Video Summary
The new BMW 5 series, including electric versions, is built on the same platform.This review features the i5 M60 with M Sport Package Pro.
Exterior colors include Mineral White and Frozen Pure Grey; deep Frozen Grey is also available. Matte paints help clean in the rain, but scratches are difficult to polish.
The matte paint option costs an extra €3,750 and is bio-based for sustainability.
Fire Red with carbon fiber mirror caps and rear spoiler is also available.
Colors are available for all powertrains.
There are differences between the i5 M50 and M Sport Package Pro versions: the M Sport Package Pro features a black frame around the kidney and M logo; the M Sport Pack lacks the outer black frame.
The BMW is larger than previous models at 5.06 meters long (199 inches).
Wheel options range from 18 to 21 inches.
The length was increased by 10 centimeters.
For technology: base suspension, M Sport suspension or an adaptive suspension are the offered choices.
Adaptive Suspension Professional comes with adaptive dampers and rear axle steering (up to 2.5 degrees), reducing the turning circle.
For M60, adaptive M suspension professional adds anti-tilt control for stability.
The EV uses a battery of 81 kilowatt-hours net.
Recharge is accomplished in less than 30 minutes from 10% to 80% at a fast charger.
It has both smartphone app and physical key access.
The app offers remote parking; but is always the driver’s responsibility
Interior features include soft touch materials and optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system.
The M-sport steering wheel feels different. It is more futuristic, vegan leather, but the traditional style looks better.
The base EV offers a .23 drag coefficient.
The test M60 is rated at .25 drag.
Lacks a front trunk (frunk).
There are pure petrol, pure diesel, plugin-hybrid-petrol and all-electric models.
They all share the same platform. The plug-in hybrid and EV versions have air suspension at the rear axle.
Highway Assistant System: hands-off driving allowed, with the car automatically changing lanes when you look at a side mirror
Consumption is 19 kW/100 km, which translates to approximately 270 miles of real world range for the EV
To address the new EU law requiring speed warnings, the test car has a "mute" hotkey on the steering wheel to shut off the alarm.
Driving Impressions: The car's rear axle steering makes turning circle small and steering feel engaging. Acceleration also works well
The rear-wheel drive i5 40 offers 3.6 miles per kW and has more agility than the all-wheel drive model.
A main conclusion is that the i5 40 electric powertrain combines value and efficiency.
