What It’s Like Driving the BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro
The car is BMW Malaysia’s first locally assembled EV.
With the launch of the BMW i5 in 2023, battery-electric propulsion officially became an alternative option for those also considering the eighth generation of the BMW 5 Series—the world’s best-selling executive saloon and an automotive icon. In the broader context, the moment marked a turning point in the industry’s electrification efforts, providing the beloved four-door with an electric counterpart.
One of the two i5 models released at launch was the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40, featuring a 335bhp electric powertrain with 400Nm of torque, making for a car that goes from 0 to 100km/hr in six seconds flat and has a top speed of 193km/hr. Pair this with the marque’s excellent chassis tuning and adaptive damping, and the i5 makes for an excellent drive that may make you forget about its means of propulsion, if not for the quietude inside.
Speaking of which, the five-seat cabin provides just the right amount of space for the average-sized family, with plush upholstery and sufficient rear legroom making even those longer journeys welcome ones. For the front-seat occupants, the added luxury of heated and ventilated massage seats is also available.
As is true for most electric cars today, the i5 is decked out with new technology in the upgraded BMW operating system. The dashboard is dominated by a large, curved panel that incorporates a 12.3in digital gauge display as well as a 14.9in infotainment touchscreen, which comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, in-dash navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, all of which are seamless to use. The 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System is also worth a mention, playing every song as an immersive, concert-like experience.
Needless to say, the i5 stays true to its roots and its family’s legacy, delivering a similarly competent driving character that has long defined the 5 Series. This makes it a stellar choice as a daily driver for the on-the-go urbanite, the working family man, or even the petrolheads among us.
BMW Malaysia chose to introduce a locally assembled version to the Malaysian market earlier this year. Like other CKD EVs, the locally assembled i5 is tax-free until 31 December 2027, going for RM368,800 on the road without insurance—roughly RM32,000 cheaper than the fully imported version.
While it mostly remains the same, changes include silicon carbide converter upgrades and thermal management technologies, including an intelligent heat pump system that manages cabin, drive, and high-voltage battery temperatures. This has raised the WLTP range from 582 to 627km.
The car also comes with the M Sport Pro package as standard, which adds a refined dark silver M accent, as well as carbon-fibre and high-gloss silver threads to the dashboard trim. The Merino leather seats have also been customised in Atlas Grey instead of Silverstone White.
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