The eighth generation of the BMW 5 Series sedan will launch in Australia later this year. It will be the first 5 Series to feature all-electric drive with the i5 model, which will be offered to Australian customers in two variants, alongside a sole petrol model, the 520i.
The petrol model will come with 48-volt mild hybrid tech.
The all-electric BMW i5 is equipped with fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, with both variants getting an 84kWh battery pack.
The range-topping BMW i5 M60 xDrive combines a 442kW electric drive with two integrated drive units on the front and
rear axles. System torque is up to 820Nm when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated, enabling the BMW i5 M60 to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 3.8-seconds. Top speed is limited to 230km/h.
The BMW i5 eDrive40 features an electric motor driving the rear wheels and generates a maximum output of 250kW and torque of up to 430Nm with the Sport Boost or Launch Control function. The BMW i5 eDrive40 will reach 100km/h in six seconds and its top speed is 193km/h.
Adaptive recuperation and a combination of heat pump technology for heating and cooling the interior, drive and high-voltage battery contribute to a range that BMW claims at 516km for the i5 M60 xDrive and 582km for the i5 eDrive40.
With the new MAX RANGE function, BMW says the range can be increased by up to 25 percent if required by limiting power and speed and deactivating comfort functions.
A Combined Charging Unit (CCU) enables AC charging with an input of up to 22kW and it can be plugged into a domestic household plug or connected to the BMW Wallbox. Charging with DC power up to 205kW will see the i5 go from 10-80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes. The i5 models are delivered with a domestic charger (Mode 2) and the AC Public Charging Cable Professional (Mode 3) charger.
BMW says a complimentary five-year subscription to the Chargefox charging network is also offered as standard for the BMW i5 models.
The new BMW 520i available at launch in Australia will be powered by an all-new four-cylinder unit with turbocharging and 48-volt mild hybrid technology offering 153kW and 330Nm, and a new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. The sprint to 100km/h comes in 7.5 seconds.
Chassis and control systems tech includes directly controlled wheel slip limitation, integrated braking system and sport steering with variable steering ratio as standard. M sport suspension, M sport brake system and the Adaptive Suspension Professional (standard on the BMW i5 models with M treatment added for the i5 M60 xDrive) with electronically controlled shock absorbers, Integral Active Steering and new vertical dynamics management are also on offer.
Light alloy wheels in sizes ranging between 19- and 21-inches sizes are available, including aerodynamic designs on the i5 models.
Other technology includes Driving Assistant Professional – which is standard across the model line-up – including Steering and Lane Control Assist and Distance Control with Stop & Go function.
There’s also Parking Assistant Professional, and Automated Manoeuvre Assistant – included within the Parking Assistant Professional offering – which enables parking and manoeuvring actions to be recorded and saved by the driver at any location, including its GPS location. The vehicle can then automatically perform that same manoeuvre at the request of the driver each time the vehicle returns to that location.
A BMW iDrive display and control system with QuickSelect system is based on the BMW Operating System 8.5 and combines with the BMW Curved Display and Intelligent Personal Assistant. The standard fit BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the BMW Head-Up Display and Augmented View on the Control Display or instrument cluster.
The Operating System 8.5 offers a range of digital content for information and entertainment. Video streaming is possible on the Control Display, as is in-car gaming with the AirConsole platform.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (June 2023)
