BMW along with its M division are preparing the world for their latest electric vehicle, and to remind it that it can still produce an exciting sports sedan, it has handed it over to the Red Bull Driftbrothers.
In a new video, we can see and hear the new vehicle, which BMW M officially refers to as a “secret prototype,” but which we all know is an M Performance version of the new i5, as evidenced by the license plate numbers that match at least one car seen in yesterday’s release. Given the keys to the car and a closed course, the Driftbrothers slip, slide, and drift the new EV around BMW’s winter test center.
Although little of the mid-size sedan is revealed in the video (it sports the same camouflaging as the car BMW recently showed the world) we can at least hear the bassy artificial sounds that will stand-in for an exhaust note. Impactful and futuristic, it works surprisingly well in this context.
BMW said earlier this week that i5 has now completed 1,850 miles (3,000 km) of testing in Arjeplog, Sweden, to ensure that the batteries, electronics, heating, and cooling systems all work as intended. It, apparently, also wanted to see if the motors worked correctly.
More: See The New Electric i5 Sedan Tackle Brutal Winter Tests
While it’s unclear specifically which models are being presented here, BMW has previously confirmed that the i5 will get an M Performance version, and since the video ends with an M and an I badge, it seems likely that’s what was being shown off here.
If we were to guess, the new car will follow the same pattern set by the i4, whose M Performance version was dubbed the i4 M50. It was the best-selling M model on earth in 2022, so that is a winning strategy for the German brand. However, it’s worth noting that there have been more recent rumors about the new car being called the i5 M60, following in the footsteps of the iX M60.
Power figures for the new performance vehicle, as well as the standard i5 for that matter, have yet to be revealed. Howeverm, MW has also confirmed that the i5 will be offered as a wagon, though, which ought to please enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, we still have a while to wait before BMW reveals everything there is to know about the new EV. The German automaker is expected to reveal the new i5 alongside the 5-Series, in October.