It was in 2021. Mercedes presented its EQE sedan as a world premiere, a 100% electric road which was supposed to offer an alternative to the thermal E-Class. The competitor BMW received a counter offer later (at Audi we are still waiting for the A6 e-tron). The BMW i5 was introduced just three weeks ago ! This electric derivative of the new 5 series must be allowed by the manufacturer to expand its range of electric sedans, which already consists of the i4 and i7. Thanks to two engines (340 and 601 hp) and two batteries, the new i5 can claim a range of 582 kilometers depending on the selected version. This is significantly less than the Mercedes EQE, which has a claimed mileage of up to 660 kilometers. But BMW should be most afraid of not German competitors, but Chinese ones!

NIO, the Chinese underdog

In particular NIO constructor. Arriving in Norway in 2021, it is an underdog among Chinese automakers. This is the only one who can really claim the title of the award. It offers models with more advanced design and technology than average. And this is exactly what it consists of the main competitor of German brands. Currently there are 3 of them models in the European assortment. The EL7 SUV (BMW iX competitor) and the ET5 (BMW i5) and ET7 (BMW i7) sedans. But ET5 will be supported by a wagon version next year. Comb your hair for a BMW i5 Touring look, for sure. It’s rare enough to point this out because electric station wagons are not widely represented on the marketespecially in this rather high segment…

After the sedan, the station wagon ET5

Will the i5 Touring have to worry about that? As for the aesthetic aspect, it will be tastes and colors in any case. Curves and slender features of the Chinese. The rigidity of the lines and the geometry of the silhouette are German. Under the hood, the ET5 is only offered with a 480 horsepower engine. Therefore, the i5 range leaves more choice on this point. In terms of autonomy, the edge of electric cars, the Chinese does not leave any chance to its competitor.

The 100 kW ET5 battery provides a range of 700 kilometers. That 150 kW, which will arrive for the second time, claims this up to 1000 kilometers autonomy! Thus, the career of the i5 Touring should be largely blocked by this rival from the Celestial Empire. No mention of priceswhich, as usual with Chinese brands, should be extremely competitive (around €50,000)…

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