There’s no single standout characteristic that headlines the 2024 BMW i5. Quite, it’s this sedan’s general breadth of competency that ought to actually get you stoked. You’ll be able to putz by means of city, hustle down winding roads, or cowl nice distances on the freeway – and that final one doesn’t even contain touching the steering wheel. All advised, this totally electrical 5 Sequence must be a becoming delineation of BMW’s long-serving midsize sedan.
Forward of the 2024 5 Sequence’ premiere in late Might (and a fall 2023 on-sale date), BMW rolled out a couple of prototypes of the i5 EV for me to pattern in and round its big testing facility in Miramas, France. The unhealthy information? I can’t inform you something in regards to the full vary of inside combustion and plug-in hybrid powertrain choices, nor can I affirm lots of the specs in regards to the electrical i5. The excellent news? I can safely say the 5 Sequence received’t be a mega uggo just like the 7 Sequence. Even by means of the prototype’s heavy camouflage, typical headlights and a fairly sized grille are apparent. I do know magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, however… that i7… yeesh.
![2024 BMW i5 eDrive40](https://cdn.motor1.com/images/static/16x9-tr.png)
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What We Know (And What We Don’t)
BMW will initially introduce the i5 in two configurations. The bottom i5 eDrive40 may have a single, rear-mounted drive motor producing 335 horsepower, whereas the uplevel i5 M60 xDrive bumps output as much as 590 hp because of a dual-motor setup. Torque specs aren’t but obtainable, however based mostly solely on equally named fashions in BMW’s lineup, I’m guessing round 315 to 320 lb-ft for the eDrive40 (the i4 eDrive40 makes 335 hp and 317 lb-ft) and as a lot as 750 lb-ft for the M60 (the iX M60 has 749 lb-ft, or 811 lb-ft in Launch mode).
The i5 will use a lithium-ion battery pack of an unknown capability, mounted in conventional skateboard vogue low within the chassis between the axles. DC fast-charging speeds are TBD, however I’m betting it’ll be round 200 kilowatts; an i7 xDrive60, for reference, prices at 195 kW. Vary numbers are – you guessed it – additionally being finalized, however BMW is concentrating on a US EPA ranking of 295 miles for the i5 eDrive40. This mannequin’s closest rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+, has an estimated vary of 305 miles and a 170-kW cost price.
Preserve Your Arms To Your self
Going the gap is one thing the i5 nails. It’s comfy, with credit score going to the properly damped double-wishbone entrance suspension and the additional cushiness of air springs on the rear axle. It’s additionally loaded with driver-assistance tech, together with an up to date model of BMW’s glorious Freeway Assistant that now consists of automated, hands-free lane adjustments.
Say you’re doing 75 mph on the freeway and there’s a semi truck forward of you. The BMW i5 will proactively verify the lane to the left, and if it’s clear, it’ll provide you with a warning that it’s able to merge. All it’s a must to do to simply accept the lane change is take a look at the corresponding aspect mirror and, presto, you’re in your method. Not that touching the flip sign stalk is a chore or something, and you’ll nonetheless manually request lane adjustments by doing so. However this little added gesture management retains the Freeway Assistant fully hands-free. Oh, and for those who don’t really feel like going by means of with the 5 Sequence’ urged lane change, simply maintain trying straight forward.
Freeway Assistant works like Common Motors’ Tremendous Cruise in that it permits the i5 to drive for prolonged intervals of time on the freeway with out requiring the driving force to place their fingers on the wheel. Plus, Freeway Assistant is extra forgiving of small bits of driver intervention, like if you wish to veer barely to keep away from particles within the highway. Different techniques would possibly fully disengage, however Freeway Assistant retains on rolling.
After the 5 Sequence launches this fall, BMW will ship out over-the-air updates to 7 Sequence prospects to offer their vehicles this further characteristic. Thanks, 5G connectivity.
Talking of which, the 5 Sequence line may have BMW’s up to date iDrive 8.5 multimedia software program that’ll quickly roll out throughout the corporate’s portfolio. The main change for this method is that there’s a hard and fast row of icons on the backside of the central show that makes it simpler to search out essentially the most ceaselessly used menus. Belief me, it’s a superb factor.
Extra Enjoyable Than The Common Commuter
The eDrive40 will undoubtedly be the higher-volume i5 variant, and you understand, that’s advantageous. Certain, it has quite a bit much less energy than the M60, however the rear-wheel-drive i5 is lighter and extra sprightly. It’s nonetheless loads fast when accelerating because of all that electrical torque (nevertheless a lot it’s), and the steering is responsive and filled with suggestions. The brakes have robust chunk, too.
If you wish to get rowdy, although, the i5 M60 xDrive is an actual honey. The additional energy is noticeable, that a lot is a given. Nevertheless it’s the poise afforded by the M60’s lively anti-roll tech that basically helps with consolation and composure. Over damaged pavement, there aren’t as many suspension actions, so the automotive handles highway blemishes with better stability. On clean surfaces, the 48-volt anti-roll know-how culls pointless physique actions, however to not the purpose the place it makes the i5 really feel uncharacteristically taut.
The i5 may have 2.5-degree rear axle steering that helps with agility at increased speeds, however not like Mercedes-Benz’s 10-degree system, this isn’t precisely a boon for parking zone and tight metropolis maneuverability. Then again, the i5 will include all the identical parking help skills because the i7, the place you may even remotely management the sedan alongside a pre-mapped route. Like, in case your driveway tremendous sucks or one thing.
After a day of testing i5 prototypes, the very best praise I may give this sedan is that it drives like a 5 Sequence ought to. It doesn’t really feel overly heavy, regardless of the large battery ballast between the axles. It’s not wafty, but on the identical time, the M60’s comparatively low-profile 245/40 entrance and 275/35 rear tires don’t end in a chatty journey. There’ll naturally be variations between the bottom 5 Sequence fashions with mounted dampers and the zippier M variants with lively suspension applied sciences, however from what I’ve sampled up to now, this BMW looks like a strong center floor between the nimbleness of a 3 Sequence and glorious refinement of a giant 7.
So Far, So Good
What else can I inform you? Not a lot, I’m afraid. From what I can see between cuts of camouflage, the i5’s inside has a simple format, and the seats are fairly stinkin’ good – comfortable sufficient for a protracted day of testing, at any price. The cabin seemingly received’t have the identical degree of styling flourish as a Mercedes-Benz EQE; don’t count on tens of millions of ambient lighting colours or pinstriped wooden. However not less than the i5 is quiet, and it’ll for certain have higher match and end than something Tesla gives, with bodily controls and every part.
If the interior combustion 5 Sequence begins in the identical $55,000 to $60,000 vary as earlier than, my guess is that the i5 will command nearer to $75,000 or $80,000. A brand-new Mercedes EQE 350+ prices $76,050 together with vacation spot, so use that as a barometer for the place the BMW would possibly find yourself.
There’s much more we’ll be taught in regards to the 2024 5 Sequence when BMW takes the wraps off its new sedan in Might. Right here’s hoping the remainder of the vary is as all-around nice because the compelling new i5.