BMW i5: Lane change by glancing at the side-view mirror!

Miramar in Spain is known for the ability to do very fast laps and explore limits. There, first driving impressions with the BMW i5 have now been gained. It is based on the so-called CLAR architecture and was, so to speak, "developed downwards" from the 7 Series. Since the 7 Series, at around 5.3 meters, indulges in comfort more than ever and can hardly hide its size and weight, the 5 Series had to become significantly more dynamic. To prove that, Miramar was the place.

Wide engine range – BMW serves up "pizza with everything" again with the "G60"

In addition to the i5, other engines will also be offered, just like with the 7 Series and 4 Series, and it will also come as a Touring – with all engines as well. There will still be petrol and diesel engines with four or six cylinders, and there could even be two versions of the M5 – as a V8 and electric, and several plug-ins are planned with up to 100 kilometers of purely electric range. The 60 series is expected to consume 17.9 to 21.2 kWh/100 km, while the 40 series is stated to consume 16.0 to 19.7 kWh/100 km.

Unfortunately, the 5 Series continues to grow to around five meters, which provides more space inside but also binds more resources and drives up the weight. It remains to be seen when a manufacturer will finally dare to break this growth spiral that has persisted for decades. BMW, at least, was once again too timid to do so.

However, the designers have done a good job of disguising the size: A high-rising, strongly sloping, and retracting rear end makes the i5 appear more compact than it is. The wild front of the 7 Series is not carried over by the i5; instead, its daytime running lights subtly hint at the "new class". Inside, it will share many components with its big brother and be arranged somewhat more "simply". The drag coefficient (cW) is said to be between 0.22 and 0.23 – keeping a modest distance from the record values of the Mercedes-Benz EQS.

The i5 still has to cope with 400 volts

The battery capacity of the base model will be similar to that of the i4, around 80 kWh, which should be enough for up to 580 km of range. Similar to Stellantis, BMW is planning a "Max Range" mode, which drastically reduces power output and even limits top speed to 90 km/h like a truck – in return, it should offer up to 25 percent more range! For fast charging, they want to get even faster than ever before – colleagues report from BMW employees who, at least temporarily, want to push more than 200 kW into the i5 – even though CLAR – the "cluster architecture" still has to cope with 400 volts. (800 volts will only come with the new class.

But now on to the winding handling course in Miramar, where the i5 meets our expectations. Colleagues attest to the i5's expected crisp yet comfortable handling, which lies almost exactly between the i4 and i7. In the finely balanced chassis, BMW combines steel springs at the front with air springs at the rear on the M60 xDrive, along with adaptive dampers that can react even faster and more complexly. The electronically controlled roll stabilization and all-wheel steering complete the "rounded" impression. BMW has translated the steering more directly than before, avoiding artificial stiffness like with Mini and co. Additionally, the front end has been further stiffened to keep the 5 Series taut and crisp under all conditions, without drifting into nervousness. However, with active throttle use, the rear end can indeed be happily "activated".

Spooky: Lane change by looking in the side mirror!

He can park automatically on demand and at market launch he can drive autonomously according to Level 2 with highway assistant - even without a hand on the steering wheel. Because with the i5, a camera is supposed to ensure that the driver is "hands on" or "attention-wise on". The further developed Operating System 8.5 makes it possible. The camera orients itself to the nose! That's why BMW also speaks of the nose vector. Clearly: it is the foremost easily locatable point on the driver's face, allowing the i5 to determine where the driver is looking. It also ups the ante for lane changes: where one had to look oneself and initiate it via the turn signal in the 7 series, the 5 series now permanently checks the surrounding traffic and offers it. This can then be confirmed by simply looking in the side mirror (!) or by manually using the turn signal.

After the i5 M60 xdrive, there was also a ride in the 40i – which can do everything just as well but is much more relaxed and likely to be the first choice for many. BMW has not yet revealed the prices, but if one calculates with 80,000 euros, they are likely not far off.

What does that mean?

The 5 series is a consistent further development of its predecessors – but now also fully electric, with all the advantages and disadvantages of the package. Unfortunately, it has grown again, but has also improved in driving assistance. And it is likely to be considered the new 7 series in Europe – especially since it is more attractively designed than the latter.