Group expanding electric range
BMW New Zealand has announced it will soon be expanding its fully electric line-up with the marque’s first i5 M60 xDrive Touring confirmed for to arrive here for customer deliveries in the third quarter of this year.
The zero-emissions model headlines the sixth generation BMW 5 Series Touring range, which had its world premiere on February 7, and means BMW NZ will offer 15 variants across seven fully electric models in its product portfolio.
Compared with its predecessor, the new BMW 5 Series Touring is 97mm longer at 5,060mm, 32mm wider at 1,900mm and 17mm higher at 1,515mm. It also has the longest wheelbase in its class, increasing by 20mm to 2,995mm.
The model’s grille features BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting, which is a standard feature on New Zealand-specification vehicles.
It comes in three BMW individual paint finishes and standard equipment includes 20-inch M alloy wheels, although consumers can select 21-inch versions at no extra cost.
Inside the vehicle is the BMW Curved Display with 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display screens for a fully digital display set-up, and sports seats are fitted as standard.
The i5 M60 xDrive Touring includes merino leather upholstery, a panoramic glass roof and a 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.
A wider luggage compartment opening combined with a low sill makes it easy to stow large items of luggage. Every variant of the new BMW 5 Series Touring has a luggage capacity that can be expanded from 570 litres up to 1,700l.
Powering the i5 M60 xDrive Touring are two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles, which together form an electric all-wheel drive with up to 442kW. With M Launch Control or M Sport Boost activated, the system torque is increased to 820Nm.
The top model accelerates from 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds and its top speed is electronically limited to 230kph.
Meanwhile, the high-voltage battery located in the underbody has a gross energy content of 84kWh and the car has a WLTP testing range rated at up to 506km.
Other standard features include M Sport Suspension, the M Sport braking system and adaptive chassis professional with electronically controlled shock absorbers, integral active steering and new lateral dynamics management.
A range of technology delivers driving assistant professional, which includes steering and lane control assist and distance control with stop-and-go function.
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive also boasts parking assistant professional, which incorporates additional sensor assistance from four surround-view cameras and ultrasonic sensors, enabling semi-automatic driving functions.
Automated parking and manoeuvring up to 200 metres can also be controlled from outside the car using a smartphone.
Pricing will be announced in the lead up to the launch later this year.
