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By Jonathan Crouch

BMW fully electrifies its 5 Series with this i5 model. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 64

BMW's eighth generation G60 5 Series model's evolution is headlined by the incorporation of a fully-electric variant into the line-up, this car, the i5. It doesn't share the completely bespoke approach of its closest rival the Mercedes EQE. But it promises to be a more engaging driver's car and a rather different take on EV motoring for forward-thinking executives who don't want an SUV.

Backgroundword count: 196

It wasn't long ago that BMW's full-electric i range was dependent on a single model, the i3. But now that's gone, to be replaced by a whole portfolio of (unfortunately much pricier) models, with mainstream offerings based around the iX1 and iX3 SUVs and the mid-sized i4. In the luxury segment, BMW has the iX crossover, the i7 boardroom-level luxury saloon and, to slot directly under that latter model, this car, the i5. Lots of other BMW EVs are planned of course, as the i sub-brand gradually takes over the Munich maker's range. As the i5 badge suggests, this is an all-electric take on the eighth generation G60 design 5 Series. In other words, the fundamentals of this car's architecture weren't specifically designed for an EV, which immediately puts the i5 on the back foot against its most obvious rival, the bespoke-designed Mercedes EQE. But the CLAR platform in use here has been evolved very much with full-battery power in mind and the stats from its 81.2kWh battery certainly look class-competitive. Will it all be enough for this BMW to get a foothold in the fledgling sector for large executive models with EV power? Let's see.

Driving Experienceword count: 286

The i5 borrows its EV drivetrain from the only slightly smaller i4. And like that car is offered in two forms: the rear-driven eDrive40 with 340hp (62mph from rest in 6.0s en route 119mph) giving up to 356 miles of range. Or there's the four-wheel drive M60 xDrive we tried, which mates its stablemate's rear motor with an additional one at the front, creating a combined output of 601hp (so 0-62mph in 3.8s en route to 142mph, with up to 316 miles of range). So in both its forms, the i5 offers more than enough performance. But other large executive EV saloons costing this kind of money feel pretty quick in a straight line. Where this i5 should grab an advantage is when it comes to the twisty stuff. Yes, it's helped by the central battery placement's lower centre of gravity, but all electric vehicles offer something of that sort. With those other EVs though, that advantage is usually all-but cancelled out by the extra clunking battery weight they have to carry around. The i5 has this too, but its CLAR chassis is much better at dealing with it. And to that combustion-derived platform has been attached the 'lift-related' dampers and rear suspension refined over years in the brand's 3 Series model to a benchmark level of driver engagement. It's a recipe that should elevate this i5 to a segment-leading level of dynamic prowess. Firm M suspension is the standard ride set-up, which suggests a driver-orientated vibe. You can option that up to 'Adaptive Professional' suspension, which gives you adaptive dampers and rear wheel-turning 'Integral Active Steering'. The top set-up is 'Adaptive M Professional' (standard-fit on the M60), which combines rear-wheel steering with active roll stabilisation.

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