Overview
The BMW i5 M60 sits at the top of the electric 5 Series line-up, bridging the gap between traditional executive luxury and the high-performance of BMW's M division. Serving as a spiritual, fully electric sibling to the legendary M5, it enters a highly competitive executive EV market against rivals like the Mercedes-AMG EQE and Audi e-tron GT. Positioned as a premium dual-motor performance flagship, the i5 M60 caters to those wanting supercar acceleration and long-distance refinement.
Design
BMW has taken a noticeably more conservative and traditional approach. It retains the classic, muscular three-box saloon proportions of the traditional 5 Series. The front is dominated by a blanked-off M-specific kidney grille featuring the 'Iconic Glow' lights, which illuminates the perimeter of the grille at night. As the performance model, it gains aggressive visual upgrades including high-gloss black M door mirror caps, an M rear spoiler to increase downforce, deeper front air intakes, and 20-inch M aerodynamic alloy wheels hiding M Sport brakes with striking red calipers.
Interior
The cabin is high-tech and premium, borrowing lots from the i7. The dashboard is dominated by the massive BMW Curved Display, which combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen running the latest iDrive operating system. The BMW Interaction Bar, a dynamic ambient lighting element that responds visually to different drive modes and incoming alerts, sits upfront. Driver and passengers are held by supportive sports seats wrapped in eco-conscious Veganza faux-leather, and a M leather steering wheel with a red 12 o'clock marker and stainless-steel pedal covers. The premium cabin is further elevated by standard-fit, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system delivering 655W of power.
Performance & Powertrains
The mechanical heart of the i5 M60 consists of a twin-motor setup delivering an immense 601 horsepower and up to 795 Nm of torque sent to all four wheels via the xDrive system. This allows the heavy saloon to rocket from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds, with an electronically-limited top speed of 143 mph. A prominent red-accented Boost paddle sits behind the left side of the steering wheel; activating a 10-second countdown on the driver display, priming the powertrain for maximum thrust while emitting a synthetic Iconic Sounds soundtrack from Hans Zimmer. Energy is drawn from an 84kWh battery, with the range sitting at 315 miles on a full charge. When it comes to charging, the i5 M60 features 205kW DC rapid charging, allowing a 10% to 80% top-up in approximately 30 minutes. BMW equips the M60 as standard with Adaptive M Suspension Professional, a 5mm lowered ride height, and rear-wheel steering.
Practicality
Because the flexible CLAR platform was engineered to house electric components without compromising cabin space, the i5 M60 offers excellent passenger accommodation with plenty of legroom and headroom in the rear for two tall adults. Storage throughout the cabin is well thought out, with deep door bins, a central cubby, and a dedicated wireless charging tray. At the back, the saloon body provides a 490-litre boot. It remains highly usable, further enhanced by a standard 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat configuration that can fold flat for carrying longer items.
Buying
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive starts from £97,745 before options, positioning it at a significant premium over the standard i5 models. The specification is very generous, the adaptive suspension, premium audio, and electric heated sports seats all come standard. The EV Hub recommended configuration is the M60 but avoiding pushing the vehicle past £100,000. Stick with the Veganza interior and the stock 20-inch aerodynamic wheels, which help preserve ride comfort and driving range.