BMW is hard at work developing the latest-generation 5-Series and its all-electric i5 sibling and has been spotted testing prototypes on and near the Nurburgring.
The BMW 5-Series has always been an important model for the German car manufacturer and this new generation will be particularly crucial as it will spawn the first all-electric variant of the sedan.
Read: New i5 And i5 M60 Are Big Electric BMWs For The New Age
Like other prototypes spied this year, these ones are covered head-to-toe in camouflage to hide the new design. Try as it might to completely hide the designs of the two, however, BMW hasn’t been able to shield everything from view.
The front fascia of both the combustion-powered 5-Series and the electric i5 will be quite different than the current sedan. The most obvious change will be the newly-designed headlights, which are drastically different in shape from those of the existing model. BMW has also revised the shape of the front kidney grilles. Other design details visible include the flush door handles and the new LED taillights.
One of the i5 models pictured is thought to be the flagship M60. This model is expected to be the most powerful and quickest version of the 5-Series on offer this side of the new M5. It is tipped to receive the same powertrain as the iX M60 SUV, meaning it will have a pair of electric motors that combine to pump out 610 hp. In the iX M60, these motors propel the big SUV to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.6 seconds but the slightly lighter i5 M60 could be a touch quicker off the line.
As for the new BMW M5, it will probably share its powertrain with the XM. That would mean BMW’s updated 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 would be bolted in under the hood alongside an electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery pack. It should be good for 644 hp and 590 lb-ft (799 Nm) of torque.
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