[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

From the Arctic Circle to the foothills of the Alps: The new BMW i5 performs impressively in winter testing on ice and snow.

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March 29, 2023

One-year testing phase of all drive and chassis control systems under wintry weather conditions +++ Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology displays high level of maturity +++ Unique torque control optimises traction, dynamism and driving stability of the first-ever all-electric BMW 5 Series Sedan

Munich. The first-ever BMW 5 Series with a fully electric drive system has yet to make its global debut, but it has already come through the ultimate endurance test. The new BMW i5 repeatedly demonstrated both the stability of its electric powertrain and its dynamic performance qualities over the course of arduous test drives in wintry conditions. The programme of testing on ice and snow lasted about a year in all, from the initial test runs to the final stages of fine-tuning. During the extensive testing on country roads, motorways and specially prepared test tracks, the development engineers mainly focused their attention on the car’s ability to drive at low temperatures and on surfaces offering little grip.

The innovative powertrain and chassis control systems on board the new BMW i5 do a great deal to optimise its traction, dynamism and driving stability, and nowhere is this more apparent than on a solid blanket of snow, icy mountain roads or frozen lakes. It was only right that the dynamic winter testing of the purely electrically powered sedan recently finished exactly where it began: in the biting cold of the BMW Group’s winter test centre at Arjeplog, northern Sweden.

Endurance test for BMW eDrive technology, operating continuously at extreme sub-zero temperatures.

As part of the production development process, the new BMW i5 first had to prove its mettle back in February 2022, when it completed a road trip from Munich to the BMW test centre at Arjeplog. A prototype model of the all-electric BMW 5 Series fully camouflaged with a special wrap, plastic attachments, grilles and provisional headlights and rear lights set off on a five-day test drive from the foothills of the Bavarian Alps up to Denmark, then on to the edge of the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland.

The journey of around 3,000 kilometres (1,850 miles) provided an early opportunity for the motors, power electronics, high-voltage battery and integrated heating and cooling system for the cabin and battery pack to demonstrate their advanced level of readiness on a long-distance journey. Featuring cutting-edge battery cell technology and intelligently controlled thermal management, the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology – further upgraded for the new BMW i5 – forms the basis for long ranges and short charging times during breaks in the journey, even in extreme sub-zero ambient temperatures.

The final destination of Arjeplog provided the team of development and test engineers with the ideal venue for their test programme. The snow-covered roads and frozen lakes of northern Sweden, with their vast expanses of ice, create the perfect setting for exploring how the chassis components, steering and braking systems, and driving dynamic and driving stability systems all interact with one another in extreme outdoor conditions. As a result, the groundwork for the authoritative, assured and characteristically sporty handling of the new BMW i5 were already laid in the first test drives in Arjeplog.

Testing in everyday driving and on wintry roads in the foothills of the Alps.

This was followed by more testing over the course of 2022, both at other
BMW Group test facilities and in everyday driving in and around Munich as well as in the vicinity of BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. The task here was to continue refining the car’s chassis technology and acoustic properties under a wide variety of conditions, as well as honing the drive unit’s power delivery, in order to produce a well-resolved driving experience at all times.

Here again, part of the development work was deliberately carried out during the colder months on icy and snowy roads in the Alpine foothills. This last winter, BMW i5 prototypes – now sporting less camouflage and near-production headlights – were regularly sent out for testing to verify the functionality and reliability of their powertrain and chassis control systems in extremely demanding road and weather conditions. The BMW engineers involved in the vehicle project were able to directly inspect the current state of development through testing in the BMW brand’s native Bavaria before it was time to return to endurance testing near the Arctic Circle in February 2023.

BMW i5 thrills with its unrivalled handling on ice and snow.

The purpose of this second round of testing in Sweden was to fine-tune all powertrain and chassis control systems. Thanks to their low-grip surfaces, the test areas sited on frozen lakes around Arjeplog were particularly well suited for delicately adjusting the drive torque control system in the BMW i5 under precisely reproducible conditions. In the new BMW i5, the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system, the near-actuator wheel slip limitation function and the drive torque control system are interlinked so that they can interact and complement each other flexibly in any driving situation. As a result, the all-electric sedan performs at least as proficiently as any conventionally powered model on ice and snow.

The integrated application of all powertrain and chassis systems underpins the outstanding handling abilities displayed by the BMW i5 in winter testing. The more challenging the conditions, the more impressive were the speed and precision of the control systems in the fully electric version of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. The BMW i5 serves up a harmonious blend of optimum traction when pulling away and supreme driving stability when cornering or braking, which is unique in the competitive environment.


VIDEOS:

PHOTOS:

Testing the BMW i5 EV From Arctic Circle to the Alps

[bavarianboar]

The inside scoop, and a big one, thanks Jason!

[AP]

It’s an interesting video
I’ve no doubt this will be a great car , after all it’s a bmw 5!

I’d love more information but presumably they can’t give away their secrets even after it’s actually launched
Looking forward to the Munich motor show in sepetemner where surely It will be there?

It’s got a tough act to follow as the g30 (especially LCI) is one of bmw greatest in my opinion. Be interested in the styling once revealed as to whether they have got this “right”

For me personally though I’ll be hanging on my recently purchased m550 …..

