[Mani59]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Intelligent technology underpins a new driving experience: The BMW i5 in dynamic summer testing



Munich. The series production development process for the first-ever BMW i5 is entering the home straight with the fine-tuning of its suspension control and driver assistance systems. Just a few weeks ahead of the car’s world premiere, it is clear the all-electric version of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan will deliver an outstanding driving experience – just like all the other variants. Innovative Vertical Dynamics Management elevates the balance of sporting potency and ride comfort for which the BMW 5 Series has always been renowned to an even higher level. And the car’s automated driving capability has also been taken into a new dimension with the Highway Assistant, which controls the distance to the vehicle ahead, carries out steering adjustments and carries out lane changes for the first time by means of eye activation.

Over the course of more than a year, the BMW i5 has negotiated a richly varied programme of testing – from the snow-covered and icy surfaces of the winter test centre at Arjeplog, Sweden to regions offering extreme heat and dry conditions, in city driving and on country roads, on motorways and hand-picked test tracks. The fine-tuning work for all the components involved in the driving experience was then carried out at the BMW Group’s proving grounds outside Miramas in southern France. This included ensuring the integral heating and cooling circuit with heat pump function for the drive system, the high-voltage battery and the interior of the BMW i5 can be controlled as required at all times. The predictive heat management capability of the high-voltage battery paves the way for rapid and efficient charging at DC fast-charging stations.

Specially tuned suspension systems maximise comfort and agility.

The flexible drive system technology offered by the new BMW 5 Series range – which now gives customers the choice between classical internal combustion engines, plug-in-hybrid solutions and fully electric drive systems – leads to wide variations in vehicle weight. With this in mind, model-specific, case-by-case chassis tuning and corresponding application of all control systems deliver signature BMW driving pleasure, regardless of the drive concept involved.

As the range-topping model variant, the BMW i5 M60 xDrive (electric power consumption combined: 21.2 – 17.9 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions: 0 g/km in the WLTP cycle [provisional figures]) is fitted as standard with Adaptive Suspension Professional including electronically controlled dampers. This suspension system can also be specified as an option for the BMW i5 eDrive40 (electric power consumption combined: 19.7 – 16.0 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions: 0 g/km in the WLTP cycle [provisional figures]). Thanks to an innovative form of BMW Vertical Dynamics Management, it offers a noticeable increase in sports performance combined with a level of ride comfort that also represents a clear step forward from that of its predecessor.

The latest version of BMW’s Vertical Dynamics Management, now in its ninth generation, is making its debut in the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. This technology is based on a newly developed, extensively networked control logic, and factors in all the available input variables – such as wheel speeds, steering angle, yaw rate and acceleration – to establish the ideal damping forces. The system no longer calculates the required damping forces using mathematical models, but instead favours physical calculation of data on the current driving condition. This ensures clearly defined body control and precise suspension response in every driving situation.

Adaptive Suspension Professional is offered for all variants of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan (either as standard or optionally, depending on the model), ensuring the customary driving pleasure of BMW. The new generation of the business sedan therefore blends ride comfort approaching BMW 7 Series levels with the sporting agility familiar from the BMW 3 Series.

A new experience of automated driving: Highway Assistant and automated lane change with eye activation.

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan also raises the bar in its segment with its extensive array of systems for automated driving and parking. High-resolution cameras, high-precision radar sensors and control units from the BMW Group’s latest technology toolkit, plus a software application refined over countless miles of testing, provide the ingredients for an automated driving experience featuring innovative highlights that further enhance safety and comfort.

In the USA and Canada, and now also in Germany, the Driving Assistant Professional available as an option for the new BMW 5 Series Sedan comprises Highway Assistant, which can be used at speeds of up to 130 km/h (85 mph). Once activated, the system takes care of distance control and the steering inputs required for lane control, so the driver can keep their hands in a comfortable position and focus fully on surveying the area around the vehicle and the traffic situation at hand.

