BMW introduces a 5-series electric sedan with a range of almost 300 miles

BMW brings electrification to the 5 Series. The German company announced this week that the eighth-generation sedan that slots between the 3 Series and 7 Series will come as an electric version, the i5, as well as an updated gas equivalent.

As with the 4 Series and 7 Series, BMW is taking its gas-powered models and releasing electric variants built on the same platform.

The electric 5 Series comes in two trim levels: the i5 eDrive40, with rear-wheel drive, 335 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque; and the sporty i5 M60 xDrive, with all-wheel drive, 601 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque.

The eDrive40 version jumps from 0 to 100 km/h in six seconds, while the M60 trim bridges the gap in just 3.8 seconds. Both versions are electronically limited to 200 km/h.

An 81.2kWh battery pack will propel the i5 to a range of up to 516km (320 miles) based on the less conservative WLTP standard. And for charging, BMW is partnering with Volkswagen’s Electrify America to offer unlimited fast charging for up to 30 minutes for two years. The i5 can accept up to 205kW of fast charging, allowing the battery to go from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes.

The electric 5 Series will be one of the first to feature BMW’s new hands-free highway driving features. The car can also suggest a lane change, which the driver can confirm by checking the door mirror.

BMW has redesigned its infotainment system in the 5 Series to include in-car gaming for the first time. A number of games can be accessed while the vehicle is parked, helping to pass the time while charging, for example. Video streaming will also be available for parked cars.

The signature kidney grille is slightly more toned down compared to the awkward i7 and iX, but still unabashedly in your face. The grille has become a bit of a polarizing design choice, especially in the EV era where airflow is less important, but BMW isn’t shying away from this signature styling.

Overall, the i5 is a bit more conservative in terms of design and technology than the more lavish i7. I mean, how do you top a 31-inch, 8K flip-down movie screen for rear passengers?

But with a starting price of $67,795, the i5 is still definitely a premium vehicle. It is not eligible for the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, which limit eligible prizes to $55,000. Nor will the more powerful (and more expensive) M5 version of the i5, which starts at $85,095.