The 8th generation of the iconic "pennywise" of BMW for the first time makes its appearance as an all-electric. BMW's large luxury sedan goes electric with cutting-edge technology and shows its teeth against stiff competition, winning the "World Luxury Car of the Year 2024" at the "World Car Awards". Based on the legacy of the 5 Series name, it reveals the elements that characterize the timeless Bavarian cars and prepares to put its stamp on the car, now also as a large electric limousine. With the above as a guarantee, the weekly symbiosis with the eDrive 40 version of the i5 offered us a special driving experience!
Reference point
The long history of the BMW Series 5 goes back to 1972, bringing the Bavarian sports philosophy to the large luxury E-Class segment. It featured four- and six-cylinder efficient petrol engines and a sophisticated design that emphasised aerodynamic performance.
Since then, seven more generations have passed until 2023 when the current 8th generation was introduced with the codes G60/G61/G68. Throughout these years the 5 Series built its own legend in the automotive industry, positioning the 5 Series as a benchmark in the large sports and luxury car segment. Now with the heavyweight name as a springboard, it is also making its entry as an all-electric with the i5 version.
Imposing
BMW's designers have managed to adapt a sleek silhouette to the exuberant dimensions of the new five-seater, creating an imposing large sedan!
At the front, the large "kidneys" of the grille signify the noble origins of the model, while the long and muscular flat bonnet reveals the imposing volume of the car. The new Matrix Led technology headlights give it a wild and aggressive look, emphasizing its sporty character!
The profile is a combination of classic and modern lines, forming a striking silhouette. Clean lines and sharp edges combined with muscular surfaces cleverly cover the exuberant dimensions, highlighting the sporty aesthetic. Especially when you consider the lowered body, the 21-inch wheels with Continental's low-profile EcoContact 6Q tyres with 255/35 R 21 front 235/30 R 21 rear, and the black sills, the big BMW becomes alluring!
The rear end adopts a new design approach, reminiscent of the first generation of the 1975 3 Series. Elements that will be seen in future BMW models. The trunk features a distinctive spoiler, while the image is defined by new horizontal and slimline headlamps with LED graphics. The set is completed by the massive bumper with a black aerodynamic diffuser at the bottom.
Overall, it exudes dynamism and looks serious and aggressive. At the same time it looks solid, safe and of high quality!
Sophisticated
Opening the door, we see a well thought-out cabin, both in terms of design, assembly, quality of materials and finish. At the same time, it is fully digitized, creating a futuristic feel with a classic background. Overall the cabin looks modern and impressive. The Bavarian company calls the interior "vegan", while stating that it reduces CO2 emissions from assembly by 85%!
Simple and simple lines compose the dashboard, in order to highlight the high quality and aesthetics. The top materials, and the finish with the illusion of wood at the bottom, give it a refined look, increasing the level of luxury. The top and bottom are separated by a horizontal led strip that incorporates the atmospheric ambient lighting, giving especially in the evening an enchanting hospitality!
All this helps to make the familiar BMW Curved Display stand out, featuring cutting-edge technology and digitising functions thanks to the latest iDrive software, which consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen for the multimedia system. Together, the two screens look like an extension of each other.
BMW has done away with physical switches by investing in interface technology. Even the air vents are opened and closed electronically by touching them. Ergonomically, the car is at a high level, given the ease of use of the functions combined with the fact that the driver never takes his eyes off the road!
Seats for both front and rear passengers provide top levels of comfort, lending the big BMW the nickname of limousine. At the same time, passenger body support is exemplary, culminating in the Sport mode, where the driver's seat hugs the driver's waist more tightly, keeping it in the right position!
The luggage compartment is extremely spacious with a volume of 490 litres. At the same time, the rear seats drop down, making it possible to carry larger items!
Advanced drive technology
The eDrive 40 version of the all-electric "five-door" is driven by an advanced electric motor without permanent magnets and without rare earths, delivering 340 hp at 8000 rpm and 430 Nm of torque at 0-5000 rpm, which transfers the drive to the rear axle. It is combined with an efficient lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 81.2 kWh, which can give a range of between 497-582 km!
Focusing on pleasure
It's time to move from theory to practice and enjoy the all-electric "pentara" in real conditions! Both its appearance and technical features positively predispose to an exciting driving experience!
In the city is unjustified by its exuberant dimensions. The driver will prefer to drive on main arteries, avoiding the narrow streets. However, thanks to the electric drive, it moves with zero fuel consumption. Finally, in its passage it catches the eye of passers-by!
In the mountain and rural network the exemplary weighing of the car is highlighted. On the road, it has excellent grip, filling the driver with confidence. At the same time, it turns flawlessly, with the driver having a sense of where the wheels are. The suspension is well balanced, dampening any bumps in the road, and the cornering gradients are imperceptible. The rear-wheel drive, especially in the sport program, allows tailgating games in total safety, getting the adrenaline pumping as a genuine BMW to the most restless!
