Gridly
Overview
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is BMW M GmbH’s treatment of the electric 5 Series - a vehicle that combines the complete interior specification of the i5 executive sedan with M Performance-calibrated AWD, an adaptive suspension system developed by M GmbH engineers, and an output figure that places it among the quickest executive sedans sold in Australia. This is not a sport pack applied to a standard business car; it is an M Performance vehicle that happens to seat five in executive comfort.
Two electric motors produce 442 kW standard and rise in brief Boost Mode intervals to higher outputs - the 3.8-second 0–100 km/h result reflects standard calibration. M xDrive torque vectoring distributes drive front-to-rear based on traction conditions and driving mode selection, with the rear motor dominant for a rear-drive character and the front motor available instantly when AWD traction is needed.
At $215,900, the i5 M60 xDrive competes in a thin segment: executive EV sedans with genuine M Performance credentials. The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 and Audi RS e-tron GT are its primary competitors. All three represent the current peak of electric executive performance, and each makes the case differently.
Pricing & Variants
| Variant | Drive | Battery | Range | 0–100 | Price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i5 eDrive40 | RWD | 84 kWh | 582 km | 6.0 s | $155,900 |
| i5 M60 xDrive | AWD | 84 kWh | 516 km | 3.8 s | $215,900 |
The M60 xDrive is the sole M Performance variant in the i5 Australian range. The $60,000 premium over the eDrive40 reflects M GmbH development investment, M-specific hardware (suspension, brakes, chassis calibration), and the performance credentials. The range reduction versus the eDrive40 is 66 km - modest given the AWD and performance demands.
Performance
The i5 M60 xDrive’s dual-motor setup produces 442 kW in standard operation, with Boost Mode enabling higher brief outputs for maximum-acceleration scenarios. Torque is 795 Nm at the wheels. The 3.8-second 0–100 km/h time is achieved through BMW M xDrive’s optimised front-rear torque split, launching with predominantly rear drive character before the front motor contributes as needed.
Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. M Adaptive Suspension uses M GmbH-calibrated electronically controlled dampers with stiffer spring rates and lower ride height than the eDrive40. The result is a car that corners with minimal body roll and communicates road surface texture clearly - the hallmarks of M Performance chassis engineering applied to an executive sedan. Driving modes include Efficient, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, and an M-specific mode that recalls personal driver preferences.
Range and Charging
The 84 kWh battery returns 516 km WLTP - impressive for a dual-motor AWD performance sedan. The efficiency optimisation BMW’s engineers have achieved means the M60 xDrive sacrifices only 66 km of WLTP range versus the rear-drive eDrive40 despite the AWD system and significantly higher output. Real-world highway range at 110 km/h in moderate conditions is approximately 400–450 km.
DC fast charging peaks at 205 kW on CCS2. A 10–80% charge covers approximately 57 kWh and takes around 27 minutes at peak speed - consistent with the eDrive40 and reflecting the shared 84 kWh battery. AC charging is 11 kW three-phase, with a full charge taking approximately 8.5 hours. The 400V architecture caps DC speed at 205 kW; this is the same across both i5 variants.
Interior and Technology
The M60 xDrive’s interior builds on the i5’s already premium specification with M-specific additions: M Sport seats with enhanced lateral support and M embossing, an M leather steering wheel with M-specific mode controls, M Performance ambient lighting in M colours, and M instrument display layouts showing power output, torque distribution, and g-force data.
The curved iDrive 8.5 unit is shared with the eDrive40: 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central touchscreen. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The Harman Kardon sound system is fitted; the optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround system adds 18 speakers and active noise cancellation. Heated and cooled front seats, rear seat heating, panoramic roof, and full-colour head-up display are all standard in Australia.
Practicality
The M60 xDrive seats five with the same generous rear legroom as the eDrive40 - the M Performance specification does not compromise cabin dimensions. Boot volume is 490 litres. Towing capacity is 2,000 kg - shared with the eDrive40 and a key differentiator from the i4 range, which has no towing approval.
V2L and V2H are not available. The M60 xDrive’s practical utility profile is essentially identical to the eDrive40, with the M Performance engineering applied to dynamics rather than cargo or towing capability.
Safety
BMW’s Driving Assistant Professional is standard in Australia, providing the complete active safety suite: adaptive cruise control with lane-centring and automatic lane change, forward collision warning with emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic jam assist, and speed limit recognition.
The Extended Traffic Jam Assistant enables semi-automated driving in congested conditions. Parking Assistant Plus with surround-view cameras is standard. The M60 xDrive’s larger brakes (M-specific rotors and callipers versus the eDrive40) also contribute to emergency stopping performance beyond the standard active safety systems.
Running Costs and Ownership
At $0.30 per kWh, the i5 M60 xDrive costs approximately $4.88 per 100 km on home charging - calculated as (84 ÷ 516) × 100 × 0.30. Performance-oriented driving will increase consumption; highway cruising in Efficient mode will approach the theoretical figure.
BMW Australia’s three-year warranty applies with no stated kilometre limit. At this price point, extended warranty options from BMW Australia or third parties are worth considering to align coverage with typical finance terms. BMW’s dealer network covers all major Australian markets; M Performance vehicles are serviced by BMW-certified technicians familiar with M-specific hardware.
Verdict
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is a remarkable combination: the executive refinement of the 5 Series, the 3.8-second acceleration of a performance car, and 516 km of electric range - all in one vehicle. BMW M GmbH’s chassis calibration makes the M60 xDrive more than a fast executive transport; it is a car that rewards driver involvement in a way the eDrive40 does not match.
At $215,900 it is a significant purchase, and the three-year warranty, absence of V2L, and 205 kW DC charging ceiling are recurring BMW EV limitations. But for the buyer who wants an M Performance executive sedan in an electric format - without the compromises of a traditional hybrid or the personality deficit of some alternatives - the i5 M60 xDrive has no direct equivalent in the Australian market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the i5 M60 xDrive and a full M5?
The i5 M60 xDrive is an M Performance vehicle, not a full M division product. It is developed by BMW M GmbH and uses M-specific hardware (suspension, brakes, chassis calibration), but is positioned below a full M car equivalent. A traditional M5 uses a high-revving petrol engine with M-specific transmission and body reinforcement; the i5 M60 is the electric M Performance sedan. A fully electric M5 may follow in future.
Does the BMW i5 M60 xDrive have adaptive air suspension?
The i5 M60 xDrive uses M Adaptive Suspension - electronically controlled dampers with M-specific spring and damper rates - rather than air suspension. This prioritises dynamic response and driver engagement over the variable ride height that air suspension provides. The eDrive40 offers optional air suspension for buyers who prioritise ride comfort above cornering precision.
How does the i5 M60 xDrive compare to the Audi RS e-tron GT?
Both are flagship electric performance sedans above $200,000. The RS e-tron GT uses an 800V architecture enabling faster DC charging (270 kW) and has a lower, sportier profile. The i5 M60 xDrive offers more interior volume, 2,000 kg towing, and BMW’s executive sedan comfort. The RS e-tron GT is the driver’s car choice; the i5 M60 is the executive performance car that also happens to be fast.
