2024 BMW 5 Series Revealed With First-Ever Electric i5

On the electric side, the i5 is available as an eDrive40 or M60 xDrive. As you can guess by their names, one is for range, while the other is more performance minded.

The i5 eDrive40 has a single electric motor at the rear axle, sticking to the traditional rear-wheel-drive formula. Apart from the base 530i, it's arguably the most traditional of the lot. The rear-mounted motor produces 335 hp and 295 lb-ft, increasing to 317 lb-ft when Sport Boost or launch control is engaged. It will hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and is limited to 120 mph.

The i5 M60 xDrive uses the same rear-mounted electric motor as the eDrive40, but BMW bolts an additional 257-hp motor to the front axle. System outputs are 590 hp and 549 lb-ft, but like the lesser model, M Sport Boost and launch control give a temporary torque boost to 605 lb-ft. In case you were wondering, the title of the most powerful 5 Series ever still belongs to the M5 CS... for now.

Despite weighing 6,404 pounds, the i5 M60 can sprint to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and tops out at 143 mph with performance tires (130 mph with all-seasons).

These electric models use BMW's fifth-generation battery technology with 84.3 kWh usable capacity. The eDrive40 can cover 295 miles between charges on 19-inch wheels, while the M60 can only muster 256 miles, with BMW's in-house range testing replicating EPA testing for greater accuracy. Max Range mode restricts power and some comfort features to eke out as much range as possible.

While the range figures are mediocre compared to the i5's rivals, its charging options are impressive. The Combined Charging Unit in the i5 allows for Level 2 AC charging up to 11 kW for rapid overnight charging. DC fast-charging occurs at speeds of up to 205 kW, replenishing 10-80% SOC in 30 mins. First-time i5 buyers will also get two years of 30-minute charges at Electrify America.

As the only model in the range wearing the fabled "M" badge, the M60 has several model-specific features that should make driving more entertaining, including electronically-controlled dampers, rear-wheel steering, a lowered ride height, and an M Sport braking system.

Lesser models don't get these as standard but with a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution for the ICE models, and standard double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension, all should hold their own on a mountain pass.

Combustion models with xDrive still use mechanical AWD, while the i5 M60's twin motors are classified as eAWD with no mechanical connection.

Sports steering with variable ratios is standard across the range, with angle-dependant ratios and speed-related power assistance customizable to your liking.

BMW perfectly balanced old-school luxury and modern technology. The BMW Curved Display comprises a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Operating System 8.5. It can stream video, and you can partake in some in-car gaming thanks to the new AirConsole platform. The Interaction Bar is carried over from the i7, and it's decorative as well as functional and can activate climate control or hazard warning lights.

Beyond this element, traditional decor appointments include wood, leather, and an optional fixed panoramic glass roof. Sports seats are standard on ICE models with multi-contour seats on the i5.

BMW says the new 5 Series can be ordered with a fully leather-free interior with leather-like perforated Veganza on the seats, dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel.

The new 5 Series and i5 will be produced at BMW's Dingolfing plant, and the global market launch is scheduled for October 2023. Most models will be available then, but the 540i xDrive will only be produced from November 2023, with a PHEV variant arriving in 2024.

The American lineup consists of the 530i ($57,900), 530i xDrive ($60,200), 540i xDrive ($64,900), i5 eDrive40 ($66,800), and the range-topping i5 M60, which costs a hefty $84,100. All these prices exclude the $995 destination charge.

Compared to the current 5 Series, it's around $3,000 more for each model. The i5 undercuts the equivalent Mercedes-Benz EQE, but how it fares against America's darling in this segment, the Tesla Model S, remains to be seen.