On the motorway the sensation is simply unique with the robust CLAR chassis as a springboard, the rolling quality and sound insulation reach the level of a thrilling experience, even at very high speeds. The presence of Boost gives extra power for 8 seconds, particularly useful in overtaking. The car offers top comfort to the passengers, even on long journeys, while remaining pleasant for all 5 passengers! All this is helped by a low aerodynamic coefficient of just 0.23Cd, one of the lowest in the class!
General BMW has found the golden mean with the new all-electric 5 Series, maintaining the sporty style that distinguishes it with a stately ride quality and cutting-edge technology! Significantly, the car features the Integral Active Steering four-wheel steering system, reducing the turning circle to 11.7 m, increasing both agility and stability of the car. It has 6 driving modes, depending on the driver's moods, the basic Personal, the extreme Sport, which turns driving into an exciting experience, allowing games. Efficient that increases the range, while limiting the speed to 90 km/h and the three special programs Expressive with intense lighting and sound reminiscent of an airplane, relax with soft ambient lighting and electronic sound that means relaxed driving, especially at night and finally Digital Art, a digital artistic imprint by artist Cao Fei. Electricity consumption was around 22 kWh/100 km.
The electronic driver sounds are called BMW IconicSounds Electric, and were created by composer Hans Zimmer.
In terms of charging, BMW has equipped the i5 with fast charging technology that takes just 30 minutes on a 22 kWh fast charger from 10% to 80% with a maximum charging power of 205 kW, for a full charge it takes about an hour and a half, while on an 11 kWh charger it will take about 3 hours.
Clearly
The entire sporting spirit and legacy of BMW is expressed through a rear-wheel drive large luxury and all-electric berliner, capable of raising adrenaline levels, making its special character clear! Obviously the i5 is aimed at those seeking a quality luxury limousine, with a focus on comfort, which does not discount driving pleasure and at the same time is in line with the new environmental standards, for those in the above category of consumers, who have ecological sensitivities and the purchase of an electric car is a one-way street!
Bitter
Large all-electric sedan with a propeller badge? Everything bodes well for a high acquisition value. The BMW i5 eDrive starts on the price list from the hefty sum of 75.100€ in its basic version.
Technical characteristics
AMAXOMA |
|
Press |
Sedan |
Seats |
5 |
Doors |
4 |
ΚΑΤΑΝΑΛΩΣΗ – ΕΠΙΔΟΣΕΙΣ |
|
Fuel type |
electricity |
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h |
6 sec |
Maximum speed |
193 km/h, Electronically limited |
Weight/power ratio |
6.3 kg/Hp, 159.6 Hp/tonne |
Weight/torque ratio |
5 kg/Nm, 201.9 Nm/tonne |
ELECTRIC MOTOR |
|
Power |
340 Hp @ 8000 rpm. |
Torque |
430 Nm @ 0-5000 rpm |
Electric motor position |
Rear axle, transverse |
Type of electric motor |
Modern |
Total system power |
340 Hp @ 8000 rpm. |
System torque |
430 Nm @ 0-5000 rpm |
BATTERY |
|
Net (usable) battery capacity |
81.2 kWh |
Battery voltage |
400 V |
Battery technology |
Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) |
Battery position |
Under the floor |
Electric range (WLTP) |
497-582 km |
308.82 – 361.64 mi |
|
Average energy consumption (WLTP) |
15.9-18.9 κιλοβατώρα/100 χλμ |
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT |
|
Weight |
2130 κιλά |
Maximum payload |
610 κιλά |
Minimum volume of luggage space |
490 l |
Maximum load |
75 kg |
Permissible towing capacity with brakes (12%) |
1500 κιλά |
Maximum support load |
80 kg |
DIMENSIONS |
|
Length |
5060 mm |
Width |
1900 mm |
Height |
1515 mm |
Wheelbase |
2995 mm |
Front track |
1616-1622 mm |
Back trace |
1622-1658 mm |
Forward prop |
945 mm |
Back prop |
1120 mm |
Distance from the ground |
146 mm |
Drag coefficient (Cd) |
0.23 |
Minimum turning diameter (turning diameter) |
11.7 m |
ARCHITECTURE |
|
Movement |
Rear axle |
Number of gears and type of gearbox |
1 speed, automatic transmission |
Front suspension |
Double scissors |
Rear suspension |
Independent suspension of multiple links |
Front brakes |
Ventilated trays |
Rear brakes |
Ventilated trays |
Auxiliary systems |
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) |
Ειδικό σύστημα |
4 στρεφόμενοι τροχοί (πίσω στρεφόμενοι τροχοί) – Τετραδιευθύνση |
Type of address |
Management chukrania (with teeth) |
Steering system |
Electric Steering Wheel |
Wheels |
245/45 R19 102Y XL ή 255/35 R 21 μπροστά 235/30 R 21 πίσω |
photo gallery
