Together with the debut of the all-new G60 BMW 520i in Malaysia, the BMW i5 M60 xDrive has also landed in the country. Essentially the “M” version of the i5, the i5 M60 xDrive has an estimated price of RM480,000. You can view it at Malaysia Autoshow 2024 from May 22nd to 26th.
If you think nothing distinguishes it from the i5 eDrive40 (with the M Sport package), you’re not entirely wrong. There’s a good reason why the Malaysian-spec i5 eDrive40 recently dropped its 21-inch Style 954M wheels in favor of the smaller 20-inch Style 939M wheels. If it didn’t, it would be even harder to tell the i5 eDrive40 M Sport apart from the newly-launched i5 M60 xDrive.
Nitpicking aside, the BMW i5 M60 xDrive does have some significant exterior upgrades in comparison to the i5 eDrive40 M Sport. Its grille, for instance, is an M Grille without the faux horizontal slats. The kidney grille has an active shutter and an M badge proudly sits on it. The headlights also get a dark tint treatment (M Lights Shadowline) to add to the overall aggression.
While its front bumper may look very similar to i5 eDrive 40 M Sport’s, the rear bumper adds a dramatic diffuser at the lower part. Other distinguishing features of the i5 M60 xDrive include a carbon fibre trunk lip spoiler (M Rear Spoiler) and carbon fibre wing mirrors.
Standard exterior equipment on the i5 M60 xDrive:
- 21-inch Style 954M wheels
- M Sport Pro Package
- M High Gloss Shadow Line
- BMW Kidney Grille ‘Iconic Glow’
- M Rear Spoiler
- M Lights Shadowline
RELATED: 2024 BMW i5 eDrive40 launched in Malaysia, RM420k – 22kW AC charging, smaller 20-inch wheels
Performance is what truly separates the i5 M60 xDrive from the i5 eDrive40 M Sport. As its name suggests, it gets an all-wheel drive (AWD) setup with two electric motors (as opposed to the i5 eDrive40’s single-motor RWD setup). Here are the technical details at a glance:
- Drive layout: Dual-motor AWD
- Maximum System Power (in My Sport Mode): 601 hp
- Maximum System Torque: 795 Nm (820 Nm with M Sport Boost or M Launch Control)
- 0-100 km/h: 3.8 seconds
- Top speed: 230 km/h (electronically limited)
In addition to the extra motor and extra power, the i5 M60 also gets an upgraded suspension with electronically adjustable shock absorbers at the front and back. A standard item for both the i5 M60 and the i5 eDrive40 is the rear air suspension.
As for the EV numbers, the i5 M60 xDrive uses the same 81.2 kWh battery as the i5 eDrive40 despite putting out more power with its dual-motor setup. Hence it sacrifices a bit of range for performance. Here’s a brief look at the M60 xDrive’s EV technical details:
- Battery capacity: 81.2 kWh
- Battery tech: Lithium-ion
- Voltage: 400 V
- Range (WLTP): 516 km
- Maximum DC charging rate: 205 kW
- DC charging time with 205 kW(10% – 80%): 30 minutes
- Maximum AC charging rate: 22 kW
- AC charging time with 22 kW (0-100%): 4 hours and 15 minutes
Inside, the i5 M60 spruces things up with carbon fibre trims and red & blue stitchings. The steering wheel also gets a red centre marker to elevate the sportiness of the cabin. The seats are very similar to the i5 eDrive40, albeit with a different upholstery. Just like the i5 eDrive40, the M60 gets the usual curved display as well as the interaction bar that has been passed down from the flagship BMW i7 and 7 Series.
Standard interior equipment in the BMW i5 M60 xDrive:
- BMW Individual Leather ‘Merino’
- Dark Silver M Accent with Carbon Fibre High-Gloss and Silver thread
- M Anthracite Headliner
- M Leather steering wheel
- M Seat belts
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.9-inch touchscreen head unit
- Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system (18 speakers, 655 Watts)
In terms of safety, the 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive comes with the Driving Assistance Professional package as standard. This package includes Distance Control with Stop and Go function, and Steering and Lane Control Assistant for optimal driving comfort.
Other functions that come as standard include the automatic Speed Limit Assist, route control and active navigation guidance, Side Collision Protection, Road Priority Warning and Wrong-way Warning, and Crossing-traffic Warning with braking function.
Head on to Malaysia Autoshow 2024 at MAEPS Serdang from May 22nd to 26th to see the new 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive in the flesh.
GALLERY
