BMW i5

BMW i5
Image by BMW Press Club

BMW i5 is the electric 5 Series we’ve been waiting for

Launched in tandem with the new 5 Series, the electric BMW i5 is the biggest leap in BMW’s executive portfolio in five decades

BMW i5

BMW i5
Image by BMW Press Club

Introducing the BMW i5, the all-electric 5 Series you’ve just seen and read about. As you can tell by the muted, button-down colour of the ICE 5 Series, versus this resplendent red electric i5, BMW is clearly shifting its focus over to its electric offering for maximum wow factor. And why wouldn’t it?

Like the Bavarian firm did with its 7 Series and i7, it’s launched both 5 Series ICE and electric vehicles in tandem, representing a huge moment for a vehicle that has sold 10 million units in all its forms over the years.

THE BMW i5: SLEEK AND SILENT

Crazy to think that we’re more excited by the electric i5 than the regular ICE equivalent, but when you consider the shift to electrification and the fact that only the 520i has been confirmed for now, can you blame us?

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Styling wise, the BMW i5 sticks closely to the 5 Series – including that very Jaguar XF-looking rear end – so it’s an evolutionary design rather than a radical one. In fact, it shares the exact same footprint, meaning it’s grown 93 mm longer, 35 mm wider and 24 mm taller, with a 20 mm longer wheelbase.

The i5 benefits from the same aero trickery, including Air Performance wheels, active kidney-grille control and a smooth underbody, to deliver a coefficient of 0.23 Cd to eek out every kWh of energy.

BMW i5. Image by: BMW Press Club

HOW DOES THE INTERIOR DIFFER?

The BMW i5 uses a lot of tech from the larger i7, including the BMW Curved Display, which debuted on the i4, with 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch screens running back-to-back behind a common glass surface. As for the rest, read the 5 Series report to know what’s included on this electric executive saloon.

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Oh, this will go down a treat with the woke crowd, too. BMW has introduced ‘Veganza’ – a vegan, leather-like upholstery that’s standard with real leather only optional. There you have it.

WHAT MAKES THE i5 GO?

Two i5 versions are confirmed using the same 400-volt architecture. There is the i5 eDrive40, which is rear-drive model with a single 250 kW electric motor and claimed cruising range of 580 km. Zero to 100 km/h comes up in six seconds and a top speed is limited to 195 km/h.

For those after more oomph, the i5 M60 xDrive upgrades to four-wheel drive with twin e-motors and its 490 kW drops the zero to 100 km/h launch time to just 3.8 seconds and the top speed is raised to 230 km/h. The M60’s range is therefore slightly lower than the single motor version, with a claimed cruising figure of 515 km.

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Model-specific lithium-ion battery packs have 82.3 kWh capacity, which can be charged at up to 205 kW (where possible). There is a limp-home mode which boosts range by 15-25 per cent when loadshedding kicks in and you’re caught short.

I BET IT’S A HEAVY OLD HECTOR

You’d be completely correct, the eDrive40 model clocks in at 2 130 kg, but BMW claims the battery weight enhances the dynamic experience because the front axle carrier is mounted to the battery with shear plates, and the rear axle carrier with a strut system to make sure it always stays engaging for the driver.

The e-motors are also controlled with the same integrated slip control logic software to juggle grip, slip and power so that it drives as neatly as it looks.

We wait to see when the BMW i5 will make landfall in South Africa, but as with the i7 and 7 Series before it, we don’t expect it to be too long of a wait. We will bring you pricing and specification closer to the launch.

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