The BMW i5 is another addition to the Bavarian marque's electric vehicle (EV) lineup, one that offers a tasty blend of features, luxury, sustainability and, of course, performance.
Its impressive range, fast-charging capabilities, and commitment to eco-conscious design make it an attractive option for those looking to make a transition to electric mobility while enjoying the quality and sophistication that BMW is known for.
Here are five key things you should know about the spanking new all-electric BMW i5 sedan.
1. It's an all-electric version of the ever-popular BMW 5 Series
As its name suggests, the BMW i5 is a full-electric luxury executive sedan that's powered by a 81.2kWh lithium-ion battery, and sends 335bhp and 430Nm of twisting force to the rear wheels from the word go.Â
These figures ensure that the car will cross the 100km/h mark from nought in just six seconds flat, which is about half a second a faster than, say, a capable hot hatch like the Volkswagen Golf GTI. What's also fast will be its charging capabilities. It'll go from 10 to 80% in just 30 minutes with a DC fast charger (at a maximum of 205kW) while the usual eight hours from 0 to 100% can be expected with an AC charger at 11kW.
2. Reasonable range
And it's also because of this said 81.2kWh battery pack that allows the car to have a reasonable and usable range of between 497km to 582km, depending on which drive modes you choose and how often you rush for your appointments.Â
During my time with the car, I managed to attain just about 400km on an-almost full charged car, which is still highly acceptable in Singapore's context. Sure, it's not as good as what you'd expect on a car like the i5, but this can be improved by selecting the Max Range function, which will improve the range by up to 25% if required by limiting power and speed and deactivating comfort functions.
3. Fun and games
Speaking of this Max Range feature, the BMW i5 comes with a myriad of features that will entertain even the most demanding kids. In partnership with AirConsole, the BMW i5 comes with a gaming platform in the car that allows up to seven passengers to play so-called casual games while the vehicle is stationary as a way of passing time while waiting for the vehicle to charge, for example.
While this may not be for everyone, all on board can also access other entertaining apps such as YouTube, something that can keep you busy while waiting for the car to be fully charged. Finally, something to keep us occupied with while waiting...
4. Keeping sustainability real
The BMW 5 Series Sedan range, which includes the BMW i5 that you see here on this revamped page, is the carmaker's first model to feature a fully vegan interior as standard. This includes the surfaces of the seats, the dashboard and the door panels, as well as the steering wheel for the first time.
The seat surfaces in the Veganza version with leather-like properties are also optionally available with a decorative perforation. So when we enter the BMW i5 in the future for the first time, you and I will have to understand that the Bavarian marque is taking sustainability very seriously.Â
5. Two is better than four
On that note of seriousness, I've had the privilege of driving both the rear-wheel driven BMW i5 iDrive40 as well as the all-wheel driven BMW i5 M60 xDrive in Lisbon, Portugal. In all honesty, I like the BMW i5 iDrive40 more. Yes, it's slower, with less power and torque. It's also less dramatic, with regular looks that will not mistaken as a BMW M car.Â
But, to me, it's a lot more driveable as a daily user. It's light on its feet, tail happy and less showy, which is something I consider to be a priority in a car. Plus, if you know me by now, I've always believed that fast doesn't equate to fun, which is also why the iDrive40 is my weapon of choice. The car is already in Singapore and prices start from $417,888.
