BMW I5 442kW M60 xDrive 84kWh 5dr Auto [Ultimate Pack]

BMW offers ultimate i5 power with this M60 model. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

BMW's i5 lets rip in this top twin-motor AWD M60 eDrive form. There's a prodigious 601hp beneath your right foot at the wheel of one of these, but it's still not quite a full M-car. The M60 gets pretty close though - and looks a strong bet against its pricier, less involving Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 arch-rival.

Background

Those who know their fast BMW's will know that there are M - and Ms: full-fat M cars like the M2 and M3. And lesser 'M Performance' models which, though still fast, aren't quite as intensively motorsport M-developed. With the old seventh generation G30 5 Series, the M Performance model that sat below the ultimate M5 was an M550i twin turbo V8. It's a mark of the change in development to the current G60 MK8 'Five' that the M Performance variant in the range now doesn't have an engine at all. It's the all-electric model we look at here, the i5 M60 xDrive.

Driving Experience

There's no shortage of power here, the M60 propelled by a pair of motors respectively developing 261 and 340hp, energised by an 81.2kWh battery. The extra motor's added 175kgs of weight drops the EV range to 315 miles. Total output to all four wheels stands at a monster 601hp and 62mph from rest flashes by in just 3.8s en route to 142mph. Adaptive damping and all-wheel steering are standard-fit and as an option, you can add the brand's M- developed active anti-roll bars to reduce cornering roll. To keep over 2.2-tonnes in check at these kinds of speeds, you might need those. There are drive modes of course, though not all of the offered 'MyMode' settings have much to do with driving; choose from 'Personal', 'Sport', 'Efficient', 'Relaxed', 'Expressive' and 'Digital Art'. For this top i5, there's also a Hans Zimmer-curated IconicSounds driveline soundtrack; and screen-selectable energy recovery settings, though it's easiest simply to leave the system in its automatic 'Adaptive' mode. This i5 M60 also gains a 'Boost' function, operable via this red-highlighted left hand steering wheel paddle. Pull it back for maximum thrust, at which point the dash lights up, the soundtrack goes spooky and you're simply hurled at the horizon.

Design and Build

This M60 xDrive i5 model has been developed in both saloon and Touring estate forms. Either way, it sets itself apart from an ordinary rear-driven i5 eDrive40 variant with 20-inch wheels in an 'M Aerodynamic' style and there are High-gloss black M mirror caps, along with Sun Protection glass. Inside, the M Leather steering wheel has a red accent and you get stainless steel-look M Pedal Covers and an M Anthractite headliner, plus there's a crystalline glass look for the BMW Interaction Bar. Like other 'Fives', the cabin's dominated by the curved screens of the brand's advanced 'BMW Live Cockpit Professional' media package, which comprises this 12.3-inch 'Digital Instrument Display' and the fascia's central 14.9-inch centre-dash 'Control Display'. Around the triple-layered dashboard, much is borrowed from the larger 'Seven', including the aforementioned 'BMW Interaction Bar', an ambient lighting strip across the fascia that wraps around into the doors. All this technology's impressive, but you might like us find yourself getting irritated by some of the buried screen menu functions and wishing sometimes for the instant accessibility of old fashioned switches and buttons. Pleasingly, given the kind of car this wants to be, you sit quite low and you're surrounded by stitched Veganza leather and exquisite detail touches like intricate speaker grilles and secondary controls that can be fashioned from cut glass. But it's not an interior likely to please a traditionalist. In the back, there's comfortable room for a couple of adults. And the boot is 490-litres - and extendable with a 40:20:40 split-folding rear backrest.

Market and Model

There's a choice of saloon or Touring body shapes. In saloon form, you'll need nearly £98,000 for this i5 M60 xDrive with 601hp, around £17,000 less than a rival Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ but £24,000 more than an equivalent version of BMW's lesser rear-driven i5 eDrive40 model. To help justify that in-house premium, this M60 xDrive i5 has its own bespoke 'M Performance' level of trim, largely based on the upgraded 'M Sport Pro'-spec you can get with that lesser model, but with a few updates, a number of which we've mentioned in our 'Design' section. In addition to those, you get 'Adaptive Suspension Professional' adaptive damping and rear wheel-turning 'Integral Active Steering'; and the BMW IconicSounds Electric drive sound package. And inside, there's four-zone Automatic Air Conditioning. As an option, you can add the 'Ultimate Pack', which is limited to this i5 M60 model - and includes, well, just about everything. The main feature is 'Adaptive M Suspension Professional', which adds Active Roll Stabilisation, deploying 48 volt electric swivel motors to ensure particularly fast and precise compensation of lateral inclination forces through tight bends. Otherwise, it's just the entire contents of all the four options packs you can add to the lesser i5 eDrive40, plus crystal-like 'Crafted Clarity' interior controls. For a little extra, you can add softer BMW Individual Merino Leather upholstery too.

