BMW 15
Autocar UK|April 26, 2023
Engineers have tried to make electric saloon as similar to new 5 Series as possible
GREG KABLE
BMW 15

TESTED 19.4.23, MIRAMAS, FRANCE ON SALE SEPTEMBER

BMW wants to offer an electric variant of each of its traditional volume-sellers. So as a key part of the new eighth-generation 5 Series line-up, it has created the i5.

Project leader Andreas Holzinger says his team worked to four tenets: traditional design, contemporary digital functionality, a flexible drivetrain architecture and a balanced driving experience.

"We want to ensure that when you buy a 5 Series, you get a 5 Series," he says, "be that an EV or a more traditional ICE car. Our goal was to make them as similar as possible."

As such, it retains the 5 Series' traditional three-box silhouette, with a long bonnet, a relatively flat roofline and a sloping bootlid.

Holzinger confirms that, under its camouflage, the i5 shares its body with the ICE 5 Series, although there will, of course, be subtle visual differentiators, including the grille and more aerodynamic wheels.

Despite the covers inside, it's clear the i5 adopts a dashboard similar to the i7's, with a freestanding curved digital panel housing the driving and infotainment displays and a thick multifunction steering wheel.

It also receives the 8.5 version of BMW's iDrive operating system. Developments include capacity for over-the-air updates and, optionally, a hands-off lane-changing system.

The i5 sits on a new version of the Cluster Architecture used by the ICE 5 Series. Modifications include a new floorpan to house the 81kWh battery pack, which offers up to 321 miles of range and can be charged at 200kW by a DC charger. There is, however, still a transmission tunnel in the cabin, giving the i5 the same driving position as the 5 Series but also compromised rear-seat room.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 26, 2023 من Autocar UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 26, 2023 من Autocar UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

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