An interior camera helps monitor the driver’s level of alertness and also enables another innovation: in a world first, the automated lane change – included as part of the Driving Assistant Professional and Highway Assistant – in the new BMW 5 Series Sedan can be controlled using eye activation. This convenience feature results in a new level of interaction between human and car. Looking in the exterior mirror prompts the car to initiate the lane change process and carry out the necessary steering movements and speed adjustments at speeds of up to 130 km/h (85 mph) once the driver has confirmed they want it to do so and the traffic situation allows. The purely visual gesture complements the previous use of the turn signal lever, which is also available as an alternative.

Production of the new, eighth-generation BMW 5 Series Sedan will begin in summer 2023 at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Bavaria. The car’s market launch will get underway in October 2023.

[spuntyb]

Early food for thought:

https://twitter.com/jar_rosenholtz/s...PWO8sGjx8QvVSg

[GOLFFRR]

eye activation, seems interesting

[DocWeatherington]

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...ototype-drive/


https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...-drive-review/



https://youtu.be/CG18x7i0rwI


https://youtu.be/hhlW65fT28o

[unfoundnemo]

Originally Posted by Mani59

The system no longer calculates the required damping forces using mathematical models, but instead favours physical calculation of data on the current driving condition.

Anyone else picturing mice running out with a compass, protractor, abacus, and scratch pad at every turn?

[RCtennis3811]

Normal-size kidney grill, clean lines, non-split headlights - I can already tell I’m gonna like this a lot more than the overstyled new E-Class.

[Tch-Nrd]

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by Tch-Nrd

That display is absolutely horrendous…
I will never buy such afterthought interior.

I am also glad I do not own a nanny-mobile. It took me a special order to get mine without driving assist. Don’t need a POS software to correct my steering wheel when I want to avoid a pothole.

[AP]

Was it coincidence that all this info was released at the same time as the Mercedes e class?!

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

That display is absolutely horrendous…
I will never buy such afterthought interior.

I am also glad I do not own a nanny-mobile. It took me a special order to get mine without driving assist. Don’t need a POS software to correct my steering wheel when I want to avoid a pothole.

Get off my lawn!!!

[redblaze]

As long as it doesn’t have the ugly grille I’m in

[bavarianboar]

Need info on ICE variants. This all electric only talk is just marketing obsession.

Mercedes bringing both 4 and 6 banger to the market, along with plug in hybrids. No speak of all electric there.

i5 is pivoting point for BMW for US market where the iX1 and iX3 are not sold and purposely not released. The pricing could end up being similar tot the iX.

But hey give us some ICE options for the petrolheads.

[Matt 335is]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

That display is absolutely horrendous…
I will never buy such afterthought interior.

[RCtennis3811]

Originally Posted by bavarianboar

Mercedes bringing both 4 and 6 banger to the market, along with plug in hybrids. No speak of all electric there.

That’s because they’re making the odd choice of having 2 distinct body styles for some vehicles in their hierarchy when they’ve stated their EQ brand will eventually die and models will merge into one later on:

• EQS / S-Class
• EQE / E-Class
• EQS SUV (actual name, WTF) / GLS
• EQE SUV / GLE

All those slot in the same space in their lineup, yet EQ vs non-EQ look completely different, and yet both will eventually merge back into one “X”-Class of model later on regardless of being hybrid or electric. 🤯

IMHO, I’d rather have what BMW is doing now: one body style that looks the same regardless if it’s in gasoline, hybrid, or electric guise.

[wesleyan92]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

That display is absolutely horrendous…
I will never buy such afterthought interior.

I am also glad I do not own a nanny-mobile. It took me a special order to get mine without driving assist. Don’t need a POS software to correct my steering wheel when I want to avoid a pothole.

Jesus; angry much?

[Dawko]

Low def but good representation of the final rear profile.

[atl_1M]

Originally Posted by Dawko

Low def but good representation of the final rear profile.

