The new BMW 5 Series, including the all-new fully-electric BMW i5, celebrated the official start of production recently at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, Germany.
The site in Lower Bavaria, which is celebrating 50 years of BMW automotive production in 2023, has now ramped up its third fully-electric model in two years, following the BMW iX and BMW i7. Pure battery-electric vehicles’ share of total production at the BMW Group’s largest European manufacturing location is projected to increase to over 40 percent next year.
The all-electric BMW i5 is equipped with extensively enhanced fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology and is being launched in two variants. The BMW i5 M60 xDrive, which combines an up to 601 hp drive with M performance and specific design features, features two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles make up an electric all-wheel drive.
The system torque generated is up to 820 Nm when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated. This enables the BMW i5 M60 to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, its top speed is electrically limited to 230 km/h.
Meanwhile the BMW i5 eDrive40 is powered by an electric motor that drives the rear wheels and generates a maximum output of 340 hp and a maximum torque of up to 430 Nm with Sport Boost or Launch Control function. The BMW i5 eDrive40 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, with a top speed of 193 km/h.
The space-saving high-voltage battery is located in the underbody and provides a usable energy content of 81.2 kWh. In addition to the efficient electric motors, the latest version of adaptive recuperation and an intelligent combination of heat pump technology for heating and cooling the interior, drive and high-voltage battery contribute to the long range.
The respective WLTP values are 455 – 516 kilometres for the BMW i5 M60 xDrive and 497 – 582 kilometres for the BMW i5 eDrive40. With the new Max Range function, the range can be increased by up to 25 percent if required by limiting power and speed and deactivating comfort functions.
The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) of the BMW i5 enables AC charging with an output of up to 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option. The high-voltage battery can be charged with direct current with a power of up to 205 kW. For example, the battery charge level in the BMW i5 can be raised from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes.
