BMW’s first electric 5 Series – the i5 – is due to break cover in a handful of weeks, though Australian deliveries aren’t slated to begin until 2024.
German car-maker BMW has continued to tease the upcoming i5 electric sedan – a battery-powered variant of the new 5 Series – ahead of the model’s unveiling later this month.
In a post on social media platform Instagram, BMW uploaded a short video of the upcoming electric car in a dimly-lit environment, highlighting the i5’s illuminated kidney grille and headlight signature.
According to BMW’s video, the i5 will make its debut on May 24 European time – not in October 2023 as previously reported.
MORE: 2023 BMW i5 M60 prototype review – First drive
The car-maker later uploaded a second teaser video to the platform, previewing the interior of the i5 with red and blue ambient lighting, as well as a large curved touchscreen.
As previously reported, the i5 and new 5 Series are set to adopt a dashboard layout similar to the flagship i7 and 7 Series, which incorporates BMW’s latest-generation ‘iDrive 8.5’ infotainment software – running on a Linux operating system with 5G-enabled over-the-air (OTA) updates.
A choice of two i5 variants will be available from launch – the rear-wheel-drive, 250kW eDrive40 and the performance-focused, all-wheel-drive, 440kW i5 M60 xDrive.
All examples of the i5 will be powered by a 400-volt, 81kWh lithium-ion battery which BMW claims can achieve up to 516km of driving range in the i5 M60 and 582km for the eDrive40.
BMW will continue to offer petrol and diesel-powered variants of the 5 Series overseas, which will include a pair of petrol plug-in hybrids – though specific details for Australia such as engine capacities, power and torque outputs, plus fuel economy are yet to be announced.
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