FIVE ALIVE

The electric BMW i7 has been extremely well received by the chauffeur sector, but not everyone is in the market for a top-line limousine.

The market for business-Class-sized cars is bigger, so I was looking forward to seeing if BMW’s new i5 matches its bigger sibling for quality. If it does, it could easily equal the i7’s dominance in its part of the sector too.

My test car was a BMW i5 M60 xDrive saloon in sapphire black with black leather upholstery, which is the perfect colour and interior combo.

Sitting in the car I get straight into chauffeur mode and start looking at the optional extras from both the client’s point of view and that of the driver. After all, this is your office for quite a few hours a day so being comfortable and having some toys to play with while waiting are what you need.

I was keen to see those two very important areas of the rear seat legroom and boot space. Kneeroom and legroom is good and the headroom easily accommodates a 6ft passenger (that’s me). You would be able to fit in four passengers but three in the back would be cosy.

The boot space is 520 litres, which is 90 more than the Mercedes-Benz EQE. It also has an underfloor storage space where you can put your polishes, cloths and so on without them taking up luggage space.

The M60 version is great fun to drive – on a recent trip to the midlands to see a QSi Award-winning operator, the drive was smooth and quiet, and I arrived feeling as fresh as when I left.

Much as I enjoyed the kick in the back that the acceleration gives, neither you or your customers need to get there quite that quickly. So rather than the M60 I would choose the BMW eDrive 40 Sport edition. This has a very healthy list of standard features, though for a perfect experience I would add a few extras.

These would include the Technology pack, Comfort plus pack, the panoramic glass roof, sun protection glass, side window blinds and the very sensible rear seat travel and comfort entertainment addition. No, this is not a TV screen in the headrest, but a combined device holder and charger that slots in to the back of the front seat. The car I specced up came in at just over £80,700 – well below the £97,745 OTR price of the M60 on test.

But range remains a problem for out-of-town chauffeur work. Charge the i5 M60 up using the 80% rule and you will only get 226 miles, so if airports and longer runs are your business, I’d still choose the hybrid 5-series. I’d also look at a Touring rather than saloon for the extra flexibility. This which starts at £61,705 as against the cheapest electric i5 Touring, which starts at £69,945.

Price as tested £97,745 OTR

Specification

Powertrain Single electric motor

Transmission Single-speed auto, all-wheel drive

Battery 81.2kWh

Charging time 8h 30min AC (11kW 0-100%)

30min DC (205kW 10-80%)

Power 601hp

Torque 795Nm

Top speed 143mph

0-62mph 3.8sec

Range 315 miles (WLTP)

CO2 emissions 0g/km

Length 5,060mm

Width 2,156mm

Height 1,505mm

Wheelbase 2,995mm

Loadspace 490 litres

Warranty 3 years/ unlimited miles)

Insurance Group 49