The new BMW i5 will offer the highest level of autonomous driving and 500 km of range

The new BMW i5 will be unveiled in 2021. It will be the direct rival of the Tesla Model 3 in the compact saloon market.

The new i5 is inspired by the Next Vision 100 concept that the German manufacturer presented at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The new member of BMW’s “i” range will be 100% electric, despite speculation that it would use a hydrogen fuel cell.

The design of the new i5 will feature a front grille and proportions that maintain the essence of the brand. The size of the prototype sits between the 3 and 5 Series of BMW. This model is expected to have a interior design focused on comfort and occupant space.

The new i5 is set to compete directly with the Tesla Model 3 thanks to its battery and the autonomous technology it incorporates. The battery will be much more compact than the i3’s, which allows for a much more spacious interior. But where the new model will truly stand out is its level 5 autonomous driving technology, the highest offered to date, which in practice allows the car to drive itself. That said, Tesla has promised the Model 3 will cost €33,000, while the new i5 will not cost less than €47,000.

The model due to be presented in 2021 is expected to feature level 3 autonomous driving technology when it arrives; meaning the car has full control of driving and the driver can intervene when necessary. In the future, beyond 2021, the future i5 will incorporate levels 4 and 5 of autonomous driving, where occupants will be able to release the controls of the vehicle carefree.

BMW, together with Volkswagen and Daimler, bought the technology company Here to develop a digital mapping system for autonomous technology. It is also partnered with companies such as tech giant Intel and Mobileye, a leader in artificial intelligence development. Ian Robertson, head of sales and marketing at the BMW Group, has acknowledged that this technology is not yet ready, and needs to be much safer before its application is viable.

BMW will put 40 autonomous Series 7 limousines on the road during the second half of this year as a trial. This technology requires continuous development and the manufacturer will have to correct several errors before it is installed in the new i5.

The new BMW electric vehicle is estimated to have a range of more than 500 km, while the Tesla Model 3 will offer 350 km. On the other hand, there will also be a substantial difference in the price of both vehicles: the American model will cost almost €20,000 less. With this in mind, the new i5 will need to greatly improve its value for money ahead of its launch if it wants a chance against the most reserved model in automotive history.

Technical specifications of this car

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