Series 5, for the first time, has an all-electric version, hands-free driving technology on the highway, and automatically changing lanes in the direction of the driver’s view.

In the US, BMW sells four times as many X5s as the series 5 in 2022, but the low-riding midsize luxury sedan remains an important product for the German automaker. The 8th generation has just been introduced by the company on May 24 with the first pure electric version of i5 in 51 years since its birth.

The new generation of BMW’s 5 series was recently introduced, including the first pure electric version called the i5. The 5 and i5 series are similar in terms of design and platform but differ in their powertrain. The new generation has a slightly higher starting price compared to the previous generation.

In the United States, the standard 530i starts at $57,900, which is $1,900 more than the 2023 model. However, the 540i xDrive is $300 cheaper. The i5 eDrive 40, with a rear electric motor, starts at $66,800, while the xDrive M60 version, equipped with two electric motors and all-wheel drive, is priced at $84,100. Both electric models will be available at BMW dealerships in the US from October.

The i5 eDrive 40 has a power output of 335 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, with an acceleration time from 0 to 97 km/h in 5.7 seconds. The xDrive M60 version produces 590 horsepower and 795 Nm of torque, achieving an impressive acceleration time of only 3.7 seconds.

Both electric versions feature a heat pump system, an 84.3 kWh battery pack, and the ability to charge at either 11 kW AC or 205 kW DC. The charging time for 10-20% capacity is about 30 minutes. Customers who purchase the i5 in the US will receive 30 minutes of free full charging within 2 years at Electrify America fast charging stations.

The i5 eDrive 40 can travel approximately 475 km on a single charge, while the heavier xDrive M60 version has a range of about 412 km. The i5 also offers a Max Range mode to optimize battery efficiency by turning off certain features such as air conditioning and heating.

In terms of petrol engines, the 530i and 530i xDrive versions are equipped with a 2-liter, 4-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. The 540i xDrive version features a 3-liter, 6-cylinder TwinPower engine with a power output of 375 horsepower and 521 Nm of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in just 4.5 seconds.

The new generation 5 series have a more modern design and increased dimensions compared to the previous generation. It features upgraded display systems, including a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch multimedia screen. The car also comes with advanced technologies such as gesture control, voice assistance, and access to the AirConsole platform for entertainment.

Additional features include highway driving assist, automatic parking technology, and various driving experience settings. The suspension system remains similar to the previous generation, but each version of the new generation offers a steering mechanism with adjustable gear ratios.

BMW plans to launch the new 5 series globally starting from October, with the production of the 6-cylinder engine version set to begin in November.

Source: vnexpress.net