New BMW i5 leads the executive EV charge
THE new BMW i5 is the first ever all-electric 5 Series saloon, and it joins the petrol and plug-in hybrid versions in the new 5 Series model line-up. Featuring a sportier design, blended with intuitive technology and thrilling electrified performance, i5 delivers the outstanding driving dynamics you would expect from a 5 Series. Two models are offered in the new i5: a 340PS eDrive40 version (M Sport or M Sport Pro trim) which drives the rear wheels via a single electric motor, and a more powerful M60 xDrive version that adds a second electric motor on the front axle for a combined 590bhp, along with the added benefit of all-wheel drivability.
The long, elegant and sporty silhouette of the i5 stretches to over 5 metres, making it the longest ever 5 Series saloon, and it certainly commands attention from the first glance. The front view is characterised by striking LED Headlights with Shadowline lighting technology, along with a modern take on BMW’s trademark kidney grille that features ingenious ‘BMW Iconic Glow’ contour lighting on M Sport Pro and M60 models. At the rear of the i5 saloon, the slender LED tail lights and prominent diffusers highlight the athletic stance of the car, while air-channelling bumper elements provide even more dynamic appeal.
The 84.3kWh battery pack in the i5 is positioned beneath the floor, and it can hold enough charge to power the eDrive40 and M60 xDrive models for up to 575km and 508km respectively between charges. With a max charging capacity of 205kW, the i5 can be achieve a 10-80% charge at a DC fast-charging station in around 30 minutes. Additionally, the 400V battery can fully recharge from 0-100% via an 11kW wallbox charger in around 8.5 hours. Official WLTP energy consumption is quoted at 18.7-16.1kWh, so a real-world driving range of 500km-plus from a fully-charged battery is a realistic prospect indeed.
The luxuriously-appointed cabin in the i5 is a true feast for the senses, with extremely-generous interior proportions providing all occupants with a comfortable ride quality and ample head and leg room. The dashboard is dominated by a large, curved panel that incorporates a 12.3-inch digital information display as well as a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with crystal clear graphics and intuitive touch operation.
The new BMW Operating System 8.5 presents the BMW iDrive experience, including video on demand via YouTube, and gaming through the AirConsole app when stationary. Standard infotainment and connectivity features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, an on-board WiFi hotspot, a wireless charging tray that can charge 2 smartphones, and a premium Bowers & Wilkins audio system.
Also standard is a backlit BMW Interaction Bar with crystalline design that spans the full width of the dashboard and into the front door panels, housing controls such as seat functions and air-conditioning, and it provides dynamic interior ambient lighting too. Selectable ‘BMW My Modes’ provide drivers with the option of Personal, Sport/Sport Plus, Efficient, Expressive and Relax driving modes to suit their individual driving style – each of which provide their own distinctive colour theme on the BMW Interaction Bar.
BMW’s first vegan upholstery encompasses not only the seats, but also the dashboard and door panels, and the quilted upholstery ensures that all occupants enjoy luxurious comfort at all times, while front sports seats with seat heating are included as standard. Driver assistance systems include; Driving Assistant (camera and radar-based driver assistance systems) and Parking Assistant, which features Reversing Assistant, Active Park Distance Control and Reversing Assist Camera.
My BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport review car looked amazing in its distinctive Brooklyn Grey metallic paintwork. The single electric motor provides the car with 340PS and 400Nm of torque, and this results in a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 6.0-seconds. The i5 is zippy and agile in urban settings and it takes motorway driving in its stride. A ‘Boost’ lever behind the steering wheel provides a 10-second burst of acceleration, if and when needed, and it can prove very useful when overtaking slower moving traffic on a motorway.
The smooth and powerful brakes are equally impressive, and a selectable one-pedal drive mode makes it easy to lift off the accelerator, slow down and stop without having to use the brake pedal. Thanks to the i5’s impressive direct steering ratio, less steering effort is required from the driver, and the car remains balanced and stable when negotiating corners and sharp bends. The serene cabin is impressively isolated from bumps and road imperfections, with wind and road noise also very well suppressed.
With its striking exterior design, luxuriously-refined cabin, cutting-edge tech and outstanding driving dynamics, the fully-electric new BMW i5 is one of the best EVs on the road today. Its desirability is enhanced even more by an excellent real-world driving range, lots of standard equipment and advanced driver assistance systems.
Pricing starts at €91,105 for the i5 eDrive40 M Sport, and an exciting driving experience comes as standard.