[TEST DRIVE] BMW's i5 may be more efficient than the gov't thinks

BMW's new electric car, the i5 M60 xDrive, has a longer body and increased efficiency over its predecessor. The dashboard recorded an efficiency of 5.7 kilometers per kWh, which is considerably higher than the government's certification.

BMW's new 5 Series [BMW KOREA]

INCHEON — The 5 Series is the protagonist behind BMW’s success in Korea.

Korea is the No. 1 market for the 5 Series, beating out its home turfs of Germany and China. The German marque repaid that love by bringing the 5 Series' first electric model to Korea in October — before any other country on the planet.

The Korea JoongAng Daily recently got behind the wheel of the i5 M60 xDrive — the first fully revamped 5 Series model in six years — on a 150-kilometer (93-mile) journey from the automaker’s driving center in Incheon to a café in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi.

At first glance, everything but the logo looked different. The body looks much bigger than that of its predecessor, perhaps closer to that of the sibling 7 Series; it's longer by 96 millimeters (3.7 inches), wider by 30 millimeters and higher by 35 millimeters.

It's even longer than the Mercedes E-Class, its longtime rival, and the Genesis G80.

BMW's first new 5 Series in six years comes with a pure EV option. [BMW KOREA]

But honestly, the most interesting part of the test drive was the number on the dashboard, which indicates the number of kilometers the car can drive per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity.

The Ministry of Environment's certification indicates that the i5 can only travel 384 kilometers per charge. That is a disappointing figure, as today's electric vehicles (EVs) normally can run at least 400 kilometers per single charge.

The car's figure, however, does not align with the ministry's. The dashboard recorded an efficiency of 5.7 kilometers per kWh after the test drive, which is considerably higher than the government's prediction of 4.1 kilometers per kWh.

The fact that the car is equipped with an 81.2-kilowatt-hour battery means that it can run 463 kilometers on a single full charge — considerably higher than the government's 384-kilometer figure.

BMW’s i5 uses Samsung SDI’s batteries.

The interior of the new 5 Series [BMW KOREA]

“The Environment Ministry’s certification is calculated based on a 21-inch wheel, which results in a low-range figure, as a bigger wheel reduces the efficiency,” said a BMW spokesperson.

“If a driver controls the output and speed, the mileage can be increased up to 25 percent.”

Another reporter who participated in the test drive even recorded 7.5 kilometers per kWh.

Driving was smoother than expected. This reporter sat on the passenger's seat for half of the test drive and didn't feel any motion sickness or dizziness. EVs often cause car sickness due to their quick acceleration and fast brakes.

BMW's first new 5 Series in six years comes with a pure EV option. [BMW KOREA]

But BMW did not give up on the dynamics. The i5's acceleration was strong yet refined, taking only six seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour from zero.

The car generates up to 340 horsepower and 40.8 kilograms-force meters of torque.

But you do need some cash in order to purchase the sedan. The 5 Series is a relatively affordable option in BMW’s lineup, but the electric version is not.

The sticker price of the i5 starts from 93.9 million won ($72,486), which makes it around 30 million won more expensive than the gasoline model. It is not eligible for any government subsidies.

But BMW does offer more charging options. The company recently said that it will install 1,000 more EV chargers across Korea near places such as discount marts and department stores.

BMW currently has around 920 chargers in the country and plans to increase that number to 1,100 by the end of this year. In total, BMW's population of chargers is expected to reach 2,100, which will constitute around half of the available chargers offered by auto brands at that time.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]