A recent report by Car and Driver has stirred up the BMW community with rumors of the first-ever BMW i5M electric sports sedan. The report suggested that an i5M model would arrive in 2026 with a four-motor setup and 1136 horsepower, code-named “Katharina.” However, BMW has denied these claims, stating that they have no plans to bring an i5M to the next generation G60 5 Series due out this year. Instead, they will continue the engineering philosophy of the i4 and i7 families, with at least one M Performance electric model, the i5 M60, potentially arriving in the future.
According to BMW sources, the first M-engineered fully electric car will not arrive until the Neue Klasse family of cars is on the road. This means that the first-ever BMW i5M will likely not arrive until then. The G60 BMW 5 Series, set to be unveiled this Spring, will use the flexible CLAR architecture, with a focus on combustion engines. However, the integration of electrified drives is expected to become more prevalent, and by 2025 the focus will shift towards electric drivetrains.
If you are looking for an M-lite electric sedan, the BMW i5 M60 could be your only choice for a while. Rumors suggest that the 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive will send nearly 600 horsepower to all four wheels, with a torque level similar to, if not better than, the iX M60 at 811 pound-feet of torque. The i5 will weigh significantly less than the massive iX crossover, providing a lower center of gravity, similar to the already high-selling i4 M50, and delivering excellent driving dynamics.
Although the i5M may not be arriving anytime soon, an electrified BMW M5 will be part of the G60 5 Series generation, featuring an “S68” 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with a hybrid electric motor. The range of the hybrid electric motor is expected to be around 30 miles, but the power output should be sufficient at 715 horsepower.
While the rumors of the BMW i5M are exciting, BMW has yet to confirm any plans of bringing an i5M to the next generation G60 5 Series. However, the shift towards electric drivetrains means that we can expect to see more electrified models from BMW, including the potential arrival of the i5 M60 in the future, along with the electrified M5. Only time will tell what the future holds for BMW and its electrification strategy.
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