5 Series BMW i5 in the works

[Tapsa70]

BMW could build a larger stablemate to the new i3 electric car, but the firm is having intense internal discussions on what form the new model should take and how it should be powered.

The German manufacturer is launching its eco-focused i sub-brand with two models: the Fiesta-sized i3 – which is available as a fully electric car or as a range-extender – and the i8 supercar, which uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

However, a senior BMW source has told What Car? that the critical success being enjoyed by the Tesla Model S, particularly in the United States, has already convinced many within the i project that there is potential for a model larger than the i3. He also revealed that the company is still deciding whether the new car – likely to be called i5 – would be some sort of crossover with a raised seating position or a conventional saloon.


http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/bmw-i5-already-works/1216687

Probably the positive reception of i3 will fasten to confirm new i models?

 

[SCOTT27]

Probably the positive reception of i3 will fasten to confirm new i models?

https://www.abiresearch.com/press/full-electric-vehicle-shipments-to-exceed-2-millio

 

[dalab]

Scott, you post on another site a drawing or sketch of the i5 and it was very good and I would like if you could post here, it was a 4 door coupe in white and looked very probable to be the true, thanks!

 

[klier]

^ I thought Scott or Eni said the i5 was going to be some sort of crossover. SUV/Van-ish...

I have this feeling that a sedan shape is too conventional for the i line (in BMW's view)

 

[dalab]

^ I thought Scott or Eni said the i5 was going to be some sort of crossover. SUV/Van-ish...

I have this feeling that a sedan shape is too conventional for the i line (in BMW's view)

That is why I want Scott post the sketch here, I could not find it more in the net, but remember was very very good, with all the new elements "i" and the whole style of the brand and it said i5 in the back, is a drawing only but i'like to see again.
According to eni and scott the i6 is the crossover...

 

[SCOTT27]

Scott, you post on another site a drawing or sketch of the i5 and it was very good and I would like if you could post here, it was a 4 door coupe in white and looked very probable to be the true, thanks!

This one?

 

[SCOTT27]

We have set plans in what the next BMWi car will take , it really depends on the situation of what the market is looking for , we could do a Sedan with a crossover variant , or one or the other. But the Tesla Model S is at least showing US Consumption for an electric sedan.

But that report is but one , showing the potential growth projection the market is expected to take and of course we want to be the leader of premium electric mobility and the i3 with over 8,000 orders that's before the 100,000 test drives begin which we expect will bring even more customers . So far with the i8 we are looking at waiting lists for customers who want the first. My colleague was talking to a customer that ordered the i8 but could not decide if he wanted Sophisto Grey or Ionic Silver? My colleague suggested why not both? And he has.

Premium electric mobility is finally coming to the narrative and BMW are spearheading the momentum.

 

[dalab]

Yessss, exactly that one, thank you very much!! is this beatiful or what?

Perfect relationship between," i "- bmw - 4 door coupe: tesla killer, and also agree that one crosover "i6" (would be the first electric) and would be a success.

 

[EnI]

^ I thought Scott or Eni said the i5 was going to be some sort of crossover. SUV/Van-ish...

I have this feeling that a sedan shape is too conventional for the i line (in BMW's view)

The whole time the BMW i product strategy consisted of 3 anchors: a megacity car, a halo sports car, and a family car.
i3 is a megacity car, i8 is a halo sports car, while i5/i6 is destined to be a family i car.

Initially a sedan had been considered in the "Project i" strategic product plan. Then a general trend towards crossovers & SAVs forced BMW i product strategists to reconsider the sedan option - in favor of crossover / SAV. But with the Tesla S success a large sedan / 5dr fastback is again on the table, and being seriously considered. Yet BMW marketing guys want to offer more space & higher sitting position - to attract SUV buyers as well, and not he sedan customers only.

There are some ideas to offer a car similar to 5er GT layout: so, a Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS): a 5dr vehicle with a hatch, coupe-like roof line & elevated sitting position.
The problem is that such crossover hatches are not really popular in US, not even in a premium segment. Therefore a crossover-SAV seems a better idea due to its broader appeal - especially if offered in REx or in Plug-in Hybrid version.
Yet Tesla X is coming in some sort "hatch-on-steroids" layout (similar to 5er GT), and BMW product planning decision makers will monitor the sales performance of Tesla X very closely.

In the end the financial & technical aspect will be a key factor here. Meaning: which vehicle is cheaper to develop & which one would generate higher profit margins & perhaps even higher sales volumes.
A large sedan would be more premium & priced higher yet the sales volume would be lower than the crossover / SAV sales with a bit lower price since it would target a broader customer pool.The numbers will decide exactly what car the i5/i6 will be.