Cost of Ownership

We gave you the i5 M60 xDrive's driving range figure in our driving section - up to 315 miles. This figure comes via an extremely slim high-voltage battery located low down in the vehicle floor and providing 81.2kWh of usable energy (quite a lot smaller than the 101.7kWh battery used in the larger i7). The heat pump technology used in the integrated heating and cooling system for the cabin and drive system helps boost efficiency, as does the adaptive or individually adjustable recuperation feature. The high-voltage battery is heated using a dedicated 5.5 kW electric flow heater. The Combined Charging Unit in the i5 M60 allows AC charging at a rate of up to 22kW (double that of the eDrive40), while DC power can be taken on board at a rate of up to 205kW. This allows for a 10-80% charge within 30 minutes. The 'BMW Charging' package comes as standard on the i5, which gives owners attractive kilowatt hour tariffs for AC and DC charging throughout the UK and Europe. The high-power charging network run by the BMW Group's joint venture IONITY also forms part of the BMW Charging network. Almost 16,000 charging points are included in the UK and Ireland, while the monthly fee for BMW Charging and IONITY is waived for the first 12 months for all retail customers.

Summary

Fitted here is more technology than a mid-sized BMW has ever seen. And M5-like levels of power, despite this being a lesser M Performance model. But you certainly pay for that and we're not really convinced that this M60 offers quite enough to justify its substantial price premium over the only slightly smaller and less rapid i4 M50 model that sits just below it in the fast section of BMW's EV range. But if you're going to think like that, you could also question whether an M60 was worth its big premium over the also quite rapid ordinary i5 eDrive40 model. If you like the idea of an M60, you'll already have decided that it is. And you'll be justifying purchase by reminding yourself of the huge saving it offers over this top EV 5 Series model's only really direct rival, the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+. If that justification is enough for you to write the big six- figure cheque required for this top EV 'Five', then there's lots to enjoy here.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Acoustic glazing

Heated windscreen washer jets

Automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlight

Electric front and rear windows with fingertip open/close + anti-trap facility and comfort closing function

Sun protection glass

Brakes

Dynamic brake control

Engine drag torque control

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electromechanical parking brake with automatic drive away release and auto hold function

Brake energy regeneration

Trailer stability control

Front and rear brake discs with interior ventilation

Brake assist

Hill start assist

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Cornering brake control (CBC)

Electronic brake force distribution

M Sport brake in high gloss red painted brake callipers with M designation

DSC - Dynamic Stability Control

PC iBrake PostCrash approach control warning with light braking function

Carpets/Rugs

Velour floormats

Communication

Personal e-SIM

Driver Aids

Front collision warning with brake intervention

BMW Iconic sounds electric

Power assisted steering

Left turn warning with brake function

Driver Convenience

Automatic tailgate operation

Driving Assistant Plus Preparation

Driver Information

Oil sensor for level and grade

BMW legal emergency call

On board computer inc. average speed, fuel consumption, liquid crystal Info display, journey computer, outside temperature display, personal profile

Powered by Operating System 7.0

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

Brake pad wear indicator

Run flat indicator

BMW Teleservices

Multifunctional instrument panel

On-board diagnosis - OBD

Service interval indicator

Driving Mirrors

Exterior mirrors with memory function and automatic parking function

Engine

Launch control

Entertainment

DAB tuner

Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system

Exterior Body Features

M high gloss shadow line with extended contents - Radiator grille frame, struts and strip in rear light

M rear spoiler

Body coloured bumpers

Rear side wing doors

Body colour door handles

Exterior Lights

Automatic cornering lights

Optimum, homogeneous illumination of the road

M light shadowline - Dark design of selected elements of the headlight and rear lights

LED third brake light

BMW selective beam

Headlight elements in blue

Light colour close to that of ordinary daylight

Dynamic brake lights with LED technology

LED daytime running lights

Adaptive LED Headlights

Follow me home headlight function

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Four zone automatic air conditioning

Interior Features

High-gloss black door switch cluster, power window switch and tailgate button on first and second row seat

3 spoke leather M steering wheel in BMW M specific design with M badge

M Sport pedal covers in stainless steel

Wireless charging tray

Armrest - front and rear integrated door trim, centre console includes storage compartment, rear centre includes 2 cupholders

