In the US, BMW sells the X5 four times more than the 5 series in 2022, but the low-slung mid-size luxury car is still an important product for the German company.

Both series 5 and i5 only differ in the powertrain.

Meanwhile, the i5 eDrive 40 with a rear-mounted electric motor costs from 66,800 USD, and is 84,100 USD for the xDrive M60 version using two electric motors, 4-wheel drive.

BMW i5 eDrive 40 has a capacity of 335 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-97 km/h in 5.7 seconds.

BMW i5 – the first electric version of series 5. Photo: BMW

Both electric versions have a heat pump system, the same 84.3 kWh battery pack under the floor, and 11 kW AC or 205 kW DC charging.

The difference in the two electric versions is the journey per charge: the eDrive 40 version with a weight of 2,230 kg and 19-inch rims can go 475 km, while the M60 version weighing 2,380 kg also with 19-inch rims is 412 km.

However, the i5 can run even more than the numbers above with Max Range mode to optimize battery efficiency by turning off the air conditioning system, seat heating and cooling, and even turning off the ignition.

The gasoline engine is a 2-liter, 4-cylinder on the 530i and 530i xDrive with 255 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque.

Also compared to the old generation, both the i5 and the new 5 series are slightly better in length, increasing by 86.4 mm, reaching 5,060 mm.

BMW describes the new generation 5 series as `more trendy and elegant than the 3 series, more dynamic and sporty than the 7 series`.

The new generation 5 Series will have both gasoline engine, pure electric and plug-in hybrid versions.

The vehicle’s display system has been upgraded, with a 12.3-inch clock and a 14.9-inch multimedia screen, alongside the latest iDrive 8.5 operating system.

In addition to the latest operating system, the new 5 series also has a series of outstanding technologies, from access to the AirConsole platform that allows passengers to download and play games, even when the car is stationary.

The Series 5 also has another option: highway driving assistance technology, which allows the driver to release both hands from the steering wheel at speeds up to 137 km/h and even change lanes according to the driver’s direction of sight.

The rest are settings focused on driving experience.

BMW said it will launch the new 5 series on the global market from next October, while the 6-cylinder engine version will only start production from November.