BMW reveals more details of the upcoming fully-electric i5

KUALA LUMPUR: It was only yesterday that Mercedes-Benz E-Class was revealed fully and now acting promptly BMW has revealed more details about its upcoming fully-electric i5 and all-new 5 Series.

As per the automaker, the all-new BMW 5 Series will be offered in three versions, including an internal combustion engine (ICE), a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and a fully-electric i5 unit. Our prime focus is on the fully electric unit which is currently running in its final testing phase and will be revealed in a week.

Here’s all we know about the upcoming BMW i5 -

Variants

The new i5 will be offered in two trim options - the M60 xDrive and the eDrive40.

Powertrain

Once launched, the new BMW 5 Series will be offered in three powertrain options, thus leading to a wide weight variation across the lineup. The latter led BMW to conduct model-specific, case-by-case chassis tuning and corresponding control systems application which delivers BMW's signature driving pleasure.

Suspension

While the BMW Adaptive Suspension Professional Plus will come as standard fitment in the i5 M60 xDrive version, it will be an optional feature in the i5 eDrive 40. The new BMW 5 Series ICE and PHEV versions will also get the same suspension setup either as a standard or optional item.

For those who are not aware of the Adaptive Suspension Professional Plus system, it is built with the 9th gen BMW Vertical Dynamics Management system. It will allow the new 5 Series to offer the same level of comfort and agility as the 7 Series and 3 Series.

Safety

The BMW i5 will come equipped with modern safety and automated driving systems. The EV is expected to feature the brand's Highway Assistant system which is part of the BMW Driving Assistant Professional Plus kit.

Other additions are -

• An interior camera monitoring driver alertness
• Eye-activated lane-changing system (prompted by looking at the driver-side ORVM & works at up to 130 kmph)

Production

The all-new BMW 5 Series will be manufactured at the BMW Group’s Dingolfing plant in Bavaria, beginning in the summer of 2023.

Also Read: Maserati Grecale Folgore electric SUV debuts in China