BMW is set to release the BMW i5 electric car in 2021. Recently, the German automaker released photos highlighting the car's new design, as well as a handful of details providing insights about what to expect on the upcoming electric car.

The images were first reported by Auto Express. From what it looks, the BMW i5 will take a handful of design cues from the Vision Next 100 Concept which was unveiled in 2016. BMW said that one the i5 hits the streets, it will go head-to-head with the upcoming Tesla Model 3. Additionally, the automaker confirmed that the i5 will sit in between the 3 Series and 5 Series when it comes to size.

BMW has discussed on several occasions that the upcoming electric car will be called iNext. Although there are some speculations that the car will still carry the i5 badge in order to flaunt the car's technical innovations, just like what BMW did with the i3 and i8.

In an exclusive interview, BMW board member for sales and marketing Ian Robertson told Auto Express, "Having recently had the final design review, you can assume that it's a bigger car rather than a smaller car one, and you can assume that the packaging for the next generation of batteries has to be accommodated in such a way that gives the car a certain proportion."

It is widely expected that BMW will launch the i5 electric car with level three autonomous technology option according to BMW Blog. This means that the car's software can take full control of all the functions and the driver should be able to intervene when needed. Moreover, the BMW i5 will also be capable of support for level four and level five autonomous technologies. At these levels, drivers and car occupants will have hardly any input in maneuvering or in driving the car.

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