Road tested by Hugh Maguire.
The BMW 5 Series is one of the most important cars for BMW. It has become recognised as the benchmark performance saloon in the premium saloon car segment. In a world where SUV’s have become the most popular type of transport the original saloon hangs on but in much more limited numbers. Most mainstream manufacturers have ditched them. No more Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Honda Accord and so on you get the idea. But BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus soldier on with their saloons.
So to the new 5 Series available in petrol, plug-in hybrid and now EV. This week I am behind the wheel of the i5 M60, their all wheel drive, high performance electric version of the iconic 5 Series.
First Impressions.
Some of BMW’s styling of late has come in for some negative comment but the new i5 manages to get the formula just right. From the front there is a very BMW ‘face” with the traditional BMW kidney grille now with its circumference illuminated. So it all looks pretty cool. The side profile is good though I feel it looks a bit slab sided despite contrasting lower sills to disguise the depth of the panels. The beautiful 20 inch two tone alloys look fantastic. From the rear it looks purposeful and sporty. So all in all a very handsome machine.
What is it like inside?
The cabin of the new i5 is certainly impressive! The now familiar huge BMW curved screen instrument and centre console display is now in the new 5 Series. Truthfully I am not a fan. BMW used to make truly beautiful dashboards, this display is overly fussy and has way too much content and the illuminated dashboard ambient light strip makes a very annoying reflection in the door mirrors which is not helpful at night.
The driving position is excellent and the fit and feel of everything really is of the highest standard this cabin is one of the best in class and really does feel premium. It is a very nice place in which to travel.
BMW’s latest version of iDrive uses the 8.5 operating system and it functions very well indeed. The level of standard kit on this top of the range version is as you might expect truly comprehensive, highlights of which include a lovely Bowers and Wilkins stereo system a panoramic roof, electric and heated seats, heated steering wheel, wireless Apple Car Play, Android Auto, wireless charging, and much more. Suffice to say its very well equipped.
The cabin is roomy but strangely for an EV there is a big transmission tunnel in the rear which makes it a four seater rather than five. This is because this i5 is actually built on the combustion engined car platform which has a drivetrain from the engine to the rear wheels. Nevertheless as this car is slightly longer than its predecessor there is a more legroom than before.
The boot at 490 litres is good and easily accessed via the electrically operated boot lid.
Performance
The i5 M60 is very quick indeed. With 517 bhp and some 795Nm of torque and that can be boosted via the “Boost” paddle which gives 10 seconds of max power hitting 601bhp its a mighty fast car. All this despite its massive almost 2.4 tonne weight. Drive is to all four wheels via dual motors powered by an 81.2 kWh battery. BMW claims a range of 455 to 515 km but I could never come close to that even under normal driving. Expect closer to 310 km from 85% charge. Road tax is €120.00.
Road behaviour
Grip is tenacious whether on wet or dry roads and this i5 will launch you from a standstill with no wheel spin whatsoever. It handles and rides really well, soaking up all road imperfections with ease. Find a twisty section of road and it proves enjoyable to hustle along though you do feel that huge mass in spirited cornering. Overall I would say a very pleasant car to drive but not as involving as BMW’s “ultimate driving machine’ slogan used to suggest.
Hugh’s Verdict.
The i5 is very expensive and this is its greatest vice really. Prices start at €91,105 while my test car with some options hit a whopping €135,000. I really liked it but the problem with EV’s is they all drive pretty much the same and this is becoming a challenge for manufacturers to differentiate one car from another in its driving characteristics. For those who love a “drivers car” EV’s don’t really cut it. However the new i5 is just about the very best EV there is and so retains the title of benchmark in this segment!