BMW i5 eDrive 40 - 고성능의 하한선, 싱글모터 340마력.

Sometimes, there are truly surprising moments. Last October was one of them. The new BMW 5 Series was unveiled for the first time in Korea. It wasn't a facelift or a refresh, but a fully redesigned model. It symbolizes something significant. While I've occasionally heard praise for the Korean market, I've often dismissed it as mere lip service. This time, it was real. BMW chose Korea to unveil the 5 Series, and a fully redesigned model at that. It's a story that makes me feel good. The 5 Series underwent a full redesign after six years. I chose the i5 eDrive40 electric vehicle for my test drive. Its sleek design reveals its larger body. It now exceeds 5 meters in length, a 90 mm increase from its predecessor, at 5,060 mm. The notion that the 5 Series is a mid-size car is no longer relevant. The width has increased by 30mm to 1,900mm, and the height by 35mm to 1,515mm. The wheelbase has also been extended by 20mm to 2,995mm. The iconic glow clearly stands out, drawing a sharp line along the grille border. While the X5's iconic glow conceals the light to create an indirect lighting effect, the i5's uses direct lighting. The daytime running lights, complete with arrows pointing outward, emphasize the wider vehicle width. The Hofmeister Kint, a curved line on the C-pillar, features an engraved number "5." The curved display consists of a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch Control Display. The top of the dashboard is dominated by the curved display. Buttons have been replaced by a touchscreen, and all buttons have been relocated to the bottom. The lighting dominates the interior. Thick surfaces surround the interior, creating a soft, gentle glow. Lighting has now become a crucial interior design element. The gear lever and control panel with haptic feedback are made of crystal, reminiscent of sparkling jewels. It uses an 81.2kWh lithium-ion battery. A single motor is placed in the rear axle, driving the rear wheels. Maximum output is 340 horsepower and maximum torque is 40.8kg m. The 340 horsepower clearly reflects the car's character. It offers performance that's practical for everyday use, rather than simply boasting exceptional performance. The manufacturer claims it can reach 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, pulling a 2,250kg curb weight. 340 horsepower, 6 seconds—those numbers seem to be the lower bound for high performance. We tested the car with a GPS tracker and confirmed a 0-100 km/h time of 5.97 seconds. The fastest time was 6.26 seconds, with a relatively small margin of error. The driving stability is truly outstanding. The heaviest battery is located mid-engine, driving the rear wheels. The ride quality is impeccable. Even as the speed increases and the car reaches high speeds, it maintains a stable, unwavering stability. The structural strength of the electric vehicle, combined with BMW's engineering, allows for exceptional driving stability. The iconic sound is a sound effect designed to enhance the dynamic feel. Personally, I don't like this artificial sound. You can turn it off. However, in sections where wind noise increases with increased speed, the iconic sound provides a pleasant sound that masks the wind noise. At high speeds, the iconic sound excels. It has been certified in Korea for a range of 385 km on a single charge. BMW Korea explains that the certification was achieved with 21-inch tires. Domestic sales use 19- and 20-inch tires, which translates to better fuel economy. This is indeed the case. The dashboard reads -4°C, 82% battery life, and 338 km of range. If the weather had been good, wouldn't it be possible to drive up to 450 km? Rapid charging supports up to 205kW, but only up to 86kW at temperatures below 0.5 degrees Celsius. This slows down the charging speed. Because it was an outdoor charger in cold weather, the charging efficiency wasn't very good. If it had been an indoor charging station, or if the temperature had been slightly warmer, the charging efficiency would have been better. BMW claims that DC rapid charging supports up to 205kW and can charge from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. This is possible under optimal conditions. AC slow charging supports up to 11kW and takes about 8 hours and 15 minutes to charge from 0% to 100%. Many people are obsessed with the driving range of electric vehicles. While building a car with a 1,000km range is impressive, is it really necessary? Building larger batteries for longer ranges leads to heavier batteries, poor fuel economy, and longer charging times. Shorter ranges can improve fuel efficiency by reducing battery weight and allowing for faster charging. Personally, I think a range of over 300 km shouldn't be a major issue. It's up to each individual to decide. Driving Assistant Professional has been further refined. It offers stop-and-go, distance control, lane keeping assist, and even smooth lane changes. Parking assistance is also available. Parking Assist Professional includes parking and reversing assistance....