BMW Announces the Arrival of an Electric 5 Series

The next generation of the 5 Series will make its grand debut in a few months. Like the 7 Series or the 4 Series, it will offer a choice between combustion and electric powertrains.

It is now official: the next 5 Series will be offered in a fully electric version. Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of BMW AG, confirmed this at the 2023 annual results conference. This will be a first for this model, which has so far only been powered by combustion engines.

At a time when some are making radical choices and want to put an end to combustion engines, BMW maintains a very pragmatic approach. The new i5 – the official name for the electric 5 Series – will not replace the combustion versions but will complement them. Gasoline and diesel engines will at least be equipped with a mild hybrid system. Plug-in hybrid versions are also planned.

Also an electric 5 Series wagon

Like its combustion counterparts, the i5 will co-exist with an i5 Touring. The latter will present a quite original option in the electric market, where station wagons are still rare. BMW also plans to launch an i5 M for enthusiasts of sporty driving. However, it will be necessary to wait a little longer to discover its technical features. In general, BMW has not yet released any detailed specifications for the i5.

Published by BMW, the teaser image of the i5 under a sheet reveals little. You can barely make out the car’s lighting signature. The dashboard, which will be topped with the BMW Curved Display, will also be unveiled later.

The new 5 Series will be launched in October 2023. The i5 sedan and Touring versions are expected in 2024. The car will be manufactured in Germany, at the Dingolfing plant.

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