BMW i5 Electric Five Series Car Review In Malaysia

February 26, 2024

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This BMW i5 is a 5 Series without a petrol engine and instead its battery powered

Question? What makes driving a BMW so special? In our books, it’s the 6 or 8-cylinder petrol engines and its handling on the limit. From the humble E21 to the most recent 2017 F90 BMW M5, it has been engine and handling technology that has made BMW world famous and a car that select old car collectors will ‘bend over’ backwards to keep running.

Today, North America and most of Europe want clean air, clean factories on the lands and so they have initiated a global movement to get as many people ‘wanting’ an emissions free car which is made in ‘foul’ factories far far far away in South America, Africa and Asia.

These ‘clean emissions’ cars or ‘electric vehicles’ are being ‘forced down the throat of buyers with the ‘slogan’ its all because of ‘climate change’.

Meanwhile, the ‘love’ of driving a BMW is slowly being replaced with fancy cabin features and clever marketing and BMW is not alone as all European car manufacturers are in the same boat, including Ferrari.

All the big car manufacturers are following the ‘call to action’ and so we have more and more electric cars coming to car showrooms. One such car is this all new 5 Series, the i5 which is a full electric BMW.

After a weekend with the i5 it was clear that BMW engineers have tried hard, very hard to ensure a previous F10 owner will be ‘happy’ to trade up to this i5. But are we happy? Will we buy one?

First thing you will notice is it is larger than the outgoing 5 Series. This BMW i5 measures 5,060mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,515mm in height, while its wheelbase measures 2,995mm. Compared to its predecessor, this is an increase of 97mm in length, 32mm in width, 36mm in height and 20mm in wheelbase. As for the boot space, the BMW i5 provides 490 litres of capacity, providing optimum capacity for storage.

This i5 gets the classic Hofmeister kink, a signature of the BMW 5 Series which transitions smoothly to the rear, giving the premium sedan the alluring appearance and then you get 21-inch BMW Individual aerodynamic 954 wheels in Jet Black Bicolour for added heft.

Interestingly, this i5 carries the ‘M’ badge all over and so an aerodynamic front apron, muscular side skirts and a rear apron with an eye-catching diffuser is added for visual appeal.

Open the door and you meet the BMW Curved Display at the center stage, marrying a 12.3-inch instrument panel with a 14.9-inch touchscreen Control Display.

The illuminated BMW Interaction Bar, which was first introduced in the All-Electric BMW i7, stretches elegantly across the dashboard with Ambient Lighting.

Setting luxurious highlights to the interior is the glass application Crafted Clarity with polished glass crystal elements, while the Dark Silver M accent combined with Aluminium Rhombicle adds a sophisticated finishing touch to the cabin.

Wireless charging is available on the charging tray which ensures your devices stay ready for your journeys that lie ahead, while the iDrive Controller and center console elements have been thoughtfully redesigned to enhance its technological elements while retaining its user-friendly characteristics.

You also get a Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System, boasting 18 speakers and an amplifier output of 655 Watts. This delivers an exceptional acoustic journey, enveloping passengers in crystal-clear sound from every angle.

So, for the asking price of RM419,800 what kind of driving performance do you get? This i5 delivers 340 horsepower and 430Nm of torque to get a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.0 seconds whilst providing a possible 582 kilometers of driving range.

Additionally, BMW engineers have included the innovative Max Range function, which enhances efficiency by 25 percent through comfort function deactivation and adjustments to the power and speed limitations.

So, it is a high-voltage battery situated in the underbody, which boasts an optimal battery capacity of 83.9kWh for this performance. No petrol engine or turbocharger at work.

When you do buy this i5 you will get acquainted with all the great technology features provided inside as it is too long to mention here. You can read about it HERE.

Ignite the ‘motor’ and only a silent murmur can be heard. Click the crystal gear-knob into drive and the i5 glides along with only the 21-inch wide rubbers sending a mild signal to the cabin. Yes, with the windows down you just hear the wide tyres crunching the fallen driveway leaves as you make your way.

On the open road, this electric BMW does not disappoint as the power delivery is instant and without any hesitation. The sheer size of the car might worry you as its hustles along faster than you brain can compute. You need a few days to get acquainted with the mid-power delivery and its steadfast handling.

Rear passenger comfort is great for 2 adults and just nice if there are 3 adults. Yes, it is larger car over its outgoing petrol powered sibling but the cabin seems about the same size.

Available in four distinct colours: Black Sapphire Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Brooklyn Grey Metallic and Phytonic Blue Metallic, the i5 eDrive40 is currently available in all BMW dealerships with a rather attractive price tag of RM419,800.00.

With the Easy Drive Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia too, this all-electric sedan can be had a monthly instalment plan starting from RM4,855.00 (based on 5-year Easy Drive plan with a mileage of 100,000 km at 80 percent loan amount).

Additionally, prospective owners can also benefit from a RM10,000 Easy Drive Cash Rebate upon registering for the Easy Drive Financing, allowing a monthly instalment plan starting from RM4,677.00.

So, will we buy it? Well, it’s a great package with handsome looks, but we will wait a little bit longer for a lighter battery pack with 800 kilometers driving distance to part with our money.