BMW introduces electric cars to the 5 Series. The German company announced this week that the eighth generation of sedans that will enter between the third and seventh series will come as an electric version, the i5, as well as a renewable gas equivalent.
Like it did with the 4 Series and 7 Series, BMW is taking its gas-powered models and launching electric variants that are built on the same platform.
The electric 5 Series comes in two trim levels: the i5 eDrive40, with rear-wheel drive, makes 335 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. and i5 M60 xDrive Sport, with all-wheel drive, 601 hp, and 605 lb-ft of torque.
The eDrive40 version will jump from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds, while the M60 will close the gap in just 3.8 seconds. Both versions electronically speed up to 120 mph.
An 81.2 kWh battery pack will propel the i5 up to 516 km (320 miles) of range based on the less conservative WLTP benchmark. And for charging, BMW is partnering with Volkswagen subsidiary Electrify America to offer two years of unlimited fast charging of up to 30 minutes. The i5 can accept up to 205kW of fast charging, which can take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.
Like it did with the 4 Series and 7 Series, BMW is taking its gas-powered models and launching electric variants that are built on the same platform
The electric 5 Series will be one of the first cars to feature BMW’s new hands-free motorway driving features. The car can also suggest lane changes, which the driver can confirm by simply looking in the outside mirror.
BMW has redesigned its infotainment system in the 5 Series to include in-car gaming for the first time. A number of games can be accessed while the car is parked, which will help pass the time while charging, for example. Video streaming will also be available to parked cars.
The brand’s kidney grille is a little more low-key compared to the bland i7 and iX but it’s still unabashedly in your face. The grille has become a somewhat polarizing design choice, especially in an age of electric vehicles where airflow is less of a concern, but BMW isn’t holding back on this distinctive design.
In general, the i5 is more conservative in its design and technology than the more luxurious i7. I mean, how do you fit a 31-inch, 8K drop-down movie screen for the rear passengers?
But with a starting price of $67,795, the i5 is definitely still a premium car. It will not qualify for the Inflation Relief Act tax credits, which set eligible prices at $55,000. Nor will it be the M5’s more powerful (and more expensive) version of the i5, which starts at $85,095.
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