Images of the new BMW i5 accidentally appeared earlier. Colleague Remco Slump wrote at the time that BMW’s PR executives probably enjoyed it because it meant twice as much publicity.
And that’s right, because we’re taking a comprehensive look at the new BMW once again.
BMW has presented its new 5 Series, including the BMW i5, an all-electric version for the first time.
Gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid or all-electric? BMW gives its buyers freedom in the drivetrain. We’ve seen it first in the 4 Series, then the 7 Series, and now it’s time for the new 5 Series. With the launch of the new 5 Series Sedan (later referred to as the Touring!), the brand is now also introducing the i5. The first all-electric 5 Series.
Do not be deceived by the appearance of the model. The new design language with improved aerodynamics makes the car appear smaller. Nothing is less true. The new BMW 5 Series is 97 mm longer than the previous series. The new Fünfer has a total length of 5,060 meters. At 1.90 meters it is 32 mm wider. To top it all off, the new 5 is also 36mm higher and 1.51m high. The wheelbase has increased by 20 mm and is now 2.99 meters.
You do not easily confuse the new with the car. In any case, you survived a big grill party. In this context, the 5 Series, one of BMW’s few modern models, has kept its tradition. If you want a fair, you can still do it. You can optionally get ‘Iconic Glow’ kidney grille lighting on the new 5 Series. Nice word for executioner.
In terms of packages, the selection is not too bad. You can optionally choose the M Sport package or the M Sport package Pro. Thus, you will not experience any selection stress in that area.
Interior new BMW 5 Series
The modernization of the BMW 5 Series has been extended to the interior. Whether this is always an improvement is of course another matter. The fact that we already know from other modern BMW models can now be found in the new 5. A display called the BMW Curved Display forms an important element of the interior. It consists of a 12.3 inch Information Display and a 14.9 inch Touch Control Display.
While the interior still has a number of physical buttons (thankfully!), digitization has had an effect here as well. The traditionally set function buttons (1 to 8) have disappeared. I hear the sigh of the traditional BMW driver. It’s a shame, but there’s nothing we can do.
There are a number of striking things in the interior. The flattened steering wheel (á la Audi) offers tactile feedback and the gear lever is also new. The interior also includes lighting throughout the instrument cluster and in the doors. The latter is standard on the new BMW 5 Series.
If you like to sit on dead animals, this news is not very heartwarming. Every 5 Series is equipped with a fully vegan interior as standard. Both the steering wheel and the seats are made of durable materials. You won’t find genuine leather as standard. You can always save money for BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery.
BMW i5
As you can read in the introduction, there is quite a bit to choose from with the new BMW 5 Series. Let’s start with the all-electric model, the i5. This starts with the i5 eDrive40. Then you have a 340 hp electric car with 430 Nm of torque. This temporary slip-on rushes to 100 in six seconds. The top speed is 193 km/h. This EV is rear-wheel drive only. Of course, as befits a real BMW.
The top model is the i5 M60 xDrive. With 601 hp, 820 Nm of torque and all-wheel drive, this is a fast limousine. In 3.8 seconds you are in the percent. For this fast acceleration, you must have retuned Sport Boost or M Launch Control. Top speed is limited to 230 km/h.
The i5 has a battery pack with a net capacity of 81.2 kWh. In the case of the i5 eDrive40, the BMW transmits a WLTP range of 477-582 kilometers. The M60 xDrive travels between 455 and 516 km on a fully charged battery.
AC charging is available at 11 kW, optionally at 22 kW. The latter is standard on the M60 xDrive. You can charge it with a maximum of 205 kW in the fast charger. The battery thus charges from 10 percent to 80 percent in 30 minutes. A first on the i5 is Plug and Charge functionality. Thanks to this feature, the vehicle can charge at public charging stations without a charging card. The car itself adjusts the payment by recording the charging session.
Other engines and performance
Then the ‘ordinary’ BMW 5 Series. The Dutch product range currently consists of the 520i (208 hp), 520d (197 hp) and 520d xDrive. Indeed, there is no six-cylinder petrol engine (yet).
Two more plug-in hybrid models will follow later. Diesel drivers who want at least six cylinders will have to wait a year. A six-row diesel engine will follow in 2024. In the same year, a new all-wheel drive variant of the i5 will also be launched.
Prices + business rental prices
Prices for the new BMW 5 Series and i5 are listed below. The i5 eDrive40 Sedan is available through the Mobility Service starting at 999 euros per month or 1,399 euros per month for the i5 M60. This is based on 60 months and 10,000 kilometers per year.
Mannequin: Price:
520i Saloon 65,081 €
520d Sedan €74.002
520d xDrive Sedan €79,340
i5 eDrive40 Sedan 77.572 €
i5 M60xDrive €108,427