Incoming 2024 BMW i5 spied and rendered

Following spy shots earlier in November, we asked rendering guru Theottle to imagine what a production version of the incoming i5 sedan could look like.

As in the spy photos, the front end of BMW’s electric 5 Series strikes a very similar silhouette to the new-gen combustion car that is expected to launch next year, or in 2024.

Differentiating the Mercedes-Benz EQE rival from its combustion counterpart, BMW has blanked off the grille, minimised the front air dam and added a flush door handle design, first seen on the 2 Series coupe – likely in the name of aero efficiency.

19

As the i5 will be sold alongside the next-gen combustion 5 Series, the render’s headlights are sharper and more eye-catching while – like the test mule – the two-tone alloy wheels are probably just placeholders before more aerodynamic versions appear on the production model.

Around the rear is where the new i5 departs most significantly in design language from the current G30 generation 5 Series. The boot deck is set higher, and the kamm tail crisper in its execution.

19

Being the flagship sporty M60 it has a lip spoiler, while it’s likely to be AWD featuring up to – or above – 455kW of power and 1100Nm of torque (like the iX M60). There are also new LED tail lights and diffuser with the expected faux exhaust tips.

This is, of course, just an imagination of the future i5 with the real thing slated to launch next year.

Let us know what you think of the renders in the comments section below.

19

The story to here

November 7: The upcoming 2024 BMW i5 electric sedan has been spied ahead of its expected debut in 2023.

A battery-powered sibling to the next-generation 5 Series, two examples of the i5 were spotted at the Nürburging in Germany by spy photographers.

It's understood both vehicles are the range-topping, high-performance M60 variant, featuring a blanked-out, grille-mounted M badge and a lip spoiler.

While details on the powertrain are unclear, the larger iX M60 electric SUV has a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup producing 455kW and 1100Nm.

The BMW iX M60 lists a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds.

19

As with its larger i7 sibling, the i5 will be joined by the eighth-generation 5 Series, which is expected to offer plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid petrol/diesel powertrains.

Inside, the i5 and 5 Series will adopt BMW's latest design language, with a dual-screen setup running the brand's latest iDrive 8 operating system.

Other changes include flush door handles shared with the smaller i4 and 4 Series Gran Coupe, while the minimalist gear shifter from the updated 3 Series and X7 is expected to carry across.

19

While the regular 5 Series will receive an electric option, the M5 performance flagship will retain its iconic V8 engine.

However, it will feature a plug-in hybrid system paired with the BMW's latest 4.0-litre 'S68' twin-turbo V8, as found in the new XM performance SUV.

For reference, the standard XM produces 480kW and 800Nm – up 13kW/50Nm over the M5 CS – while the flagship Red Label outputs 550kW/1000Nm.

BMW will also launch a 3 Series-sized electric vehicle based on its dedicated 'Neue Klasse' platform in 2025, but it's expected the i5 and 5 Series will be underpinned by an updated version of the marque's CLAR architecture, as found beneath its current rear-drive models.

19

The electric i5 will compete against the Mercedes-Benz EQE and the forthcoming Audi A6 E-Tron Sportback.

As with BMW, rival brand Mercedes-Benz is readying an all-new E-Class – also tipped to launch in 2023 – to sit alongside the EQE. The latter's performance flagship, the EQE 53, produces 505kW and 1000Nm, with a claimed 3.5-second 0-100km/h sprint time.

The 2024 BMW i5 and 2024 BMW 5 Series are expected to be unveiled next year, replacing the current model which launched in 2016 and was facelifted in 2020.