LIGHT SPEED

The i5 is the latest entrant to BMW's electric sedan portfolio, and with 601 bhp on tap, it sits firmly in high-performance territory. The newest addition to BMW's 5 Series lineup claims that it blends performance, traditional luxury and state-of-the-art electric power, so it was incumbent upon us to verify this. Starting at ₹1.20 crore in India, the i5 makes a statement with its forward-thinking design and delivers some jaw-dropping performance.
The car we got from BMW was an i5 M60 xDrive in a striking all-black spec, exuding a menacing presence reminiscent of Darth Vader's own ride. The colour emphasises the car's athletic stance and hides its bulk well, giving it an elegant, streamlined appearance.
The signature kidney grilles take a modern twist, framed by glowing LED surrounds that light up with a futuristic sequence when the car is unlocked. This eye-catching feature sets the i5 apart as an electric model, signifying its advanced tech without being over the top. The profile retains a classic sedan silhouette with a refined, three-box shape, while the rear sports sleek, minimalist tail lamps that enhance the car's futuristic aesthetic. The 20-inch high-gloss black M alloy wheels complement the aggressive look, although a larger size would better match its muscular frame.
M–specific elements, such as flared side skirts, diffusers, and high–gloss inserts, add a sporty touch to the M60 xDrive trim.
BMW has opted for traditional door handles, a subtle nod to classic design amidst the influx of pop–out mechanisms in modern EVs. Inside, the cabin showcases a 14.9–inch curved infotainment display paired with a 12.3–inch digital instrument cluster, seamlessly integrated for a cohesive driver experience. The displays run on BMW’s latest iDrive OS 8.5, offering intuitive navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings. Driver aids, including partially autonomous parking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring, are standard.
Denne historien er fra December 2024-utgaven av Motoring World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 2024-utgaven av Motoring World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9500+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på

WELL BEGUN
OUR ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 650 GETS OFF TO A GOAN START. CLASSIC, EH?
SPEED OF THE RACE
Speed. A concept invented so humanity could measure the rate of its own staggering progress.

EXCLUSIVELY EFFICIENT
A TECH-LADEN, ULTRA-LUXURIOUS ELECTRIC FLAGSHIP THAT MAKES RANGE ANXIETY IRRELEVANT

THE ROCKET ROUTE (PART 1)
A pair of rockets — the VW Taigun and Virtus — go chasing rockets in an unprecedented drive across southern India!

MR. BIG
In an electrified world, driving a Ford F-150 Raptor is a guilty pleasure — with the emphasis squarely on pleasure

ELECTRIFYING INTENT
With the e VITARA leading the charge, Partho Banerjee of Maruti Suzuki outlines the brand's bold EV strategy — anchored in infrastructure, innovation, and India-first manufacturing

EXTRA HUSTLE
BE IT THE DAILY COMMUTE OR LONG SHOOT DAYS, THE HYUNDAI EXTER TACKLES IT ALL

THE VISIONARY
The Skoda Kodiaq redefines the rules of the family luxury SUV game-in simply clever ways, of course

SEGMENT BUSTER
The Kia EV9 costs over a crore of rupees. Thing is, that makes sense

RETRO JAB
Boxer soul and dirt shoes — BMW Motorrad builds the perfect successor to the R 80 G/S