Review: All positive Points of new BMW i5 M60
The new BMW i5 M60 initially arrives in a single version for R$759,950, a price that is just above its main rival, the Mercedes-Benz EQE, currently sold for R$707,900. Now let’s evaluate the i5 M60 in this first contact and point out what its positive points are and what it needs to improve.
BMW i5 M60 – Positive points
1. Super sports car strength
With more than 5 meters in length and 2.2 tonnes in weight, it is even bizarre to understand how strong the BMW i5 M60 accelerates. It takes just 3.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, a number that until recently belonged to a select group of super sports cars, but no, if you have that today in an electric sedan that can be used on a daily basis, from home to work, going to the supermarket or picking up the children from school.
The M60 version is the strongest in the range with its package from the BMW Motorsport sports division (abroad there is also the i5 eDrive40 with 340 hp) and features two electric motors, one on each axle, to deliver no less than 601 hp of power. and 83.6 kgfm of torque. These numbers are in Boost mode for 10 seconds, since in practice the sedan has 517 hp and 81.07 kgfm, which is still not too little. In practice, the sedan works like an all-wheel drive car and, without a doubt, brings a lot of fun behind the wheel.
2. Stability
Without a doubt, BMW did another remarkable job when it comes to the suspension. The i5 M60 is no different, as the electric sedan boasts an adaptive suspension that reads the road very well, with stabilizer bars that no longer decouple and air pockets at the rear that are located in the shock absorber tower (without being separated). ). All of this sums up how good the i5 is to drive and also the safety it provides due to its absurd stability.
The jargon of appearing to “walk on rails” fits it very well, attacking curves calmly like a good hot hatch, practically ignoring its dimensions and weight as an American SUV. On these occasions, the suspension compensates for the opposite side of the curve and levels the body at the tightest angles, leaving minimal oscillation. The brain even seems to go into disarray because the sedan goes against physics.
3. Comfort
It may seem like rain in the wet, but the BMW i5 M60 brings surprising comfort to an electric sedan with a sporting vocation. Of course, an executive sedan like this that costs more than R$700,000 must have plenty of comfort, but the German brand’s model takes this to a high level.
Despite having 20-inch wheels shod with 235/40 tires at the front and 235/35 at the rear, the i5 has an above-average ride smoothness, even when driving on bumpy roads (but still be careful not to cause damage to the beautiful wheels). The secret is in the suspension, which has an adaptive system and rear air suspension with automatic leveling to make the sedan more comfortable.
4. Augmented Reality GPS
Equipped with a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 14.9-inch multimedia center, the i5 M60 is packed with technology, so much so that it already comes with the iDrive 8.5 system (the same as the i7 M70). But what really caught our attention was the camera that shows what happens in front of the car when you drive, which provides great definition and also provides augmented reality with GPS.
For example: when you need to turn left onto the next street, a graphic will overlay the image of the road on the panel display directing you in that direction, as if it were a racing game. BMW took “gamification” seriously here.
5. Adaptive cruise control
Another essential piece of equipment in today’s cars is the so-called adaptive cruise control, which is also appearing in more affordable cars on the market. However, in the premium market this feature is on another level and, in the case of BMW, it has undoubtedly already surpassed Volvo’s famous system (which is still very good). In addition to working smoothly and progressively when activated, the ACC has a stop and go function in traffic where the driver does not need to step on the accelerator when the car in front moves, as the i5 resumes movement on its own.
It is worth noting that even when deactivated, the adaptive cruise control brakes the car smoothly on its own, even when changing lanes. It’s so subtle that it feels like another driver is driving for you.
6. Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is another highlight and directly influences acoustic insulation. Proof of this is that even at higher speeds you can’t even hear the noise of the wind passing through the roof or in the mirrors (which have an aerodynamic design). In fact, BMW placed door handles built into the sedan to promote wind flow as well, something that directly influences more efficient energy consumption. The active grille at the front of the car also does its part in this regard and as a result the sedan boasts an aerodynamic coefficient of just 0.23Cx.
7. Max Range System
The new BMW i5 M60 has an 81.5 kWh battery capacity, which guarantees a range of up to 390 kilometers according to Inmetro’s PBEV standard. However, here is the interesting Max Range system that extends the sedan’s range by up to 25%, something we use in practice and has proven its usefulness. But this cannot be done without taking away some comfort functions, such as reducing the maximum speed to 90km/h and turning off the air conditioning. It’s that ideal system for emergency situations that you don’t want to use.