BMW i5 EV Malaysian Specs Confirmed – eDrive 40 & M60 xDrive

The all-new BMW i5 will arrive in two guises for the Malaysian market – eDrive 40 & M60 xDrive

BMW Malaysia has unveiled the specifications for the Malaysian-bound BMW i5 EV saloon, which is due to make its market entry some time later. This first all-electric 5 Series sedan will be available in two main guises for our local market, namely the baseline eDrive 40 and the souped-up M60 xDrive.

2024 BMW i5 eDrive 40 EV saloon

Starting with the baseline BMW i5 eDrive 40, this EV saloon is powered by a rear-mounted (RWD) single electric motor setup rated at 335 HP (250 kW) and 400 NM, allowing it to catapult from nought to 100 KM/H in just 6 seconds. Juiced by a 81.2-kWh battery pack, the i5 eDrive 40 boasts a maximum EV range of 582 KM, according to the WLTP cycle.

As for charging, the i5 eDrive 40 model supports DC fast charging at up to 205 kW, allowing said battery pack to go from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the i5 can be fully charged via the slower 11 kW AC charging method in about 8 hours.

The Malaysian-spec BMW i5 eDrive 40 comes in multiple M Sport trims

According to BMW Malaysia’s official configurator, the i5 eDrive 40 will be offered with two extra trim levels – the M Sport and M Sport Pro. These trim levels add a slew of sporty M parts and accessories to the base i5, including M Sport body kit, a bevy of M alloy wheel options, while the cabin is offered with multiple M-specific upholstery and trim options.

On top of that, over 13 exterior colourways are offered to the i5 eDrive 40, including several special M hues like the M Brooklyn Grey, M Carbon Black Metallic, and many more.

The souped-up BMW i5 M60 xDrive will be the range-topping spec for the i5 in Malaysia

Moving on to the i5 M60 xDrive, this top-specced variant is essentially the M version of the i5. As its name suggests, this M-badged EV saloon gets a peppier xDrive dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup with a total system output of 592 HP (442 kW) and 795 NM, garnering it a stellar century sprint time of 3.8 seconds.

In spite of being juiced by the same 81.2-kWh battery pack as the eDrive 40 model, the i5 M60 xDrive boasts a slightly lower maximum EV range of 516 KM (WLTP), due to its peppier dual-motor setup and heftier 2,380 KG kerb weight. Charging figure is quite similar to the baseline i5 model, with DC fast charging rate capped at 205 kW, garnering the battery a 10% to 80% state-of-charge (SOC) in about 30 minutes.

The BMW i5 M60 xDrive gets a slew of M Performance Parts and exclusive M accessories

While BMW Malaysia has yet to reveal visual details of the i5 M60 xDrive, we can expect the Malaysian-bound model to boast the same equipment as in other international markets. In said markets, the i5 M60 xDrive is bestowed with a slew of M Performance Parts, which includes M carbon fibre body kit, several M light alloy wheel options with sizes ranging from 19- to 21-inch, as well as M Performance brakes option.

On board, the i5 M60 xDrive is laced with M parts and accessories, including special carbon fibre M  Performance door sills, M-specific velour floor mats, and many more.

How much would you reckon BMW Malaysia will price the all-new i5 EV saloon?

While the registration of interests (ROIs) for the new BMW i5 has been open since the EV saloon made its global debut earlier in May this year, BMW Malaysia has yet to unveil the prices for the Malaysian-bound i5 models.

For reference, the outgoing G30-gen BMW 5 Series is still on sale in Malaysia from RM360,800 for the locally-assembled (CKD) 530e M Sport variant, while the fully-imported (CBU) BMW i4 EV gran coupe starts from RM273,800 for the baseline eDrive 35 variant. Meanwhile, the CBU version of the BMW i7 xDrive 60 M Sport commands a RM729,800 price tag.

With the Malaysian EV excise tax exemption still in force until Dec 2025, we can expect the BMW i5’s prices to be slotted nicely between the i4 and i7, though not on the same level as its ICE-powered CKD predecessors.