After the 4 Series and 7 Series sedans, the BMW 5 Series, the brand’s emblematic family sedan, is in turn going 100% electric and combines many technological refinements. We were able to approach it during the 2023 Lyon auto show.
There BMW i5 unfolds. By becoming electrified, the eighth generation of this now very large sedan (5.06 meters, or 10 centimeters more than the previous generation, and as many centimeters less than the previous 7 Series…) obviously retains its habitability and barely loses trunk volume, with 490 liters instead of 520 in the thermal version.
Kitch and chic
Moreover, for its passengers, the BMW i5 pulls out all the stops, without even mentioning glassware signed Svarowski adorning this or that order. For example, in addition to streaming video (the BMW i5 is equipped with up to 4 5G antennas), the multimedia system — which ensures sound immersion through a surround system from Bowers & Wilkins — also includes a video game platform.
Baptized Air Console, the latter allows you to play when the vehicle is stationary, particularly during charging breaks. And at 205 kW on fast chargers, it will take only 30 minutes to take your battery (83.9 gross kWh, 81.9 useful kWh) from 0 to 80%. Not bad, considering that the architecture is only 400 volts. As for alternating current charging, they are provided by an on-board charger of 11 kW as standard and 22 kW as an option (1,250 euros).
In back, there is no shortage of leg roombut the wheelbase of almost 3 meters has nothing to do with it.
Ergonomics above all
Also optional, the user interface returns to the possibility of gesture controls. A system that we have always found to be incomplete, but for which we will have to assess the relevance of the progress made by version 8.5 of the OS which manages all. But the main thing remains the whole Curved Display which brings together under the same glass panel facing the driver the 12.3-inch instrumentation screen and the 14.9-inch user interface panel.
On the engine side, the i5 is offered in two configurations, eDrive 40 and M60 xDrive. The first, with two-wheel drive, offers up to 340 horsepower in Sport mode, while the second displays up to 601 with its two engines also providing xDrive all-wheel drive. In terms of autonomy, count up to 582 km in the i5 40 version and 516 with the i5 M60. Equipped with such cavalry, the M60 version goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds.
The i5 eDrive 40 is already available to order from 76,200 euros. It is necessary to count not less than 107,500 euros for the M60 versionthis before even adding the slightest option.
