BMW i5

Inspired by the cabins of the other new-generation BMW offerings, the interior of the BMW i5 looks extremely modern and futuristic. BMW has effectively used colours for the artificial leather upholstery, trim levels, and ambient lighting, which further make the cabin look and feel even more vibrant and premium. 

The flat-bottom multi-functional steering wheel has gloss black touches for the spokes, and behind it sits a curved full-TFT cockpit, which accommodates the instrument console with multiple display modes and a new-generation touchscreen infotainment system. There is a unique-looking interaction bar between the dashboard and door panels that looks eye-catching with the innovative ambient lighting. This bar also has touch-based controls for automatic climate control and other functions. Adding more fanciness to the cabin is the 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system with a subwoofer and amplifier for a theatre-like sound experience

The BMW i5's lower centre console has an attractive-looking crystalline effect and houses the drive mode controller, electronic parking brake, and wireless charging pad. While the panoramic glass sunroof adds some sense of space, legroom and knee room continue to be restricted for taller people. 

The BMW i5 shares much of its looks with the regular eighth-generation 5-Series, which was launched alongside it, but with minute differentiating elements that give it an EV-specific appeal. 

At the front, the BMW i5 boasts the trademark double kidney grille with a closed design, satin silver surrounds, vertical closed slats, and surround lights with white illumination. The i5 shares its sleek and sweptback headlamps with Matrix LED lights and inverted L-shaped daytime running LEDs with the regular 5-Series.

The sleek and subtle look of the BMW i5 from the side is enhanced further by the large 19-inch alloy wheels, with the electric sedan also having old-school flap-type door handles and a gloss black finish for the window panels and B-Pillar. The rear profile, too, shares much with the regular 5-Series, including the new trapezoidal sleek LED tail lamps that grow wider towards their outer edges.

The suspension setup of the BMW i5, comprising a double wishbone at the front and multi-link with steel springs and hydraulic dampers at the rear, has been shared with the regular 5-Series sedan. To make the driving experience feel engaging, the BMW i5 comes with an adaptive M suspension Professional with electronically controlled dampers and air suspension at the rear. The near-actuator damping mechanism on both axles aids in making ride quality feel supple. 

The BMW i5 eDrive40 variant on sale in the Philippines has a single-motor setup paired with a single-speed automatic transmission. This rear-mounted electric motor produces 250 PS of maximum power and 400 Nm of maximum torque output. Capable of reaching the 100 kmph mark from a standstill in 6 seconds, the i5 eDrive04 has an electronically-restricted top speed of 193 kmph. The 81.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack offered as standard in the BMW i5 eDrive40 delivers an impressive range of 582 km.

The BMW i5 is packed with safety features like eight airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, traction control, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree parking camera and various ADAS features like forward collision mitigation with a cross-traffic warning, lane keep assistance, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning with automatic braking and front collision mitigation with left turn warning.

The BMW i5 feels every bit of a technological marvel, which looks appealing with its sophisticated styling and premium cabin while having the traditional BMW values in the finesse of performance and sheer driving pleasure.