BMW Confirms Next-Gen i5 Will Use Dedicated EV Platform, Ditching Shared ICE Architecture

BMW has confirmed that following the all-new i3, the next-generation all-electric i5 will also be built on a dedicated EV platform, moving away from the current CLAR architecture shared with the internal combustion engine 5 Series. This "platform separation" strategy aims to enhance range, energy efficiency, and interior space utilization. Joachim Post, BMW Board Member for Development, stated that a dedicated platform allows for better optimization of electric-specific systems, avoiding the packaging and efficiency constraints inherent in shared architectures. Although the current i5 will receive significant upgrades in 2027—including new battery and electric drive systems—its performance will still fall short of vehicles built on dedicated EV platforms due to limitations of the existing architecture. A truly comprehensive platform leap will only arrive with the next-generation i5.