BMW i5 SUV Images Leaked
Originally published on EV Obsession.
The next model in BMW’s i Series of electric vehicles, the i5, is likely to be an SUV, going by rumors coming out of Munich.
The possible SUV in question is set to be an fully electric, and to possess a range of over 200 miles per charge — going by the rumors in question, anyways. Auto Express recently posted some interesting pictures detailing how the model could end up looking that it allegedly received from a BMW board member. This is all speculation for the time being, though, and the i5 could end up looking quite a bit different.
In an interview with Auto Express, BMW board member Ian Robertson did comment obliquely on the subject, noting that: “Legislation means we’ll inevitably have more zero emissions cars and we’re exploring more i models, although no firm decisions have been made yet.”
So regardless of rumors, nothing firm seems to have been decided yet.
Auto Express provides more:
SUV sales continue to grow across the globe, especially in the crucial Chinese market, and BMW bosses have been analyzing Tesla’s success, including the demand for its new Model X SUV. BMW would put its own twist on things with the same sort of advanced tech seen in the i3 and i8, plus the latest in autonomous driving and connectivity features. So expect low-weight carbon fibre to feature heavily alongside all-electric power, with a range well in excess of 200 miles.
…The arrival of an i5 could be timed to coincide with new German incentives, suggesting sales of the car are well over a year away. The development of battery technology will also play a part in the car, both in terms of range and packaging.
Robertson continued: “The tech is developing fast – we’ll see steps made with lithium-ion batteries and then lithium air will make progress. But next we’ll see solid state batteries without the wet sticky stuff in them – that’s where real progress will be made in terms of density and packaging.”
Image Credit: Auto Express
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Bummer that their official comment on ‘why electric’ is ‘because we have to’ 🙁
That should be the reply for VW, not BMW. It should have been “because its better and its the future”.
Right? Even if VW says something positive, everyone knows it’s really because they have to…and not for some govt mandate…but to keep their brand alive.
That’s basically what every german automaker is thinking, even if they don’t tell it. They just make way too much money with ICEs.
In the end it doesn’t matter, as long as we switch to electric 🙂
Carbon Tax. There. Done. C’mon COP21!
If it’s an affordable, 200 mile SUV, that won’t impact its sales.
I don’t really care why they made it, just that it’s made… (And very thankful we have at least a few other car companies pushing beyond ‘future legislative requirements.’ Keeps the slow-pokes from claiming it’s ‘too hard.’ )
I don’t need everyone to be all for EVs but to come out against it, they’re working against their own brand. I also have a hard time supporting companies that are not pushing full force for EVs when other are…which is one of the big reasons I will support them with my next EV purchase and why I’m such a fan 🙂
Fair enough. I fully support voting with dollars… I plan to. But I think there’s enough going for EVS that the gene simply can’t be put back… companies that fight are wasting their effort, and jeopardizing their future.
I’m perfectly happy to watch companies that refuse adapt fall into obscurity. Their investors will lose their money, but that’s what happens with bad investments…
I’m with you on both – support the winners and let the losers die off. What makes me sad is just the fact that their money could have been spent to move things forward faster. Oh well. I guess we could say the same thing about war but we will have to wait for the global demand on oil to die off for most of that to settle down. Then maybe we can start talking about some of the human rights issues in Saudi Arabia.
I think we’re already getting to that point… With supply outpacing demand so much and prices falling, the importance of any one oil producing country is rapidly diminishing. (Particularly with world wide storage reserves approaching their limit)
Look for prices to fall further (potentially around $20-25/barrel) in 2016.
I just wish the govt/environmental protection groups/air quality groups had the foresight and power to enact a tax to keep the price high as we ride out what looks like it’s going to be the long tail of petrol…
Slap a aerodynamically fixed solar PV on the roof, got free miles.
Those wide wheels and the short, stubby, rear end don’t bode well for drag efficiency. Without a more tapered rear end, a 200 mile range will be harder and more expensive to obtain with more battery capacity.
Word has it that Tesla is putting extra effort into lowering drag to achieve 200 mile range in the new Model 3. That could make all the difference, because its much cheaper than batteries.
BMW should hire an aerodynamicist. Wide open wheel wells, unnecessary kidney grills, it’s like they want it to go slowly to not very far away.