Post, BMW Group’s board member responsible for research and development, recently stated in an interview with AutoExpress that the next-generation BMW i5 will be built on a dedicated all-electric platform, completely separating it from the gasoline-powered 5 Series for the first time.
The current i5 shares the BMW CLAR platform with the 5 Series, significantly reducing R&D and manufacturing costs.
However, sharing a body structure with gasoline models inevitably limits the performance ceiling of an all-electric vehicle.
This means that layout design, floor height, wheelbase limitations, and weight distribution must accommodate multiple powertrain options, making it impossible to optimize specifically for an all-electric model.
Post also stated, “BMW is a global company and must scale its technology across all models to achieve economies of scale. BMW will not develop entirely new technologies for a single model.” The intention is obvious: the new-generation platform used in the all-new i3 will be gradually applied to more models, and the i5 naturally becomes the next target.
Those familiar with BMW’s product planning know that the all-new 3 Series will adopt a platform-splitting strategy: the gasoline and plug-in hybrid 3 Series will use the CLAR platform, while the all-electric i3 will use the new-generation platform (NCAR).
The current 5 Series will receive a mid-cycle refresh in 2027.
It is understood that the next-generation i5’s internal codename is NC0.
Combined with BMW’s current product cycle, the new car is expected to be launched around 2030.
Built on a dedicated all-electric platform, the next-generation i5’s performance and energy efficiency will be significantly improved. The new car will be equipped with a larger, flatter battery pack, with an estimated range of 800-900km (WLTP).
