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A New Benchmark for Electric Luxury

Charlie Cooksey travels to Lisbon, Portugal, to drive the all-new BMW 5 Series

The new fully electric BMW 5 Series is a landmark car for the German automaker, representing its first fully electric offering in the midsize luxury sedan segment.

The i5, as it is known, is based on the latest 5 Series platform and offers a similar level of performance, luxury, and technology, but with the added benefit of zero emissions.

I’m pretty well acquainted with EVs by now. With BMW alone, I’ve driven almost the entirety of their electric range, including the iX, i4, i7, and now the i5 in different corners of the planet, on different roads – from Florida to the French Riviera and Palm Springs, California.

Being among the first in the world to drive this car meant heading to Lisbon, Portugal. BMW obviously likes to showcase their new models in this beautiful part of Europe and I’ve been lucky to visit here before for other BMW events in 2018 and 2019, for the 3 Series and 7 & 8 Series launches respectively.

It’s a sign of the times that BMW decided to lead the global launch of the 5 Series with the electric version, a clear statement of their focus on progressing as an EV market leader.

BMW claim that the 5 Series perfectly combines the comfort of a 7 Series with the sportiness of a 3 Series. Overall, it’s a sleek and stylish sedan that looks both sporty and sophisticated.

This is the 8th generation of the 5 Series. Rich in history, it was interesting to watch a nostalgic compilation of video archives of each generation dating back to 1972.

First impressions upon seeing the car – it’s a good-looking piece of kit. There’s certainly been a refresh on the overall look and style, but nothing quite as drastic as I saw with the new 7 Series last year.

BMW’s strategy for their electrified range differs from most other brands – the electric version of their products is almost identical to the ICE (internal combustion engine) version and shares much of its design with the petrol-powered 5 Series, but there are a few key differences.

The grille is now closed off, and the front bumper has been redesigned to improve aerodynamics. There are also blue accents throughout the car to signify its electric nature.

BMW’s designers have worked wonders on the interior. Minimalist, comfortable, totally practical and looks the business. There’s lots of space and functional compartments, a large wireless charging pad for two devices, a big padded armrest, clean designed centre console with a crystal gear selector, an infotainment system controller, driving mode haptic buttons, a massive 14.9-inch central touch screen with Apple carplay and android auto, and digital dash display.

The air conditioning controls are now on the touchscreen, rather than having separate physical buttons and dials. This can be a bit cumbersome to use while driving.

The cabin is spacious, with high-quality materials and finishes throughout. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the rear seats offer plenty of legroom and headroom. Oh, and the i5 comes as standard with a completely vegan interior. Yup, BMW calls it “Veganza upholstery”. Had I not been told that I would have just assumed it was genuine leather.

Some of the i5’s most desirable features, such as the Harman Kardon sound system and the panoramic sunroof, are optional, so be sure to factor in the cost of these options when budgeting for your purchase.

So, how does it drive? I found it a lot of fun, while refined, as I was hurtling around the coastal roads and bends outside of Lisbon. Also, the i5 comes standard with all-wheel drive, which gives excellent traction.

On the first day, I drove the entry-level i5 eDrive40 which will do 0-100 in an impressive 5.7 seconds with 335 horsepower.

On the second day, I had the i5 M60 which is basically the i5 on steroids. It has a more muscular and aggressive look with a blacked-out grille that lights up. It looks seriously cool, especially lit up in the dark. There are also sportier seats and all the usual M trimmings including logo placement around the vehicle, badges, stitching, and special colours.

This i5 M60 will launch you 0-100 with 593bhp in just 3.8 seconds, putting you not far from Italian supercar territory. There is a “boost” shift paddle on the wheel, which triggers maximum acceleration and provides a spaceship-like noise.

I had a tremendous experience and a lot of fun in Portugal with the new 5 Series. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – for me personally, I’ve gone from having no interest in EVs to developing a real appreciation the more I drive them.

BMW is taking EVs seriously and are without a doubt knocking out amongst the best in the market, but for sure, they’re coming with a larger price tag. Prices for the new 5 Series in Bahrain start from BHD 31,000 for the petrol version and starting from BHD 40,000 for the electric version.

Overall, this is an impressive car that offers the performance and luxury of a BMW 5 Series, with the added benefit of zero emissions.

The new 5 Series is an important car for BMW and a chance for them to remain a leader of luxury sedans in a highly competitive market.

To arrange your own test drive in Bahrain, contact +973 1775 0750

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