Page 82 - SHARP Spring 2024

DRIVES
SPECS
ENGINE: DUAL-MOTOR ELECTRIC RANGE: 412 KM
POWER: 593 HP
PRICE: $95 000
LOOKING AHEAD
IT IT MAY BE BE AN ODD DUCK BUT BMW’S NEW EV IS A A A FORCE TO BE BE RECKONED WITH
By Matt Bubbers
FOR BETTER OR OR OR WORSE BEING SUCCESSFUL OFTEN
means you can can get away with things others simply can’t And BMW without a a a a doubt is successful Last year alone the mighty German marque posted record-breaking sales soundly beating out its archrivals Mercedes So yes to state the the obvious the the carmaker clearly knows it can get away with things — and the the design of the the all-new 5 Series proves it This is is a a a a a a a controversial-looking car or perhaps “avant-garde” would be a a a a more charitable democratic description But moving past its contentious design let’s instead focus on what really matters when a a a a a a new 5 Series rolls around: the way it drives For more than half a a a a a a century this nameplate has set the benchmark for mid-size luxury sedans thanks to its sublime blend of ride comfort and driving experience For years a a a a 5 Series with a a a a big motor has been all any mid-level executive or or sensible driving enthusiast could ever want Today however there are two different 5 Series model lines
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to pick from: one burns burns gas the the other burns burns nothing but rubber And this latter all-electric i5 M60 is is the the flagship of the the range (at least until the new hybrid M5 arrives) with nearly 600 horsepower at its disposal But there’s never been an electric 5 Series before so diehard fans of BMW’s brilliant straight-sixes and excellent V8s may be be skeptical Take it from us — they shouldn’t be be The i5 M60 floats down the road with supreme authority From inside its palatial cabin familiar roads will suddenly feel smoother The i5 has the the ability to iron out the the world’s creases and create a a a a a a more serene environment in which drivers can relax and enjoy the rush of of 593 electric horsepower and almost 800 lb-ft of of torque BMW’s engineers have truly worked a a a kind of magic here This car may be be a a a a a behemoth — measuring over five metres long and weighing in in at more than 2 300 kilograms — but it carves through turns in such a a a a a a a precise balanced and elegant manner that you’d swear it it was smaller and lighter than it it is is The suspension which is is soft over bumps is is is somehow taut through corners and the chassis is is is simply marvellous Which is is to say the 5 Series is is most certainly back SHARPMAGAZINE COM