First debuting in 1972, the BMW 5 Series just recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. And while the 5 Series range has made incredible technological and mechanical leaps and bounds over its five decades in production, the model range has just been treated to what’s almost certainly its most noteworthy update or revision to date with the release of the 2023 BMW 5 Series lineup — a vehicle range that, for the first time, is now offered in multiple fully electric trim levels.
The new 5 Series is offered across 5 different trim levels, some of them with hybrid gas engines and some with fully electric powertrains. The electric models include the i5 eDrive40, which features a rear axle-mounted electric motor that makes 335hp and 295ft-lbs of torque — or up to 317ft-lbs when using Sport Boost or launch control. Electronically limited to 120mph, the i5 eDrive40 does 0-60 in 5.7 seconds while offering a range of 295 miles per charge. The new 5 Series lineup also comes loaded with tech and boasts features such as the world’s first-ever active lane change with eye activation and a highway assistant that allows for hands-free driving at up to 85mph.
At the top of the new 5 Series lineup — sitting above the 530i, 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and 540i xDrive— is the i5 M60 xDrive. At the heart of the BMW i5 M60 xDrive is a 590-hp dual-motor electric drivetrain with hallmark M Performance characteristics and up to 605ft-lbs of torque. Equipped with M Sport Boost and M Launch Control, this range-topper is capable of doing 0-60 runs in 3.7 seconds — all while delivering 256 miles of autonomy on a single charge. The i5 M60 xDrive’s top speed has also been electronically limited to 143mph (or 130mph when using all-season tires).
Slated for a launch in October of 2023, the 2024 BMW 5 Series range has been priced at $57,900 for the 530i, $60,200 for the 530i xDrive, $64,900 for the 540i xDrive, $66,800 for the i5 eDrive40, and $84,100 for the i5 M60 xDrive — plus a $995 destination and handling added to each MSRP.
