The BMW 5 series is perfectly well known around the world for providing luxury, practicality and family practicality in one stylish looking package. It has always been among the best sellers of the Munich-based company, so the new version has high expectations. The test model we have today is the BMW i5M60 with AWD enabled on the front and rear two motors. This resulted in a combined output of 442kW (601hp) and a time of 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds. From the front, the similarity with the new Skoda model, especially excellent, is strange. This is mainly due to the two indented lines on the hood leading to the BMW logo and the downward-facing headlights.
The headlights themselves are almost identical to most other BMW models in terms of light signature, even if the housing is completely different. They create a small tunnel that perfectly illuminates the road ahead and does not blind incoming traffic, but let's take a full look at where you are going. Kidney grille serves no purpose in the i5 other than the radar housing, as the EV variant does not require much cooling. But they can light up in the dark, creating a unique perspective and making the i5 incredibly unique. It's definitely not the best way to stand out, as the whole thing looks very sticky and inexpensive. Lighting gives a distinctive "boy racer" atmosphere, and some parts are not lit, so even one on a budget.
The I5 wheel comes in many variants ranging from 19 to 21 inches, with our model having a 20 inch M sport wheel. They fit the i5 well and strike a fine balance between look, ride comfort and consumption. The rear end of the new 5 series looks like a refresh of the previous G30 generation. The taillights have 2 straight horizontal LED strips on both sides, creating a unique look, but they are different from other BMW in the past, so if you first see them in the dark, you might not recognize it as one. The I5M60 comes with a subtle carbon spoiler that gives it an average look and once again shows great attention to detail.
The most aggressive bit in the back is definitely a massive diffuser that doesn't look out of place in a true M car. Overall, the design of the BMW i5M60 fits well with a sporty sedan with 601 horsepower. It is balanced between luxury and traditionalism, but it has some of BMW's most distinctive features. The interior of the BMW i5m60 is definitely the best bit about the car. At the front, there is a huge light bar, ranging from one door through the dashboard to the other. It looks as if it is made of crystals and can be lit in multiple colors, creating a cozy atmosphere. Its only drawback is that its glass housing is embossed and reflects a lot of sun rays to the eyes during operation.
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This also applies to other crystal elements inside. The two displays offer crisp image quality and multiple configuration options to enable you to personalize your driving experience. The dashboard features a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.9-inch giant infotainment display housed in 1 giant curved unit. The integration in the dashboard looks like an afterthought, but the 2 screens provide an amazing array of features that come back little by little. Move to the bottom of the dash and you'll find a small storage area with wireless charging and cup holders. Behind it is a beautiful crystal oscillator with iDrive controllers, gear selectors and other vehicle settings and adjustments.
Everything looks clean and very upscale, but it is also a fingerprint magnet with a polished finish. The small fidget gear selector looks a bit comical in such a stately and conspicuous vehicle, but it does not take anything away from the overall look of the interior. The armrests aren't as deep as the other EVs, but the i5 is based on a traditional ICE platform and reduces storage space because the center is where the drivetrain, gearbox and other elements are located. The I5M60 seat is very soft and comfortable, providing enough support to stay in place during cornering. Our model has been equipped with optional hot and cooled seats, while you can also add massage for all 4 seats.
On the door there is a control of the seat, which is a touch-sensitive button on the LED strip, but in this case it is not an important function and does not bother to leave it as it is. The sunroof you get into the i5 is a big disappointment because it's not open. Its cover also moves from behind to front, but this is an unusual problem, if not necessary. Globally, the i5 interior exudes luxury and is a pleasant place to spend your time. The two places where more substantial cost savings have happened take away some of that shine, but we'll still give it a good mark in the end. Storing items in the I5 is easy with a box-shaped trunk and some clever storage pockets, and is 30 l less than the conventional 5 series of the same model.
The weight of the I5M60 is definitely unwieldy, but the suspension and raw power delivery brilliantly hide its flaws. You will never remain really satisfied and the i5M60 is among the best modern sedans when it comes to driving experience. Technology and assistants play a major role while driving the I5, even if sometimes this can prove as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, technological advances allow it to be its good for driving and it helps to handle excessive weight, but some other features can annoy you and even distract you. One good example of this is the constant beeping when the speed limit assistant is active.
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It's a great feature that shows your current speed limit, but for some reason European regulations made it so that it will beep at you when you exceed the limit and also need to beep every time there is a change in the limit itself. When you turn on the cruise control and press the turn signal, the i5 will automatically change lanes when you tilt your head in the same direction. This was very useful when you were on a long highway - just sit back, relax and let the BMW i5 do 99% of your work. The BMW i5 is tech-rich and this becomes evident the moment you step inside. The large infotainment screen comes with BMW's latest iDrive8.5 iteration and is readily available to all current owners with 8.0 generation, and the central screen can be activated by touch or by a crystal knob on the center console, or even by voice commands.
The I5M60 comes with BMW's connected services, which provides Internet access and multiple online features, but this is sadly not a subscription feature, making it a lifetime option as before. An important feature that will soon come to iDrive8.5 is Apple CarPlay will also connect to a gauge cluster and a head-up control unit (if optional). This way you can use your phone as your car brain, but you can also have the car's native interface at hand when you need it. The ride of the BMW i5 is soft, but it does not float. If you wish, you can dial the damper for a sporty feel and get a tough ride in exchange for better cornering. On our bumpy test track, the i5 proved to be a solid vehicle that confidently ran over bumps and potholes, but when the nose started diving, even before the front tires reached the ground, it could definitely feel a huge weight at speed.
In larger obstacles, the damper needs to bounce several times before calming the chassis, but at speed and corners, the suspension works brilliantly by providing comfort to the passengers and giving enough feedback to the driver. The I5 is quiet inside. And we mean very quiet. The BMW man did a glorious job of insulating the cabin from the surroundings and the noise level is easily among the best we have measured. The I5M60 is by no means a sports car with its huge weight and huge size, but it's definitely fast from the bargain. The claimed time of 0 seconds for the sprint from 100km/h to 3.8, even in bad weather, was able to get an impressive mile of 3.6 seconds for the sprint and 11.6 seconds for the winter tires.
The M60 variant will not leave you wanting more power and is a true highway hero. It is the maximum speed limit of 230 km/h that prevents it from completely conquering the drag strip. As with acceleration, there were no optimal conditions for brake testing. Winter tires, combined with low ambient temperatures and wet road surfaces, completely stopped the non-irritating 43m (142ft) from 100km/h. Still, our subjective feeling was that the brakes work fine for the conditions and in normal use provide adeuqate stops for such a large car. The large i5M60 was not going to set any records when it comes to efficiency, but it still provides a decent range, especially for ice platform vehicles.
The conditions under which we had to conduct the test meant that the i5 really had the potential to make a better impression, and it was far from optimal. BMW people knew that the 5 series is their most respected model, so be careful to approach to creating a fully electric version badge weighs a lot in this case, but thankfully this skillfully designed vehicle carries it with great attention to detail and a wide range of features generous of modernity. The I5M60 should be driven like a proper sports sedan without sacrificing luxury or comfort. Everything responds quickly and is easy to use without glitches, irritating bugs, or the general downturn that has plagued many cars lately.
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