2023 BMW i5 detailed: Svelte sedan to touch down in Australia with two all-electric variants

The eighth-generation BMW 5 Series will touch down in Australia with two all-electric variants — and just a single petrol-powered model — with the German brand literally doubling-down on its EV future.

In fact, even the petrol-powered 520i arrives with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, but let’s focus on the true EVs, which take the shape of the i5 eDrive40 and i5 M60 xDrive.

The range will open with the eDrive40, which is a rear-drive proposition, with a rear-mounted electric motor producing a total 250kW and 430Nm, though those are the maximum figures accessed when using the Sport Boost or Launch Control functions.

BMW says it will launch to 100km/h in 6.0secs, and push on to a flying top speed of 193km/h. It’s fitted with a 84kWh battery, producing a claimed driving range of 582 kilometres.

The flagship EV is the M60 xDrive, which arrives with front and rear motors, delivering both all-wheel drive and a total 442kW of power and 820Nm of torque (again when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control functions are activated).

BMW says 100km/h will whip by in 3.8 seconds, and your top speed climbs to 230km/h. It’s fitted with the same battery as the eDrive40, but drains more power, reducing your claimed driving range to 516 kilometres.

And in a range-anxiety curing innovation, BMW says a new MAX RANGE system can increase your posted range by up to 25 per cent, essentially limiting the power and killing the in-cabin comfort features to preserve battery charge.

When it does come time to charge, BMW’s electric twins are set up for 22kW AC charging (meaning anything from a normal plug to a three-phase system will work), or 205kW DC charging.

BMW says that an appropriate fast charger will take you 10 to 80 per cent charged in around 30 minutes, and you get a five-year Chargefox subscription with purchase.

In a Tesla-rivalling move, the BMW i5 also features in-car gaming and video streaming (but only when parked), to help “bridge waiting times while charging”.

The BMW i5 will launch in Australia later this year, with pricing to be confirmed closer to launch.