A decade after the launch of the i3 model, its first production electric vehicle, BMW finally introduces its electric version of the 5 series, the second most popular worldwide.
There are actually two versions. The new BMW i5 eDrive40 will provide a comparable number of 361 miles (580 km), while the sporty version, the 600 horsepower (hp) BMW i5 M60 xDrive, is said to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, although the range has been reduced to 320 miles ( 515 km).
Electric vehicles were finally discovered in the last year, so in 2023 it will be all about bold shapes and special applications for this technology.
How about the new BMW i5, the electric version of the 5 Series?
Cosmetically, BMW doesn’t change too much of the popular design, but as with the recent top-end i7, this eighth-generation vehicle grows in length, width and height. Unlike the i7, the BMW i5 won’t have folding TVs. Backstage Netflix fans don’t like it.
This is what the 2023 BMW i5 electric car looks like.
The BMW i5 eDrive40 features rear-wheel drive, with an electric motor placed directly on the rear axle, generating 340 hp and 400 newton/meter torque (Nm). Zero to 100 km/h is significantly less than in the M version, but six seconds is more than enough for most. Top speed is limited to 120 mph (193 km/h). BMW achieves a combined consumption of between 19.5 and 15.9 kilowatt hours (kW h) per 100 km.
If 190 km/h isn’t enough for you, the all-wheel drive BMW i5 M60 xDrive features motors on both the front and rear axles. The rear engine produces 340 hp and the front 261 hp. The torque produced by both is 795 Nm, but it is reduced to 820 when the control is activated. Top speed is thankfully 143 mph (230 km/h). Consumption is from 20.6 to 18.2 kW h per 100 km.
The throttle performs this function in both cars almost redundantly, by means of the gear stick placed near the left of the steering wheel. If the lever is pulled for more than 0.8 seconds, full throttle is engaged. The driving sound changes at the same time as those who have fake noise inside the cabin.
The best vehicles and car technology from CES 2023
In addition to the ideas of transforming colors and Tron-inspired bikes, this year’s show was about how cars and technology companies will collaborate more closely in the future.
UK more than US for BMW i5
Now a few things about prices. Normally, such boring topics are saved for the end of articles, but you might want to consider the following: The BMW i5 eDrive40 will start at $66,800 in the US, but the UK price will start at $73,000. You read that right. After the currency conversion, British customers will have to pay more than 20,000 pounds for the same vehicle than American customers will pay £20,000 (about $25,000).
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is enhanced. It will sell for £96,840 in the UK, while it will cost $84,100 in the US, meaning Brits will pay almost £29,000 (around $36,000) more than Americans for the same model. I asked BMW why there was such a huge price difference between countries; He only told me that “the price varies according to the market”. But even taking taxes and Brexit into account, the gross inequality appears to be high. Bad luck for UK buyers. What will be the ultimate price for Latin American drivers?
The use and saving of electric energy BMW i5
A 2023 BMW i5 on battery.
This difficulty having been overcome, the report of the battle. The BMW i5 uses the same system as the BMW iX and i7. Also built according to the same architecture as the 7 Series, the Flat 81.2 kWh battery is installed in the lower part of the body to save space and can be charged with a direct current of up to 205 kW. This means charging the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes if the right charger is found. In fact, BMW claims that the range can be increased up to 97 miles (156 km) with a 10-minute drive to the station at a speed of 600 degrees Celsius with a grade of less than 10%.
