BMW‘s i5 electric SUV isn’t pencilled in to launch until 2021, according to a new report from Autocar.
In early October, alleged patented images of the brand’s third ‘i’ model leaked online, suggesting that the vehicle’s design was complete and edging ever closer to production. In reality, it’s still five years away.
During an interview with the British website, Ian Robertson, BMW’s head of sales and marketing said that the model won’t launch until 2021 to allow it to make full use of an improved electric powertrain and the most advanced autonomous technologies.
“We are at the very early stages of i, but already we’re coming up to our 100,000th registration. Just as with M, there are opportunities that take time to build up, from i cars to i Performance products to i kit, such as an electric scooter.
“We conceived the i brand to work for the long term. The electric car market is emerging but we see enough to be confident that consumers are understanding what it is about. What’s more, 80% of i customers are new to BMW,” Roberston confirmed.
It is suggested that BMW settled on an SUV bodystyle for the i5 given the booming SUV market and the higher profit margins such vehicles enjoy over hatchbacks and sedans.
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