The BMW 5 Series is one of the most iconic and successful luxury sedans in the world, with a history that spans over four decades and seven generations. Now, for the first time ever, the 5 Series is available fully-electric with the 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive.
The i5 M60 xDrive is not just a regular 5 Series with a battery pack and an electric motor. It's a completely new model that was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, with a sleek and futuristic exterior, a spacious and high-tech interior, and a powerful and efficient drivetrain.
The i5 M60 xDrive is also the first model to wear the M badge in BMW's electric I sub-brand, which means it has been tuned by BMW's performance division to deliver exceptional driving dynamics and agility. The i5 M60 xDrive is not only fast but also fun to drive, with a sporty chassis, adaptive suspension, rear-axle steering, and an intelligent all-wheel drive system that can vary the torque distribution between the front and rear wheels.
How fast is the BMW i5 M60 xDrive?
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is powered by two electric motors, one on each axle, that produce a combined output of 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. That's enough to propel the sedan from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and to reach a top speed of 155 mph.
According to BMW, the electric motors are fed by a 113 kWh battery pack that offers an estimated range of 375 miles on a single charge. The battery can be recharged from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes using a DC fast charger with up to 200 kW of power. The BMW i5 M60 xDrive also supports wireless charging with up to 11 kW of power, which can fully charge the battery overnight.
The i5 M60 xDrive features four driving modes: Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, and Adaptive. Each mode adjusts the power delivery, steering feel, suspension settings, and regenerative braking intensity according to the driver's preference and driving situation. The Adaptive mode automatically adapts to the driver's style and road conditions using data from the navigation system and various sensors.
How does the BMW i5 M60 xDrive look?
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive has a distinctive and elegant design that differentiates it from other 5 Series models. The front end features a large kidney grille with various sensors and cameras for driver assistance systems. The grille is flanked by slim LED headlights that have a blue accent for a signature look. The hood has a sculpted shape that enhances the aerodynamics and reduces drag.
The side profile reveals a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a coupe-like roofline that gives the i5 M60 xDrive a dynamic stance. The door handles are flush with the bodywork and pop out when touched. The wheels are 20-inch alloy wheels with an aerodynamic design that improves efficiency.
The rear end features LED taillights that are connected by a light bar that runs across the trunk lid. The bumper has a diffuser that optimizes airflow and reduces lift. The dual exhaust tips are fake but add some visual flair to the otherwise clean rear fascia.
How is the interior of the BMW i5 M60 xDrive?
The interior of the BMW i5 M60 xDrive is spacious and luxurious, with high-quality materials and advanced technology. The dashboard is dominated by two curved screens: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen on the center console. Both screens run on BMW's Operating System 8 software, which offers intuitive controls, natural voice recognition, gesture control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, over-the-air updates, and more.
The seats are upholstered in leather or synthetic leather, depending on the trim level, and offer heating, ventilation, massage, and memory functions. The rear seats have plenty of legroom and headroom thanks to the flat floor and sloping roofline. The trunk has a capacity of 16 cubic feet, which can be expanded by folding down the rear seats.
The i5 M60 xDrive also comes with many driver assistance features that make driving safer and easier. These include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, lane keeping assist with side collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, front collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, parking assist with a surround-view camera, head-up display, night vision with animal detection, and more.
How much does the BMW i5 M60 xDrive cost?
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive will go on sale in early 2024 as part of BMW's ambitious plan to launch more than 10 fully-electric models by 2023. The pricing is expected to start around $90,000, comparable to other luxury electric sedans like the Tesla Model S or the Lucid Air.
The i5 M60 xDrive will also be eligible for various incentives and tax credits for electric vehicles in Canada, depending on the province or territory where it is purchased or leased.
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is a fully-electric 5 Series sedan that doesn't compromise on performance or luxury. It offers impressive speed, range, handling, comfort, style, technology, and safety features at a competitive price. It's also one of the first models to wear both a BMW i badge for electrification and an M badge for performance in BMW's lineup.
If you're looking for an electric sedan that can do it all without sacrificing anything you love about driving a BMW, you should definitely check out the BMW i5 M60 xDrive when it hits showrooms next year.
