#LAAutoShow: If THIS Is The Upcoming BMW i5, Is It Going To Get SMASHED By Anything That TESLA Is Working On?

OK. I want you to imagine something.

Picture the BMW i3. OK. Now, stretch it out a bit. Give it the cliché "floating roof" treatment. Think of squinty headlights. Imagine a more old-school BMW kidney grille that's vertically inclined rather than horizontal. Lastly, construct a more modern take on the current-generation i3's interior.

Los Angeles Auto Show

Voila! You're presented with the BMW Vision iNext Concept.

BMW isn't too keen on wasting time with concept vehicles. Over the years I've seen the marque incorporate something from every single one of its show cars into production vehicles. Some, it heavily influences the production variant. Others, you see bits and pieces.

While I can't say with certainty what BMW plans to do with this Vision iNext concept, I can surmise one thing. If it were in production spec today, I feel pretty confident that it would slot in above the i3 with its larger cabin and footprint.

Pure speculation here but this could be the next-gen i5.

One thing I am left wondering after learning it will supposedly get 400+ miles on a charge: Is THIS enough to combat whatever Tesla has up its sleeve next?

Say what you will but Tesla is running the EV game right now and no automaker is even close.

Los Angeles Auto Show

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 12/1/2018 7:24:47 PM

+10 Boost

It could be the next i5 or just another way out there design for the auto show circuit.

Agent00R - 12/1/2018 7:31:05 PM

-3 Boost

I hear you but BMW puts these things to work, typically speaking. Very few concepts BMW has rolled out at shows do not get put into production.

MDarringer - 12/2/2018 10:06:01 AM

0 Boost

Let's hope this ugly thing gets watered down to dullness like every other BMW concept.

Truthy - 12/1/2018 7:32:23 PM

+12 Boost

The title of this article declares the author's prejudice. Just another Muskateer.

Agent00R - 12/2/2018 8:01:53 AM

-4 Boost

I actually despise Elon Musk; however, you cannot deny that Tesla's EVs are dominating the game right now.

Everything shown from the traditional automakers is not even close.

Musk is definitely watching these debuts and concepts with a lot of popcorn and laughing...

Agent00R - 12/2/2018 8:09:54 AM

-1 Boost

Angry inch, are you a ham radio operator?

MDarringer - 12/1/2018 9:37:35 PM

+2 Boost

If that's the best BMW can do, then Tesla wins.

jtz7 - 12/1/2018 10:04:51 PM

-6 Boost

No one going to bring up the Kia Signature grille huh? If it the Kia signature grille came out later after this then it would be accused of copying allowing this to get away with it. And dont qant to go with how many SUVs have floating roofs again.

jtz7 - 12/1/2018 10:05:15 PM

-4 Boost

By the way that is ugly.

jtz7 - 12/1/2018 10:06:39 PM

-8 Boost

The front end copied the Kia Pop Concept.

jtz7 - 12/1/2018 10:07:42 PM

-8 Boost

I see BMW also copied the Telluride's B pillars putting the Kia Tiger design there too huh?

rockreid - 12/1/2018 10:30:16 PM

-7 Boost

The German Economic Minister himself recently voiced the concern amongst many in the German Government that Tesla was far far ahead of anything the Germans were offering. From the most recent reveals from BMW, Benz, and Audi, I see his concern is completely warranted.

Agent00R - 12/2/2018 8:10:48 AM

-9 Boost

The Germans are well behind.

In other words, screwed.

mre30 - 12/1/2018 10:43:05 PM

+1 Boost

Is this a 'design joke' ?

skytop - 12/2/2018 2:12:30 AM

+3 Boost

Is that front grille velcro'd onto the car's nose?

TomM - 12/2/2018 7:00:13 AM

+11 Boost

This clearly is a design study - out of which maybe some of the exterior touches will be used on a production car - but so many of the things on this car will never reach production (THe legs on the Front seats will never meet crash standards) that we should not believe it will come anything close to what is being presented.

However - if you take the Grille - most of the rear end - and put an interior in this car similar to the newest BMW X series - add some mirrors (In the USA they are still required even if YOU have a video system) - maybe a way to open the doors - this will simply BURRY the Tesla Model X. ANd it comes from a REAL pedigreed Long Term Upper Tier Luxury producer - not a mass market lower class startup with limited experience

Truthy - 12/2/2018 8:46:45 AM

+12 Boost

Agent00R, it does not matter if other automakers are behind for two reasons; 1 -Tesla has no unique technology. It can be imitated easily. 2- there is still no profit in it. They are stepping in cautiously and slowly intentionally.
And now with oil prices falling and a looming recession, no rush needed.

PUGPROUD - 12/2/2018 9:53:08 AM

+7 Boost

Sure it will be somewhat toned down for production but I give BMW high marks for breaking the trend of overly conservative design in its mainstream cars by daring to be different in its EV lineup. Hoping it sells well and brings more creative design to BMW's full range of cars and SUVs.

skytop - 12/2/2018 11:26:23 AM

+1 Boost

I like the parquet wood floor in this Vision BMW.

MDarringer - 12/2/2018 12:20:10 PM

+1 Boost

What's with the stupid ocean wave nonsense?

atc98092 - 12/2/2018 11:29:16 AM

+3 Boost

I know it's a concept, and they usually go wild with these things, but that is just so ugly...

TomM - 12/2/2018 2:58:16 PM

+5 Boost

Lets have a bet - On How many days will Pass before Agent 00R will post another reference to TESLA.

I'll bet he cannot go a week!

MDarringer - 12/2/2018 3:27:57 PM

+3 Boost

TomM it should be hours not days. :)

carloslassiter - 12/2/2018 3:09:26 PM

+1 Boost

I'm a BMW fan, and this is just objectively hideous in every way.

valhallakey - 12/3/2018 1:52:54 AM

+2 Boost

I understand the sentiments of some who want BMW to break out of their mold like they tried in the early mid 2000s. Unfortunately the mold they ended up with was a Dame Edna 5 series. Break out of the mold but don't break out the ugly sticks either.

Dr550 - 12/3/2018 2:26:54 AM

+2 Boost

BMW please stop. Design for 2019, not 2049.

1lostVW - 12/3/2018 9:32:13 AM

+2 Boost

How can a global "luxury" brand design something so utterly bad? the exterior is a mix of all things ugly that BMW has used on previous designs. The interior is a design schools first year flunky kids take on the future... BMW is working overtime to be relegated to the ass heap of history, they have no idea how to design vehicles that people want or desire. Current product line is re-warmed old style BMW and the future is simply ugly, in every respect... move on, BMW is working on dying, not leading.

clsboy - 12/4/2018 8:44:49 PM

+1 Boost

An Inglewood California pimp wants his BMW back!!...