BMW i5 M60 Range And India Review

The i5 has not much competition given the pricing and the performance while it is a fast electric car for those who want something supercar fast but without the impracticality.

The i5 is the electric avatar of the 5 series and it is imported to India which means it is in short wheelbase form.

Source : Somnath Chatterjee

This is the rarer 5 series which you will spot less than the LWB as this is the imported i5 M60 electric sedan but at Rs 1.2 cr it is also the fastest 5 Series that you can get right now. The i5 is the electric avatar of the 5 series and it is imported to India which means it is in short wheelbase form. In M60 form, it looks much sportier and the shorter length makes it more of a sports sedan as well.

The blanked-off grille which is finished in high gloss looks mean and the huge 20-inch wheels add to the stance as well. Inside, there are a lot of M bits which remind you that it is the most powerful 5 series in India. There is a chunky flat bottomed starring wheel, sports seats, carbon trim, and much more.

It feels special and well built as a Rs 1 crore car but owing to its short wheelbase trim, the legroom is less than the LWB version but sufficient for 5 passengers. After all, this is a car you need to drive yourself. The power on offer is outrageous with 601 bhp from two electric motors along with AWS plus a large 83.9 kWh battery pack that promises 516km of range.

Performance is savage and it is very quick with instant acceleration but there is also some drama via the sounds which accompany the acceleration. Like some performance EVs, it has a sound to mimic that of an ICE car and that helps in being more fun than another fast EV. 100 kmph comes up in just 3.8 seconds and you have to be careful how quickly it gets up to speed.

Compared to the LWB version, the i5 is smaller and easier to drive but the handling is pure sports sedan with its grip and the way it disguises its weight. Sure, the ride is a bit firm but the i5 is complaint and feels in control of its power. The range though could have been more given the huge battery pack but performance has been given priority here.

The i5 has not much competition given the pricing and the performance while it is a fast electric car for those who want something supercar fast but without the impracticality. Being an import means it is expensive but is surely one of the fastest sedans you can get.

What we like- looks, performance, quality, handling

What we do not- expensive, range could be more