BMW i5 Electric to start from £71,000
The all-electric saloon is the firm’s latest entry into its growing battery-powered range
BMW has announced pricing and specifications for the BMW i5, its latest electric vehicle aimed at rivals like the Mercedes-Benz EQE, and Tesla Model S.
The i5 joins BMW's growing lineup of EVs, which includes the iX1, i4, and i7. The starting price for the BMW i5 in the UK is £71,105, with deliveries said to be starting very soon.
The BMW i5 range begins with the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40, powered by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 335bhp and 317lb ft of torque. It achieves 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 120mph. The i5 lineup's pinnacle is the four-wheel-drive BMW i5 M60 xDrive, starting at £97,745, which combines a rear-mounted electric motor with a smaller front-mounted motor, resulting in a combined system output of 593bhp and 605lb ft.
It accelerates from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 143mph.
Both i5 models are equipped with an 81.2kWh lithium-ion battery as standard. The eDrive40 offers a range of 296 to 362 miles, while the more powerful M60 xDrive delivers 283 to 321 miles of range. Standard 11kW AC charging can be increased to 22kW with an optional on-board charger. The maximum DC charging capability is 205kW, enabling a 10-80% charge in just 30 minutes.
The regular BMW 5 Series, priced from £51,000, will offer a range of hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Additionally, BMW plans to introduce the BMW i5 Touring, one of the first executive all-electric estates on the market.
Inside, the new 5 Series and i5 feature a triple-layer dashboard supporting a single curved display panel. This setup includes separate 12.3-inch instrument and 14.9-inch infotainment touch displays running the latest BMW 8.5 operating system based on Linux software. Notably, the infotainment system introduces gaming and video functions for the first time, enhancing the user experience.
The BMW i5 aims to cater to a growing demand for electric vehicles in the luxury segment, further diversifying the automaker's EV portfolio.
The tease of the i5 estate comes follwing the launched of the second-generation BMW X2 SUV. The exterior showcases BMW's signature kidney grilles, optional illuminated grilles, and expansive LED headlights, while the interior is modernized with a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.7-inch central touchscreen under a single curved glass, running the latest iDrive Operating System 9.
The X2 offers two petrol engines, including a mild-hybrid sDrive20i with a 1.5-litre engine and a high-performance M35i xDrive with a 2.0-litre turbo, alongside an all-electric version, the iX2 xDrive30, which features dual electric motors, a 64.8kWh battery, and up to 279 miles of range. The X2 is available for order now, with deliveries starting in March 2024, and pricing beginning at £39,365 for the sDrive20i, £47,395 for the M35i xDrive, and £56,540 for the iX2 xDrive30.