BMW i5 rendered

BMW has been showcasing its prowess with the electric vehicle since the introduction of the i3 hatchback and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. Expected to join BMW’s i family is an all-new five-door i5. It will happily sit in between the i3 and i8 and present itself as a comfortable family car.

The official patent design of the new i5 was surfaced in October last year, and here we have a rendering of the same. The car in the picture gets the suicide doors, hinged at the rear just like in the i3, with a missing B-pillar and centrally placed door-handles. The floating roof and distinctive designs are carried forward, just like the kidney grille and the headlamps, from the previous two i cars. It is longer than the i3 and the rear take cues from the i8 but with a taller height and a squared off tail, which is intended for the aerodynamics as seen in other hybrid vehicles. The bonnet and the front bumper incorporates air vents with the aerodynamically raked windscreen and roofline while retaining iconic styling hallmarks like the BMW kidney grille. The car appears plumper and spacious translating to a better practicality.

BMW recently trademarked the badges from i1 to i9 for its electric car line-up. This electrification push will bring in more cars under the brand. The new i5 may even be complete electric vehicle rather than a range-extended hybrid. It will pack a larger battery pack for increased range. The car could also come with BMW’s latest technology in autonomous driving. When launched, it will directly rival, yet to be launched, Tesla Model 3.

There are no official details from the manufacturer regarding the car, or when will it be revealed. No powertrain details are available either and nothing further could be said about the upcoming i vehicle until official words are out. But actions at the BMW will be at a quicker pace now that there’s a shrinkage in sales of the i3 and i8 and with the announcement of arch-rival Mercedes Benz’s new EQ sub-brand.