That’s a 7 series

[adamm3k]

Originally Posted by Dawko

Low def but good representation of the final rear profile.

Yeah that's an old video with the 7.

You can see it here

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by AP

Was it coincidence that all this info was released at the same time as the Mercedes e class?!

Perhaps it was strategically timed or news press articles were given green light due to E-class unveil (month before the release in May).

On second thoughts, even formula 1 cars are fairly known for their release month/dates, this wasnt much of a surprise/well kept secret that the new 5er is coming any moment.

[AP]

Well I’ve watched a couple of the videos now including one showing the enhancements to the semi autonomous driving.( notice they blur the image of the car in the cluster to not give away what the car looks like!)
I suspect they have a winner on their hands here
Pricing will be interesting, no doubt won’t be cheap.

Am I jealous having just bought a m550? No as I made a conscious decision to buy that instead of waiting for the g60
Whilst there a few things that detected me from waiting (idrive 8 and touch controls for just about everything, non round steering wheel and curved display) I do acknowledge that this shaping up be a good car. So just personal preferences.

I’m off to the Munich motor show in sepetember so hope to get my grubby little mitts on one there for a closer look.

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by AP

Well I’ve watched a couple of the videos now including one showing the enhancements to the semi autonomous driving.( notice they blur the image of the car in the cluster to not give away what the car looks like!)
I suspect they have a winner on their hands here
Pricing will be interesting, no doubt won’t be cheap.

Am I jealous having just bought a m550? No as I made a conscious decision to buy that instead of waiting for the g60
Whilst there a few things that detected me from waiting (idrive 8 and touch controls for just about everything, non round steering wheel and curved display) I do acknowledge that this shaping up be a good car. So just personal preferences.

I’m off to the Munich motor show in sepetember so hope to get my grubby little mitts on one there for a closer look.

There will be no M550i exact replacement with a V8 given all these other electrified and mild hybrid models. Design, interior and controls aside, the V8 you will cherish, and G30 is a reasonably modern car.

I was comparing all we saw in the X5 LCI to the pre-LCI, and extrapolating what BMW interior would look like on the 5, and historically a 5 is a baby7. With these videos, little is left to imagination except the exterior design.

Now the main difference we may see is in steering, handling and the complete chassis setup that's been optimized and designed from ground up for the ICE AND electrified versions. Seats also look fully redesigned. That all along with exterior design updates is the biggest mystery. DRLs will be similar to X5 LCI. Other design elements modernize the car further.

The second mystery of course is what all variants will be offered in the US. My guess is very few ICE options initially to push the electric version forward. All this marketing focused on i5 is signaling something.

M550i is likely getting replaced by an i5 M60 (or an M60e)?

You'll cherish your V8 highway cruiser for a long time!

[jphcbpa]

Originally Posted by bavarianboar

There will be no M550i exact replacement with a V8 given all these other electrified and mild hybrid models. Design, interior and controls aside, the V8 you will cherish, and G30 is a reasonably modern car.

I was comparing all we saw in the X5 LCI to the pre-LCI, and extrapolating what BMW interior would look like on the 5, and historically a 5 is a baby7. With these videos, little is left to imagination except the exterior design.

Now the main difference we may see is in steering, handling and the complete chassis setup that's been optimized and designed from ground up for the ICE AND electrified versions. Seats also look fully redesigned. That all along with exterior design updates is the biggest mystery. DRLs will be similar to X5 LCI. Other design elements modernize the car further.

The second mystery of course is what all variants will be offered in the US. My guess is very few ICE options initially to push the electric version forward. All this marketing focused on i5 is signaling something.

M550i is likely getting replaced by an i5 M60 (or an M60e)?

You'll cherish your V8 highway cruiser for a long time!

M560e SOP July of 24

I wonder if the details of this vehicle will be released in may with the other variants or since the sop is next summer that will be delayed ?