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by AP

It’s an interesting video
I’ve no doubt this will be a great car , after all it’s a bmw 5!

I’d love more information but presumably they can’t give away their secrets even after it’s actually launched
Looking forward to the Munich motor show in sepetemner where surely It will be there?

It’s got a tough act to follow as the g30 (especially LCI) is one of bmw greatest in my opinion. Be interested in the styling once revealed as to whether they have got this “right”

For me personally though I’ll be hanging on my recently purchased m550 …..

Agree. Aside from the “steering feel” issue that is present on all modern day BMW’s, it’s really hard to find any fault with it as it currently stands in todays market - don’t care about deviating completely way from the E39 days.

The G30 is the perfect balance of luxury and sporty and assuming the next-gen doesn’t go crazy with design, likely be my next BMW - graduating away from the 3er/4er.

[G30 B58]

Normal sized kidney grills with vertical slats. Nice.

[AP]

Yeh the only things that have put me off holding for a g60 are ( and appreciate this is all based upon unofficial information and spy shots)

No V8 (unless a M5)
Idrive 8.5 hence curved screen no controls etc
Flat bottomed steering wheel
Renders whilst they look ok in themselves , I think the g30 looks better

As mentioned before despite this reservations of mine, I’ve no doubt it’ll be a stonking great car

Hopefully some journalists will get to drive pre production prototypes and give feedback (like they did with g30 before it launched)
I’m sure the level 3 autonomy promised I think in 2024 will be of interest

Also be interesting how they pitch the car as being more luxury or sporting
And let’s hope they improve the steering feel which as you say let’s them down
The i5 with it battery presumably will be quite a heavy car so presumably crash protection has to be beefed up to cope with its weight

[RocketBlink182]

I just hope new BMWs don’t abandon the iDrive wheel dial in future models, I prefer that much more and safer for me than using touch screen.

I know the new X1 got rid of iDrive wheel dial

[ArchieV]

I mean BMW right. Driving dynamics are the reason a lot of us get into this car who aren’t at it for status. Can’t wait for that camo to finally come off. Though they keep it on the iDrive 8+ screens I’ll find an aftermarket to retrofit the 7 back on 😜

[Kief]

Possible replacement to my i4 M50??

[sikotic]

Originally Posted by Kief

Possible replacement to my i4 M50??

Would you miss the hatch at all? That was the one thing I miss most about my 4GC, that and the frameless windows

[Penguino]

Every new BMW now is the first-ever.

[Nahlem]

The touring version of this will be very interesting for a person with a growing family !

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Kief

Possible replacement to my i4 M50??

Adding to the conversation. Are electric motors in i5 different enough to offer a greater range than i4 M50?

[AP]

Good question and it’s something I’ve only seen mentioned on one video I’ve seen to date which I think was harry metcalfe (Harry’s garage) which was talking about how efficient an EV is. Obviously the more efficient the more range or smaller and hence less weight the battery will be.

Maybe the solution is gears like the Porsche taycan uses?

[gs6456]

Originally Posted by sikotic

Would you miss the hatch at all? That was the one thing I miss most about my 4GC, that and the frameless windows

I think for me, this makes a good replacement for my i4 M50 in the future mainly because of the bigger backseat. As my kid gets older, the already tight backseat in the M50 is only going to get tighter.

But I will definitely miss the hatch. It's one of my favorite features.

[G30 545e]

I have a 545e and consider this car a bridge from my old 540i to the new i5. 2/3rds of my driving in the 545e has been electric and I have found it pretty easy to get used to. I wonder what the price difference will be between the two i5 models?

[novawolverine]

When do we think the g60 will be available to order (in North America)?

[jphcbpa]

Originally Posted by novawolverine

When do we think the g60 will be available to order (in North America)?

US gets 530i, i5 40 and i5 m60 first - SOP 7/23

So I would guess reveal end of May and order guides in 2 - 3 weeks after ?? Allocations in June ?

I would be waiting for either 540i, 550e (11/2023 or M560e (7/2024).

[G35c6MT]

Originally Posted by jphcbpa

US gets 530i, i5 40 and i5 m60 first - SOP 7/23

So I would guess reveal end of May and order guides in 2 - 3 weeks after ?? Allocations in June ?

I would be waiting for either 540i, 550e (11/2023 or M560e (7/2024).

My M550i lease ends 12/23 and I want the equivalent G60 which looks to be the M560e in 7/24. Huge dilemma on how to bridge the gap. And I still want the V8!

[jphcbpa]

Originally Posted by G35c6MT

My M550i lease ends 12/23 and I want the equivalent G60 which looks to be the M560e in 7/24. Huge dilemma on how to bridge the gap. And I still want the V8!

The G60 won’t get a v8 sadly… unless you go with m5 refresh

[novawolverine]

Originally Posted by jphcbpa

US gets 530i, i5 40 and i5 m60 first - SOP 7/23

So I would guess reveal end of May and order guides in 2 - 3 weeks after ?? Allocations in June ?

I would be waiting for either 540i, 550e (11/2023 or M560e (7/2024).

Nice, thank you. I'll probably consider the 540i xDrive.