What Comes After The 2014 BMWi3, i8? How About The i5 MPV?

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

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Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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BMW i8 Concept

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If you’ve ever wondered why BMW’s upcoming 2014 all-electric i3 mini car and 2014 BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car are numbered the way they are, it’s because BMW plans to fill in the gaps with other plug-in models in future years. 

We all know that the BMW i3 and i8 are due in less than twelve months, but after that, no-one knows for sure what BMW plans to launch next. 

Except German auto magazine Autobild, which claims BMW’s next plug-in car will be a range-extended MPV known as the 2015 BMW i5.

According to Autobild, the rear-wheel drive i5 would be powered primarily by a 170 horsepower (126 kW) electric motor, with a small three-cylinder, 90 horsepower engine providing range-extended capabilities. 

Designed to be an up-market luxury MPV, the 2015 BMW i5 would combine the practicality of a range-extended plug-in hybrid with the premium feel of a BMW. 

BMW i3 and i8 preview, New York City, November 2011, photo by Tom Moloughney

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As Motorauthority explains, Autobild’s claims contradict everything we’d previous heard about the BMW i5. Specifically, that it would be a premium four-door coupe similar in size to the current generation BMW 5-Series.

If true, the rumor would also prove that BMW’s 5-Series Plug-in Hybrid Prototype -- which debuted at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show and is destined exclusively for the Chinese market   -- won’t share any design similarities with the 2015 BMW i5.

Other unconfirmed rumors indicate that BMW is working on other i-range vehicles, with a view to launch both a lightweight sports car, and an all-electric city scooter in coming years.

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