This Is Probably The New BMW i5

Being a BMW i-branded car has been a lonely affair in the last few years. We’ve had the i3 EV, the i8 hybrid, but that’s it.

However, the Bavarian pair will be getting some company very soon due to the arrival of the i5. And, thanks to a set of patent images which are very likely for the car - filed in Japan and since picked up by various car news outlets - we’re getting an early glimpse.

As you can see, it’s very much the lovechild of the i3 and i8. There are i3-style ‘suicide’ rear doors, while the rear borrows heavily from the i8, particularly with those ‘floating’ C-pillars. And yes, it looks like the whole ‘eating a Porsche 911’ thing in the rear bumper of the i8 has been carried over too.

Unlike the i8 though, this won’t be a hybrid, with the i5 expected to be a full electric vehicle. With BMW trademarking various potential i model names recently, it’ll most likely be joined by other EVs soon after launching too.

But is it attractive? We’re leaning towards ‘no’ - there are some interesting details, but the overall shape is a tall one and ungainly one. Given how stunning the i8 is, that seems like a damn shame.