Mind that future BMW core vehicles (like X5, 5er, 7er etc etc) will also be available in plug-in hybrid variants. So it makes much more sense the new i vehicle (i5/i6?) is a full EV or EV+REx, and not a plug-in hybrid. So, which kind of layout is more suitable to be EV / EV+REx?

But in any case ... with the next i model BMW will directly rival Tesla: either the Tesla S or the upcoming Tesla X crossover. And that's quite a challenge for BMW: since the cars will probably be in the same price segment too. So, they'll have to make a car that will rival Tesla in performance & economy & usability.

Anyway, i5/i6 is still in a very early product development phase. I guess BMW bosses will lock their eyes on Tesla for a few months, and then they'll decide how to respond. Since Tesla S has impressed BMW Board members & engineers VERY VERY VERY much.

My opinion? Due to non-universal 5er GT appeal a PAS layout for i5/i6 is not very likely. A large sedan has its space & usability limitations. So a SAVish crossover (some sort a mix of a SUV+MPV/wagon) seems the most optimal choice. It will have a broad appeal, it will be practical & spacious. And sportiness is less important in such car's case than in sedan case, so ... I am under impression the i5/i6 will be a crossover somehow similar to Infinity EX in shape.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

We have set plans in what the next BMWi car will take , it really depends on the situation of what the market is looking for , we could do a Sedan with a crossover variant , or one or the other. But the Tesla Model S is at least showing US Consumption for an electric sedan.

But that report is but one , showing the potential growth projection the market is expected to take and of course we want to be the leader of premium electric mobility and the i3 with over 8,000 orders that's before the 100,000 test drives begin which we expect will bring even more customers . So far with the i8 we are looking at waiting lists for customers who want the first. My colleague was talking to a customer that ordered the i8 but could not decide if he wanted Sophisto Grey or Ionic Silver? My colleague suggested why not both? And he has.

Premium electric mobility is finally coming to the narrative and BMW are spearheading the momentum.

Not to be overly persnickety, but I would place Tesla S as the "spearheader" especially as they have a fantastic offering in the "premium electric mobility" already in the market.

 

[Merc1]

I'm sure they mean among the German car makers, because clearly others like Tesla are already on the market.


M

 

[SCOTT27]

I'm sure they mean among the German car makers, because clearly others like Tesla are already on the market.


M

Exactly. As we said at the launch in Frankfurt, this is not a vision of a further future . The moment is now.

 

[Rainer271]

BMW i5 family car in the works - report

Won't be out before mid-2015
A new report indicates BMW plans on stretching the i3 to come up with an i5 family-oriented model.

BMW has already trademarked the i1 through i8 nameplates so it shouldn't come as a surprise the media is already talking about other "i" models to join the already launched i3 and i8. According to Autocar, the third model of the newly established "i" range is going to be an i5 slotted between the two current models.

While the i3 is four meters long, the i5 is believed to receive a 150mm stretched rear overhang and will offer an additional 100mm of rear legroom. It won't be a very complex and expensive procedure to develop the i5 since the i3 has a separate chassis so lengthening the car would basically require just extending the chassis' longitudinal aluminum extrusions.

There are no details right now about the possibility of installing a more powerful powertrain in the i5 but it should happen taking into account the car will not only be larger, but it will also have to carry more cargo. As a reminder, the i3 offers 170 HP (125 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) from an electric motor working together with a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The BMW i5 is still a couple of years away and we shouldn't expect a launch before mid-2015.


Source: autocar.co.uk

Link: http://www.worldcarfans.com/113112666718/bmw-i5-family-car-in-the-works---report

 

[Sunny]

Please implement my idea of an i6 - a lower sleeker i3 with 2xi3 motor, 35kw battery pack and some decent performance wheels/tires for $90k, a genuine electric 911 competitor. But they won't, they will sit on it till Porsche does it in about a decade.

 

[klier]

^ but we already have that in i8??

 

[Sunny]

^40 grand too expensive and probably very limited production too to be a proper 911 competitor.

 

[klier]

I don't think i8 will be much more expensive than a Carrera S?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I don't think i8 will be much more expensive than a Carrera S?

In the UK the 911 Carrera S is £17,000 cheaper than the i8. In the US the gap is even bigger with the 911 being over $36,000 cheaper than the i8. It's a similar situation in Germany. The gaps are even bigger if you compare it against the standard Carrera, which is reasonable as the performance is about the same.

What are the price differences in Holland? I can't find the selling price of the i8 here.

The prices may be similar due to the BPM imposition on the selling price in Holland which favours more efficient vehicles. This is an unusual situation.

 

[klier]

Actually I was wondering about that because I have yet to see a Dutch price for the i8. But yeah it appears 911 Carrera S is much cheaper than i8 in most markets..

 

[Centurion]

Please make the i5 as tasteful as the Tesla Model S. The world needs more electric cars that look that slick.