BMW i5 production starts in Germany
The production of the BMW i5 is officially off to a good start, with the first units already rolling off the line at the BMW Group Plant in Dingolfing, Germany. The i5 deliveries in Europe will begin sometime in the fall, while the US customers will eventually get their hands on the Bavarian sedan before the end of this year.
The i5 sits between the i4 and i7 in the all-electric lineup. The i5 shares the sales spotlight with the identically designed, yet petrol-powered 5-Series. But let's face it; who wouldn't want an electric vehicle that doesn't compromise on performance?
Starting at a price point of $66,800 in the US, the i5 eDrive40 will be delivered to US customers with a rear-wheel drive, generating a commendable 340 horsepower and an EPA estimated range of up to 295 miles. For a few more dollars (okay, quite a few), buyers can spring for the i5 M60, which puts out a whopping 601 hp, zipping from 0 to 60 mph in a heart-stopping 3.7 seconds.
Along with impressive performance, the i5 is full of the latest tech. Central to the i5's interior are a grand 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, all powered by BMW's OS 8.5 software. In true futuristic style, owners can enjoy streaming services and play video games while parked, because why not?
Taking driver assistance to the next level, the i5 offers a hands-free package called the Driving Assistance Professional. With this system, owners can maneuver the highway hands-free at speeds up to 85 mph. And yes, it will even change lanes and automatically turn on indicators if the driver signals by looking at the rearview mirrors.
The Dingolfing plant, celebrating 50 years of automotive production in 2023, plans to achieve a 40% share of pure battery-electric vehicles next year as the company ramps up its EV goals.
The 5-series was always a performance benchmark that other automakers aspired to emulate. With it going all-electric, there's literally no point looking back, and once the 3-series follows in its footsteps, the EV age will truly be in our front yard.
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