BMW i5

BMW is only taking the extravagance in its interior design and equipment levels with every newly launched car even higher, and that is evident in the cabin layout of the new BMW i5. The interior of the new BMW i5 looks extremely modern and futuristic, with the German carmaker playing effectively with colours for the artificial leather upholstery, trim levels and ambient lighting. 

The flat-bottom multi-functional steering wheel, which has gloss black touches for the spokes, gets a curved full-TFT cockpit behind it which houses the instrument console with multiple display modes and the new-generation touchscreen infotainment system. There is an interaction bar running between the dashboard and door panels, which features innovative ambient lighting, while also housing touch-based controls for automatic climate control and other functions. 

The BMW i5 is also being offered with a very premium 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which also comes with a sub-woofer and amplifier for a theatre-like sound experience. The lower centre console here features a crystalline effect in its design while accommodating a drive mode controller, electronic parking brake, wireless charging pad and a few other functions. There is also a panoramic glass sunroof on offer, which enhances the sense of space on the inside, though taller passengers might complain about the lack of legroom at the rear. 

The BMW i5 looks identical to the eighth-generation 5-Series which was launched alongside it. There are minute differentiating elements between the two when looked at from the outside. However, that’s not a bad thing, for BMW has made significant and noteworthy efforts to make the car look fresh and new-age.

The front profile of the BMW i5 has the trademark double kidney grille, which here has a closed design and comes with satin silver surrounds and vertical closed slats. The grille surrounds light with white illumination irrespective of vehicle is stationary or in motion. The sleek and sweptback headlamps here feature Matrix LED lights with inverted L-shaped daytime running LEDs. The front bumper here gets gloss black highlights around the air vents on the corners and the central air dam, which further makes the car look sportier. 

The BMW i5 looks sleek and subtle when viewed from the side, with the all-electric sedan having large 19-inch alloy wheels and a smooth design for the fenders and door panels. This all-electric car, like most of the new-generation BMW offerings, features old-school flap-type door handles, while the window panels and B-Pillar here get a gloss black finish.

The rear profile of the BMW i5 also looks identical to its petrol-powered equivalent. The trapezoidal sleek LED tail lamps, which grow wider towards their outer edges, extend towards the license plate housing in the middle of the boot lid. The rear diffuser at the bottom of the rear bumper and the surrounds for the reflectors have gloss-black highlights.

With a suspension setup comprising a double wishbone at the front and multi-link with steel springs and hydraulic dampers at the rear, the BMW i5 also comes with an adaptive M suspension professional with electronically controlled dampers for adapting to the tarmac conditions automatically. The air suspension at the rear further enhances the sense of comfort, while the near-actuator damping mechanism on both axles further amplifies that sense. 

The BMW i5 in its eDrive40 variant comes with a single-motor setup for its powertrain. This electric motor, which is paired with a single-speed automatic transmission, generates a maximum power output of 250 PS, with a peak torque output of 400 Nm. This car can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 6 seconds and has an electronically-restricted top speed of 193 kmph. The BMW i5 also comes with an 81.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers an impressive range of 582 km.

The long list of safety features offered in the new BMW i5 includes eight airbags, ABS with EBD, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree parking camera, electronic stability control, traction control, forward collision mitigation with a cross-traffic warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning with automatic braking, lane keep assistance and front collision mitigation with left turn warning.

With all the hype it generated at the time of its launch, the BMW i5, the all-electric equivalent of the BMW 5-Series, is a technological marvel with sophisticated styling inside-out, efficient powertrain – both in performance and range and the typical BMW sheer driving pleasure.