The all-electric BMW i5 has been added to the company’s configurator and its starting price is pegged at R2,190,000.
The i5 is the flagship of the new 5 Series line-up and marks the first time that the sedan is available as a fully-electric vehicle (EV).
In South Africa, it is only available with one powertrain option, the M60, with the eDrive40 model reserved for other markets, BMW confirmed.
i5 specifications
The i5 M60 drives all four wheels courtesy of two electric motors that generate a combined 442kW and 795Nm, enabling the sedan to sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and achieve a limited top speed of 230km/h.
Powering these drive units is an 83.9kWh battery which affords a total driving range of 516km and boasts relatively fast charging times by today’s standards.
On an 11kW AC plug, the battery module replenishes 0-100% in four hours and 15 minutes, and on the maximum supported 205kW DC cable, it goes from 10-80% in as little as 30 minutes.
Despite being a weighty electric car, BMW has promised that the i5 would still “drive like an M” courtesy of adaptive suspension and standard rear-wheel steering which provides more agility when parking and manoeuvring, and more stability at high speeds.
The M Sport brake system with red calipers is also equipped for class-leading braking performance “even under heavy loads.”
As the headlining model of the 5 Series family, the i5 comes with a generous level of kit at no additional cost.
Prospective owners can expect the Iconic Glow kidney grille lighting, adaptive LED headlights, 19-inch light-alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, heated and electric front seats wrapped in Merino leather, four-zone climate control, an M leather steering wheel, automatic tailgate operation, a panoramic “skyroof”, ambient interior lighting, and a wireless charger.
The BMW Curved Display is also fitted, consisting of a 12.3-inch digital driver’s cluster with M-specific displays next to a 14.9-inch infotainment screen offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the latest news and weather forecasts, real-time traffic information, remote services such as cabin pre-conditioning via a smartphone app, and access to the ConnectedDrive app store.
There are several advanced assistance systems included, too, such as the parking and reversing assistant which enables semi-autonomous parking with minimal effort needed from the driver.
BMW i5
Keyword: New BMW i5 electric flagship – South African pricing and features