New BMW i5 revealed as sleek £73,000 electric saloon
The new BMW i5 electric saloon has been unveiled as a sleek new electric saloon that is primed to take on the likes of the Mercedes EQE, Tesla Model S and inbound Audi A6 e-tron.
Two models shape the BMW i5 line-up: the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 and four-wheel-drive M60 xDrive.
The Munich-based brand plans to expand the 5 series electric range with a Touring version of the i5, which is due in early 2024.
The eight-generation 5 Series sits on the firm’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) Platform, which is designed to accommodate both internal combustion and electric powertrains.
It’s a big EV, too, with many of the i5’s components carried over from the BMW i7. Measuring 5060mm long,1900mm wide and 1515mm tall, the i5 is longer, but narrower, than the Mercedes EQE saloon.
In keeping with the BMW’s i design language, the new i5 wears a blanked-off plastic kidney grille first shown on the BMW iX. The front grille also sports the BMW i sub-brand logo.
The rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 features a rear-mounted electric motor, offering 349kW and 317lb ft of torque. BMW claims a 0-62mph time of 6.0sec, with the entry-level version topping out at 120mph.
Topping the range is the sportier M60 xDrive. It gets an additional front-mounted electric motor for a four-wheel-drive layout which develops 442kW and 605lb ft of torque. This makes it good for a 0-62mph time of just 3.8sec and a top speed of 143mph.
The BMW i5 eDrive40 features an 81.2kWh battery, with BMW claiming a range of between 296 and 362 miles.
The more powerful M60 variant gets the same battery but sacrifices range for performance, thus offering a claimed range of 283 to 321 miles.
Both models can be charged at up to 205kW, with the German brand claiming a 10-80% charge will take just 30 minutes. The i5 also gets an 11kW AC charging functionality which can be increased to 22kW.
Inside the new i5 takes inspiration from the BMW i7, featuring a single curved display. The screen houses the 14.9in infotainment touchscreen and 12.3in digital instrument display.
It also gets the same crystal-effect trim inserts and a rotary dial has been added to operate the touchscreen display.
The new i5 eDrive40 starts from £73,200, while the hot i5 M60 variant costs £98,840. Set to arrive in the UK later this year, the i5 will be offered with three trim levels: M Sport, M Sport Pro and for the I5 M60 only, M Performance.
