Automatically change lanes by looking
Now that the new Mercedes-Benz E-class is in the spotlight, BMW wants to draw attention to its new competitor of that car: the 5-series. It is coming this year and unlike the E-class, there will be a fully electric version of the 5-series. The Germans are now sharing new photos and information of that BMW i5.
The new Mercedes-Benz E-class will not get a fully electric variant. After all, Mercedes-Benz has the EQE for that. BMW chooses a different path and gives the new 5 series scheduled for later this year an electric variant that will be called i5. The BMW i5 also comes as a Touring, but the brand is now lifting the i5 sedan onto the digital stage.
According to BMW, the new 5 series – and the i5 – must find a balance between a comfortable and sporty character even more than the previous model. In addition, the German manufacturer praises the autonomous functions that the model has to offer. Thanks to Highway Assistant, the 5 Series should be able to cover its kilometers semi-autonomously on the highway, but there is more. The 5 Series and i5 should also be able to change lanes independently based on the driver’s direction of view. For the time being, BMW says that Highway Assistant Professional, which allows the 5 Series to change lanes autonomously when the driver looks in the wing mirror, will only be available in the United States, Canada and Germany. This is undoubtedly related to regulations.
BMW i5.
BMW already reports two power sources for the electric i5. It mentions the arrival of the BMW i5 eDrive40 with rear-wheel drive and already speaks of the arrival of an M Performance version that has all-wheel drive and is called i5 M60 xDrive. That i5 M60 xDrive gets Adaptive Suspension Professional with electronically controlled dampers as standard, something that is available for the i5 eDrive40 at an additional cost. The electronically controlled dampers are no longer adjusted on the basis of what BMW calls ‘calculation models’, but adapt to the current driving conditions. The result? According to BMW, the new 5 Series is almost as comfortable as the 7 Series and agile as a 3 Series.
The new BMW 5-series should be on the market in October. The first copies will roll off the production line in Dingolfing, Germany, in the summer.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl