Following the path traced by the 4 Series and 7 Series, the BMW 5 Series will for the first time in its history have an almost identical twin powered by electrons. The German midsize sedan is thus added to a list of electric models that continues to grow among luxury manufacturers.
This eighth generation of a precursor which made its first laps in 1972 therefore marks a fundamental change in posture on a technical level. Visually, the archetype of its segment remains reserved, however, ensuring a break with a good part of the BMW range which gives way to vertical grilles as imposing as they are controversial.
The sedan grows in the transition by 86 mm in length, 33 mm in width and 35 mm in height, no doubt to better ensure competition with SUVs. Its overall length of 5060 mm essentially makes it familiar with the previous generation BMW 7 Series with standard wheelbase.
Respecting the alphanumeric name of its models without combustion engine, the electric variant of the 5 Series will be called i5. When it arrives in Canada in October, only one livery will be offered, called M60 xDrive. With two motors, one at each axle, producing a total of 590 hp, it ensures a 0-100 km/h in 3.8 s. It will be able to travel up to 412 km on a full charge of its 84.3 kWh battery. However, its 400 V electrical architecture limits the maximum charging power to 205 kW. BMW specifies that it would nevertheless only take 30 minutes to go from 10% to 80% on compatible terminals.
The proposed second version of this 5 Series when it enters will be much less mechanically extravagant. Equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder with a displacement of 2.0 L and an output of 255 hp, the 530i xDrive confirms a strategy focusing on electric first. Its asset remains its price compared to the i5, set at $70,500 compared to $95,000 for the electric version. BMW has confirmed to us that the 540i version equipped with a turbocharged inline six-cylinder will not be marketed in Canada. Same goes for the i5’s two-wheel-drive livery with a 335hp rear-engine (eDrive40). A plug-in hybrid version is however in the plans.
Intriguingly, BMW uses the same platform for combustion engine and electric versions. Employing a double wishbone suspension at the front supported by adaptive dampers, it distributes the weight almost perfectly between the front and the rear. Directional rear wheels ensure improved agility and easier parking. The manufacturer has also equipped this Series 5 with an automated lane change that can be activated… by glancing at the side mirror on the side to which you want to move.
This BMW 5 Series adopts inside the large rectangular curved screen incorporating both the instrumentation and the iDrive 8.5 multimedia system. It incorporates a video game platform, which is – fortunately – only accessible when the vehicle is stationary. Like what, this car is an extension of your smartphone.
