BMW 5 Series and BMW i5 delight everyone: from bad guys to tree huggers

The new BMW 5 Series and the fully electric BMW i5 are more than five meters long, 5.06 meters to be precise. That is almost ten centimeters (97 mm) longer than before. The width and height of the BMW 5 Series have also grown and are now 1.90 meters and 1.51 meters, an increase of 32 mm and 3 mm respectively. The wheelbase of the new BMW 5 Series is now almost three meters (2995 mm), 20 mm more than before. According to BMW, this is the longest wheelbase in the segment, ideal for the successful businessman / woman who likes to be transported.

For the first time in its long history, the BMW 5 Series is available in a fully electric version, the BMW i5. The electric BMW i5 is available in two versions:

• BMW i5 eDrive40 with one electric motor on the rear axle, 340 hp and 430 Nm
• BMW i5 M60 xDrive with two electric motors (front and rear, AWD), 601 hp and 820 Nm

BMW i5 range

As a businessman/woman in a hurry, you must of course have the second version. With this BMW i5 you can blast from a standstill to 100 km / h in 3.8 seconds. The top speed is limited to 230 km/h. Not that you will be late for your work appointment with the first version, because it accelerates to 100 in six seconds. Its top speed is 193 km/h. Fast charging is possible up to 205 kW. According to BMW, the battery (81.2 kWh) of the BMW i5 can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in thirty minutes.

BMW i5: charging without charge card

The BMW i5 range is 477 to 582 kilometers (eDrive40) and 455 to 516 kilometers (M60). With the new max range function, the BMW i5 range can be increased by up to 25 percent by limiting power and top speed and switching off certain comfort functions, according to BMW. A heat pump is standard. The i5 is the first electric BMW that is suitable for plug & charge. This allows the electric sedan to register independently at suitable public charging stations, without using an app or charge card.

BMW 5 series: petrol and diesel

Those who prefer to drive on petrol or diesel can also go to the new BMW 5 series. All models with an internal combustion engine are mild hybrid with a 48-volt battery and equipped with a newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission. The Dutch range of the new BMW 5 series currently consists of the following versions:

• BMW 520i met 208 pk
• BMW 520d with 197 hp
• BMW 520d xDrive met 197 pk

For now only four cylinders

All three combustion engines have four cylinders. Don't worry, BMW promises that there will be a BMW 5 Series with a new six-cylinder in-line engine in 2024, but as a diesel. Earlier, by the end of 2023, you can expect two plug-in hybrid versions. Those who prefer to drive electrically will also have more choice in 2024; then follows a third variant of the BMW i5 with all-wheel drive.

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Oh dear, fewer buttons

Something we already feared has also happened: the number of buttons in the cockpit of the BMW 5 Series has been significantly reduced compared to the outgoing model. We find physical control buttons for certain functions such as the air conditioning more convenient, but fortunately in the interior photo we see shortcuts on the large multimedia screen (14.9-inch, just like in the BMW i7). The digital instrument panel measures 12.3 inches.

Vegan interior

According to BMW, the interior of the new 5 Series is completely vegan, which makes the i5 especially suitable for tree huggers. The special vegan upholstery with leather-like properties for the seats, dashboard, steering wheel and door panels is optional. Those who don't care about Mother Nature can also opt for genuine leather upholstery.

In addition to tree huggers, BMW dealers will also have to deal with shadowy types, because the 5-series is now also available with what we consider to be the ordinary grille lighting that we previously saw on the BMW 7-series and BMW i7. You gotta love it, shall we say.

BMW immediately releases the prices of the new 5-series and i5. They start at 65,379 euros for the BMW 520i sedan. The electric BMW i5 is available from 77,572 euros. For the strongest version of the BMW i5 you have to pay at least 108,427 euros. The Dutch market launch is scheduled for October 2023.