First electric 5 Series: All-new BMW i5 unveiled, up to 601 PS, 582-km max range

The all-new BMW 5 Series executive sedan was unveiled on May 24, 2023, along with the model’s first-ever battery-electric version, the i5.

Riding on a completely new platform, the i5 will take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQE, the Audi A6 e-tron and the Tesla Model S electric vehicles (EV).

It slots under the i7 sedan, which is the EV version of the BMW 7 Series. All i5 variants get an 81.2-kWh battery pack with a claimed maximum range of 477 to 582 km. 

Its Combined Charging Unit enables AC charging with an output of up to 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option. Meanwhile, DC fast charging is rated at up to 205 kW.

In Europe, the all-new 5 Series and i5 will be launched on October 2023. 

Conservative styling

Since 1972, the 5 Series has been a stalwart of the BMW range, offering handsome looks and sporty driving dynamics in a large executive sedan.

This G60 generation sticks to tradition by using smaller and more pointed LED front headlights. These flank large “kidney grills” that, thankfully, don’t extend into the lower bumper like with the latest 7 Series.

The side profile is largely similar to the old model, with changes like flush door handles and a pair of character lines making the new i5 look taller.

Out back, changes are more substantial, with new LED taillights and a high decklid resulting from a near-fastback roofline.

The G60 5 Series has grown in size compared to its predecessor, with an increased length of 97 mm, reaching 5,060 mm. It is also 32 mm wider at 1,900 mm and taller by 36 mm measuring at 1,515 mm.

In terms of trunk space, the i5 sedan provides a slightly smaller trunk capacity of 490 liters.

More tech, ‘vegan’ interior

Inside, the i5 gets the new 5 Series cabin that features more toys than before, while retaining its classic look.

A curved display spans the top of the dashboard, incorporating a 12.3-inch screen in front of the driver and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The latter runs on BMW Operating System 8.5 and features a redesigned home screen with vertically arranged function icons on the driver's side.

The optional "Interaction Bar" located below the display is a backlit functional unit with a crystalline surface structure. This spans across the entire width of the instrument panel and extends into the door panel.

The bar combines touch-sensitive controls with animated lights that deliver messages, such as indicating an incoming phone call or signaling when it's safe to open the door.

BMW said the all-new 2023 BMW 5 Series and i5 is the brand's first model to feature a fully vegan interior as standard. This means no animals were harmed or used in the making of this luxury sedan’s cabin.

Park with your smartphone

Advanced driving assistance features available on the 5 Series and i5 include the Active Lane Change Assistant, which suggests overtaking opportunities on multi-lane highways, confirmed by the driver checking the exterior mirror.

This feature will first launch in Germany, the U.S. and Canada. Other semi-autonomous capabilities include Parking Assistant Plus, which stores steering movements for reverse parking up to 50 meters. 

Additionally, parking maneuvers can be controlled using the My BMW app for iPhone, a la James Bond with his E38 7 Series in the 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies (without the baddies and the rocket launchers).

0 to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds

The biggest news with the i5 is the inclusion of a high-performance variant called the M60 xDrive.

This model gets front and rear electric motors, making it all-wheel drive. The M60 xDrive produces 601 PS and 820 Nm of torque, which help it do 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and reach an electronically top speed of 320 km/h.

For comparison, the previous-generation M5 Competition produced 626 PS and 750 Nm of torque from its twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter, twin-cam, 32-valve V8 gasoline engine.

Also equipped with all-wheel drive, the M5 did 0 to 100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, along with pumping out substantially more emissions.

Distinguishing the i5 M60 xDrive from other variants is the addition of a gloss-black, almost flat front grill, along with gloss-black side skirts and rear diffuser. 

There’s also the i5 eDrive40, which is rear-wheel drive and pumps out a healthy 340 PS and 430 Nm. This is good for 0 to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 193 km/h.

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