electrified offerings.
BMW unveils further details on its electric 5-Series sedan.
Since its inception over five decades ago in 1972, BMW has manufactured more than 10 million units of its iconic 5 Series, with a remarkable seven distinct generational evolutions.
Notwithstanding the 5-series’ most significant upgrade this year, it’s going fully electric. According to Zipse, the BMW i5, the company’s inaugural electric 5-series sedan, is poised to provide the manufacturer with a uniquely distinct marketing platform.
The highly anticipated arrival of the new i5 sedan is set to take place in October, with its electrically powered i5 Touring counterpart scheduled to follow suit in 2024. As part of its long-term strategy to expand its all-electric offerings, BMW has committed to a systematic rollout of these innovative vehicles.
The production of the brand-new sedan is expected to commence shortly at BMW Group’s primary European facility, located in Dingolfing, Bavaria, Germany, where it will be manufactured exclusively at their largest plant on the continent.
According to BMW, the upcoming i5 electric sedan is poised to occupy a specific position within the brand’s lineup, slotting in between the mid-range 3 Series and premium 7 Series sedans.
While cost specifics remain unclear, BMW has subtly signaled its intention to introduce lower-priced electric vehicles (EVs), diverging from the approach taken by several competitors, including Mercedes-Benz, that have opted out of this pricing tier.
BMW’s newly launched 5 Series boasts an “unparalleled level of dynamism and comfort,” featuring the integrated BMW Operating System 8.5, a curved display inspired by its iX electric SUV, and cutting-edge digital amenities.
Zipse posited that a fully electric efficiency-oriented M variant could potentially be integrated into the BMW 5 Series lineup, following the impressive performance of the electrified BMW i4, which emerged as the top-selling BMW M model in 2022, stating that this development would allow customers to experience the thrill of driving an M vehicle while also embracing sustainable mobility.
Here’s an improved version of the text: The BMW i4 M50, a sleek all-electric sedan, masterfully combines dynamic performance with efficient electrical mobility.
The i5 is poised to join forces with BMW’s burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) lineup, alongside the newly introduced iX1, the manufacturer’s smallest EV set to launch this fall, as well as the BMW i7, which debuted last year.
Despite a robust BEV offering that keeps BMW’s order books full, the company maintains a cautious tone as it approaches 2023, citing concerns over rising interest rates and inflation.
