DiscoverCars.Com

Next-gen BMW 5 Series, i5 powertrain options detailed

-
BMW i5 winter testing

BMW recently released the first official teaser of the upcoming all-electric i5, and now it has followed up with images of the sedan undergoing "the ultimate endurance test". The hardcore testing programme was conducted on ice, snow and rough roads in northern Sweden.

  1. BMW i5 expected to have over 550km range in top-spec trim
  2. Will be available in both rear- and four-wheel drive versions
  3. Regular 5 Series to come with hybrid petrol, diesel and PHEV powertrains

The highly anticipated EV version of the next-generation BMW 5 Series rivals the Mercedes-Benz EQE. A debut date still hasn't been confirmed for the i5 sedan – nor its ICE counterpart or the i5 Touring estate, which was also recently confirmed. But with this test programme dispatched and a 2023 launch confirmed, it's expected to be only a matter of months before the wraps come off.

BMW i5: exterior design

In terms of design, the new, eighth-generation 5 Series brings a sharper front-end design and a more rakish roofline than the current model. As for the i5, it will be marked out from the 5 Series in the usual BMW EV style, featuring a blanked-off front grille, bespoke wheel designs and a bespoke rear-end design.

BMW i5: platform and powertrain

The i5 will sit atop an evolved version of the modular Cluster Architecture (CLAR) used by all current BMW models except for the BMW 1 Series, X1, and 2 Series Gran Coupé. Compatible with ICE, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and EV powertrains, as well as rear- and four-wheel-drive layouts, the CLAR underpins BMW’s strategy of portfolio diversification in the run-up to going all-electric.

The EV is highly likely to mirror the line-up of the new BMW i4, which means potentially a choice of rear- and four-wheel drive, with outputs ranging from 340hp in an entry-level i5 eDrive40 to 544hp in a twin-motor M50 xDrive model. The i4’s 80.7kWh battery pack is also likely to feature, providing a WLTP range of around 563km at the top end.

BMW 5 Series: ICE engines

The regular 5 Series is expected to adopt hybridised versions of the current 5 Series' turbo-only four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, as well as an expanded choice of plug-in hybrid powertrains centred on a 2.0-litre or 3.0-litre petrol engine.

Less certain is the survival of the 4.4-litre, V8-powered BMW M550i xDrive to occupy the gap between the 540i and top-rung BMW M5. This twin-turbo petrol engine dates back to the original X6, launched in 2008. This will make it 15 years old when the new 5 Series arrives, so it won't be a strong candidate for expensive modifications needed to make it comply with the latest emissions regulations.

One possibility for the M550i’s successor is an uprated version of the 545e PHEV’s four-wheel-drive powertrain, which comprises a 3.0-litre straight six engine and a 108hp gearbox-mounted electric motor for a combined 393hp and 572Nm. BMW has previously said CLAR-based PHEVs could accommodate electric motors with up to 204hp, which hints at the potential for a circa-500hp hybrid to sit beneath the M5.

Top-rung M5 to go hybrid

The M5 will also be adopting a plug-in hybrid powertrain for its next generation. The M5 PHEV will use a variation of the electrified set-up tipped to appear in the new BMW XM Label Red, which mates the M division’s ‘S63’ twin-turbo V8 with a 203hp electric motor for a combined output of up to 750hp.

In the M5, that would almost certainly prove a significant enough boost (around 136hp) to offset the weight penalty of a hybrid powertrain. It would also provide BMW with a contender to rival the new PHEV variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, which packs more than 800hp, hits 100kph from rest in less than 3.0 seconds and has a top speed of above 320kph.

i5’s role in electric transition

The i5 forms a major part of BMW's transition to a maker of electric cars. In the firm’s 2023 sales report, it said it hoped that EVs make up for 15 percent of its sales in 2023. With a choice of ICE, hybrid and EV powertrains with the new 5 Series, BMW aims to sell seven million plug-in hybrid and pure-electric vehicles by the end of 2030.

The 5 Series will be one of the last all-new BMWs launched before the company begins the "third phase" of its electric transition in 2025. This new era, termed Neue Klasse, will usher in new-generation EV powertrains with greater focus on supply-chain sustainability and also introduce an all-new software platform.

Also See:

SCOOP! BMW 5 Series long wheelbase to arrive in India in 2024



from Autocar India https://ift.tt/uCUwfhn

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

550hp BMW M3 CS is the most powerful M3 yet

-
Image
BMW has taken the wraps off its most powerful M3 ever, the F80 M3 CS, which is even more powerful than the BMW M3 competition. The BMW M3 CS will be sold in sedan bodystyle only and in limited numbers worldwide.  BMW M3 sedan gets 550hp twin-turbo petrol Does 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds Gets BMW’s xDrive AWD tech with selectable RWD BMW M3 CS: design and interior  The M3 CS is set apart from the M3 Competition visually by a raft of design tweaks, such as an angrier-looking, open front grille designed to match the front end of BMW’s GT4-spec M4 racer. Gaping air intakes round off the new-look nose. These are joined by a host of items that enhance aerodynamics, such as a wide front splitter and a lipped rear spoiler. It gets special V-spoke gold wheels – 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear – shod with track-focused tyres. The M compound brakes come with red calipers, while carbon-ceramic brakes are also available. The interior broadly matches that of the M3 Competition, w
Read more

Electric Volvo S90 replacement specifications leaked

-
Image
Details have emerged of Volvo 's new flagship electric saloon – a model internally codenamed as the V551, but expected to take the ES90 name when it goes on sale in 2025. The model will be produced at a factory owned and operated by Volvo’s parent company Geely in China, as revealed in a photograph and specifications leaked by the company’s board, beginning in May 2024. All-electric ES90 sedan to share underpinnings with EX90 SUV Will come with 111kWh battery pack with up to 600km range Will rival the likes of Mercedes EQE sedan and BMW i5 A photograph published to Volvo's employee intranet shows members of Volvo’s production team in Zhejiang huddled around signs that read “Volvo Cars V551 First VP Car Celebration” and “Confidential Top Secret". The reference to VP stands for 'Verification Prototype'. The car, however, is completely obscured from view, ahead of an expected unveiling in the coming months.   Volvo electric sedan specifications leaked The lux
Read more

TVS’ scooter market share increases in the April-January period

-
Image
After seeing a sustained slowdown for over two years, India's scooter market is finally recovering. As per the wholesale numbers, released by Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), a total of 43,61,347 units were dispatched in the April 2022 to January 2023 period. This is an increase of 9,79,594 units or a 29 percent year-on-year increase - April 2021-January 2022 was 33,81,753 units. Petrol scooter OEMs market share: details The top five OEMs account for 41,35,615 units or 95 percent of the total but dissect this further and the top three players – Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), TVS Motor Company and Suzuki – cumulatively have 36,69,244 units or 84 percent of the industry numbers. While these three have each recorded over 20 percent growth, the fastest growth (at 50 percent) comes from TVS, which is reflected in its 24 percent market share, up from 20.42 percent a year ago. Scooter market leader HMSI with 20,43,993 units has recorded 24 percent grow
Read more