We learn from a report published by WhatCar that BMW is reportedly looking into the possibility of making a mid-range i5 model to sit in between the i3 electric city car and the larger and much sportier i8 plug-in hybrid.
Apparently, coming from “a senior BMW source,” the tip is a fully-credible one, though even if it does turn out to be accurate, don’t expect to see an i5 on sale any time soon – they haven’t even decided if it’s to be a crossover or sedan.
The idea was sparked by the surprising success of the Tesla Model S, as well as the numbering gap in their “i” range, witch jumps from 3 to 8… Joking aside, this model is thoroughly plausible, though not as a full EV, and not necessarily in sedan form.
The source speculates that this i5 may take the form of an X4-esque model, fashioned extensively out of CFRP (carbon-reinforced plastic) and maintain a rear-wheel drive approach, staying in-line with the rest of the range.
We can’t speculate; it may be years before we follow this up, but don’t be surprised if BMW eventually announces and starts teasing something along the lines of what was described here, but from an enthusiast’s perspective, I hope it’s a sedan, for obvious handling- and sportiness-enhancing properties of the lower and lighter body.
Still, turning the idea into a Tesla Model X rival isn’t a bad idea either, especially since the American model, when it does arrive in showrooms, will have no immediate mainstream threat…
By Andrei Nedelea
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