Packs

Connected package professional - 5 Series/I5

M high gloss shadow line pack - 5 Series/ I5

M Sport exterior styling pack - 5 Series/I5

Expanded exterior mirror package - 5 series/I5

BMW Iconic glow kidney grille exterior package

Ambient lighting pack - 5 Series/I5

Safety

Locking of doors after driving off

3 rear three point seatbelts

Front head restraints with anti-whiplash

Head airbags for first and second row seats

Airbag deployment is controlled with respect to the intensity and scope

Acoustic protection for pedestrians

Side impact protection

Mechanical child proof lock on rear doors

Driver central airbag

Two tone horn

M seat belts

Active protection

Front and rear curtain airbags

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Driver and front passenger airbags

Crash sensor activating central locking release, hazard warning lights, fuel cut off and interior lighting

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Driver/front passenger side airbags

Seats

Rear headrests

Through loading system with 40/20/40 rear seat backrest split

Single front passenger seat

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Security

Locking wheel bolts including wheel bolt adapter

Alarm system

Vehicle Charging

AC charging cable professional (mode 3) for public charging

AC charging professional 22kW

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 2610

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 750

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7.4

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 255

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 22

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 30

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 205

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Battery Capacity in kWh: 83.9

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Low: 572

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Medium: 585

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - High: 552

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Extra High: 408

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 580

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 498

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 518

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 459

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Low: 15.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Medium: 15.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - High: 16.8

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Extra High: 23

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - City: 15.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 18.8

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 18.8

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 20

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - City: 3.9

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 3.3

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 3.1

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 3.5

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Extra High: 2.7

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - High: 3.7

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Low: 3.9

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Medium: 3.9

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Extra High: 253.5

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 360.4

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 309.4

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 285.2

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 321.9

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - High: 343

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Low: 355.4

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Medium: 363.5

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: N

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 81.2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 205

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: XE2A02N0

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: M60 [Ultimate]

Coin Description: xDrive

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Badge Power: 601

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.9

Top Speed: 143

Engine Power - BHP: 601

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 442

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 586

Engine Torque - NM: 795

Engine Torque - MKG: 81.1

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 245/40 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 275/35 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: AERODYNAMIC STYLE 940 M

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 5060

Width: 1900

Wheelbase: 2995

Width (including mirrors): 2156

Height: 1505

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 2350

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2960

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 610

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 570

No. of Seats: 5

Max. Roof Load: 100

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1700

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.9

Embellishment Trims

Dark Silver M accent combined with Carbon fibre and high gloss silver threads - dash & door

BMW Individual Silver Bronze accent combined with fine wood trim Fineline, open pored - dash & door

BMW Individual silver bronze accent combined with fine wood trim Fineline, open pored and silver bronze inlay - dash & door

Dark silver accent combined with fine wood trim dark oak high gloss - dash & door

Dark silver accent combined with open pored fine wood trim grey blue ash - dash & door

Exterior Body Features

Special BMW individual frozen metallic paint work

Additional BMW individual frozen metallic paint work

BMW Individual Metallic paint

Interior Features

M Alcantara anthracite headliner

Merino leather upholstery

BMW Individual merino leather upholstery

Packs

Ultimate pack with M multifunction seats - I5 M60 Touring

M carbon exterior pack - 5 Series/I5 without M Carbon rear spoiler

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Carbon black

Metallic - Cape york green

Metallic - Brooklyn grey

Metallic - Fire red

Metallic - Oxide grey

Metallic - Sophisto Grey Brilliant effect

Metallic - Phytonic blue

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Mineral white

Paint - Special

BMW Individual Metallic paint - Frozen pure grey

BMW Individual metallic paint - Frozen deep grey

BMW Individual metallic paint - Tanzanite blue

BMW Individual paint - Special request

BMW Individual metallic paint - Frozen portimao blue

BMW Individual paint special - Custom

Towing

Towbar

Trim - Leather

Merino leather - Black

BMW Individual Merino leather - Copper brown/Atlas grey

BMW Individual Merino leather - Black/Atlas grey

Trim - Part Leather

Perforated and Quilted Veganza leather - Smoke White

Perforated and Quilted Veganza leather - Espresso Brown

Perforated and Quilted Veganza leather - Black

Vehicle Charging

Mode 2 flexible charger

Wheels - Alloy

20" M light star spoke bicolour jet black alloy wheels - Style 938 M

20" M aerodynamic bicolour black grey alloy wheels - Style 939 M

21" BMW individual aerodynamic bicolour jet black alloy wheels - Style 954