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BMW i5 Unveiled

The i5 sedan, which joins the global lineup of all-electric BMW models including the iX1, i4, and i7, has been launched by BMW. Another product that will come out of it is the much-awaited BMW i5 Touring, one of the first executive all-electric estate cars.

BMW i5

BMW expects that the electric drivetrain, which will be available in two power levels, will increase brand awareness and sales of its best-selling model. The electric i5 will initially be offered in two configurations: the four-wheel-drive M60 xDrive and the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40. The electric motor in the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 produces 340 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, giving it a stated 0-100 kph time of 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 193 kph.

The same rear-mounted electric motor is combined with a smaller front-mounted motor that produces an additional 259 horsepower and 365 Nm in the four-wheel-drive M60 xDrive. It produces a total of 601 horsepower and 820 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a stated 0-100 kph time of 3.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 230 kph.

An 81.2kWh lithium-ion battery is a standard component of both i5 variants. While the more potent M60 xDrive claims to have a range of 455-516km on the WLTP cycle, the eDrive40 gives a stated range of 497-582km (WLTP).

Each i5 has a standard 11kW AC charging capability that can be extended to 22kW with an add-on onboard charger. BMW claims a 10-80% charge in 30 minutes and puts the maximum DC charging capacity at 205kW. A third i5 model will debut in 2024 along with the eDrive40 and M60 xDrive, according to BMW.

BMW i5

For the first generation of the 5 Series, the 520i with a combustion engine had a kerb weight of 1,680 kg, while the i5 M60 xDrive has a weight of 2,305 kg. BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform serves as the foundation for the new 5 Series. All BMW vehicles, whether they have an electric motor or a longitudinally mounted combustion engine, are supported by the same structural design.

The 5 Series has expanded in size, mirroring the most recent 7 Series, with which it shares many essential components. Its dimensions have changed from 5,060mm to 5,060mm in length, 32mm to 1,900mm in width, and 36mm to 1,515mm in height. Additionally, the wheelbase increased by 20mm to 2,995mm.

The new model uses BMW’s new design direction, which was originally evident on the iX, and has a significantly more contemporary appearance than the type it replaces. BMW’s iconic kidney grille, which on the all-electric i5 features a blanked-off design in high-gloss black plastic, continues to dominate the front. Like the new i7, it also has LED grille surrounds.

The new i5 also receives thin headlights with two LED daytime running lights stacked vertically in each unit. Traditional door handles, as on all contemporary BMW cars, have been replaced by flush-fitting components. They help the i5 eDrive40 achieve a drag coefficient of 0.23 when combined with other wind-cheating features, such as a flat underbody.

The i5 uses the narrow LED taillamps and design language of the new 7 Series at the back. It’s interesting to note that each taillight has a chrome spacer between the two LED components.

The BMW i5 has a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that runs the most recent BMW iDrive 8.5 operating system, which is based on Linux software and offers gaming and video functionalities for the first time, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. It is controlled using a physical controller that is mounted on the central console and has a similar appearance to the i7. In actuality, the entire centre console was inspired by the i7.

The new i7’s ambient lighting components are also included in the BMW i5. The wide ambient light bar, which runs from the dashboard to the door cards, may be set up to display various colours when combined. While the previous generation 5 Series only had a standard-size sunroof, the i5 and the new 5 Series both feature a panoramic sunroof. The boost button on the new i5’s steering wheel is another direct carryover from the i7.

In comparison to the Mercedes-Benz EQE, Tesla Model S, and future Audi A6 e-tron, the BMW i5 electric sedan will be competitive abroad. Since the aforementioned models are unavailable in India, it won’t have a direct competitor when it launches there in 2024.