autoX Awards 2024: When BMW slaps its ‘M’ moniker on an EV, you know things are about to get a wee bit serious and a heck of a lot faster. Electric vehicles, as we have come to expect by now, are one-dimensional in terms of providing thrills – ridiculously fast in a straight line, but, then, that’s where the story ends. The i5 M60, on the other hand…holy hell, it’s something!
Let’s start with some numbers – 593bhp, 795Nm, and a 0 – 100km/h time of 3.8 seconds. However, despite those astonishing figures, nothing quite prepares you for the kind of assault it launches on your senses as you take the wheel. Plant your right foot on the A-pedal and watch the world around you warp. The performance is breathtaking in every sense of the term.
That’s the story with every fast EV, though, one could argue. What sets the i5 apart is that ‘M’ badge. BMW’s revered motorsports division has sprinkled its magic on the i5, and how! Be it the heft or precision of the steering, the pointy front end, the road-holding, or absorbent ride quality, the i5 M60 is a stellar driving machine. It has all the virtues of an M car despite featuring an EV drivetrain. Dare we say, it’s the best electric M that we have ever driven!
That said, when you’re pushing it to the absolute limit, there are only so many laws of physics that it can bend. Its EV underpinnings and heavyweight construction hampers it from posting a faster lap time. The chassis is communicative, but it doesn’t feel as progressive or entertaining as the regular 5 Series. Perhaps its fat tyres and AWD setup are to be blamed. The electronics, too, don’t allow any kind of slip, so feathering the throttle midway through a corner only results in a loss of power. Sure, the AWD system is still rear-biased, but the i5 doesn’t quite feel as playful as a BMW sedan should. Try to manhandle it, and watch it quickly bite you back!
Also Read: BMW 5 Series LWB 530Li Review, Winning the Battle of Luxury Sedans in India Even Before it Begins?
All told, it’s still a brilliantly exciting EV. However, it feels more suited for Autobahn-like high-speed runs on the road than the racetrack. Plus, with all the gadgets and opulence it offers inside, the i5 makes for a damn good high-performance luxury sedan.
- BMW i5 (Lap Time: 1.08.78)
| PARAMETERS | POINTS | SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| QUALITY | 5 | 4.5 |
| COMFORT / SPACE | 5 | 3.5 |
| REFINEMENT | 5 | 5 |
| DESIGN | 5 | 3.5 |
| DRIVETRAIN | 5 | 5 |
| RIDE & HANDLING | 5 | 4 |
| PRACTICALITY | 5 | 3.5 |
| X FACTOR | 20 | 12 |
| LAP TIME | 15 | 10.6 |
| VALUE FOR MONEY | 30 | 11 |
| TOTAL | 100 | 62.6 |
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