With the i5 M60, BMW wants you to forget all about the gasoline-fueled M550i and its brawny twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine and opt instead for the purely electric M Performance version. The new 5 Series has arrived at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show with matte paint, dual motors, and plenty of carbon fiber goodies. It’s dressed to impress in Pure Frozen Grey from the Individual catalog and has the optional Shadowline headlights with darkened lenses for a meaner look.
M Performance Parts Fitted To The Car
Shown here in right-hand drive, the BMW i5 M60 partially foreshadows the full-fat M5 coming next year since that aggressive kidney grille with horizontal slats is coming to the flagship version. It might not be identical, but it won’t be all that different either. The carbon fiber side mirror caps with their M-specific shape also bring the electric M Performance model closer to the actual M5, as does the trunk lid spoiler made from the same lightweight material.
Wheels Up To 21 Inch
The two-tone wheels measuring 20 inches are not the biggest available for the electric sports sedan as BMW also offers a larger 21-inch set but that one will negatively impact the range. In the United States, an i5 M60 with the wheels pictured here is rated at 248 miles whereas with the bigger ones, you’re losing eight miles. It’s not much but it’s something to take into consideration. There’s also a massive price gap since the 20-inch wheels are an $800 option while the 21-inch Individual wheels command a $1,800 premium.
BMW i5 M60 Touring Coming in 2024
For those in need of the extra practicality provided by a wagon, BMW will launch an i5 M60 Touring. However, it’s not coming to the United States. Seeing the glass half full, we are hearing the already teased M5 Touring will be sold in North America to rival the Mercedes-AMG E63 Estate and Audi RS6 Avant. Our sources close to the German luxury brand have told us the long-roof M5 will be the only 5 Series Touring available in the US.
It remains to be seen whether there will be other M Performance models beyond this M60. There might be an M560e as an inline-six plug-in hybrid later in the life cycle. Even if the M550i will make an unexpected return, this V8-powered M Performance model is highly unlikely to be sold in the European Union where BMW is also not selling the 760i due to stricter emissions regulations.
