BMW will expand the range of versions of the i5 and iX2 this spring

From next March the Bavarian manufacturer will add an additional version to its line-up, for both the i5 and the iX2. Thus, the electric saloon of the brand will have a new xDrive40 version, while the compact coupé SUV will add another with a single drive unit on the front axle.

The BMW i5 reached the European market during the last quarter of last year, and at that time the Bavarian manufacturer offered only two versions: eDrive40 with rear-wheel drive and a single 250 kW drive unit as the entry-level version, alongside a sportier one, the M60, topping the range with all-wheel drive and 442 kW of combined power from its two motors. The first had — and still has — a price in Germany slightly above 70,000 euros, while the second comes close to 100,000 euros.

The new BMW i5 xDrive40 therefore sits as an intermediate version. Like the M60, it also has an electric motor on each axle, but in this case the combined power is lower, standing at 290 kW with 590 Nm of torque. The price will logically also be lower, around 75,000 euros in Germany, just over 5,000 euros above the entry-level version of the range.

As expected, the new i5 xDrive40 keeps the same 81.2 kWh battery pack as the other two versions, which should allow it to cover, according to the manufacturer, between 463 and 538 km under the WLTP homologation cycle, depending on the equipment chosen. The maximum charging power supported is also the same, at 205 kW. While for AC charging it comes with a standard 11 kW onboard charger, a 22 kW unit is also available as an option.

BMW matches the iX2 with versions the same as the iX1

As with the i5, from next March the Bavarian manufacturer will also offer a new version of the iX2, in this case named eDrive20. The new iX2 eDrive20 will be about 7,000 euros cheaper than the xDrive30 version with dual electric motors and all-wheel drive currently on offer, with a price in Germany slightly below 50,000 euros.

As with the iX1 eDrive20, this new iX2 version will feature a single 150 kW electric motor on the front axle, paired with a 64.78 kWh battery pack. For DC fast charging at a suitable station it will likewise accept up to 130 kW. For AC charging with a wallbox it has a standard 11 kW onboard charger, with the option of a 22 kW unit.

BMW states that the WLTP range of the iX2 eDrive20 sits between 439 and 478 km, depending on the equipment chosen. Slightly above the xDrive30 version currently on sale, whose maximum WLTP range is 449 km.

Finally, it should be noted that from next March BMW will also offer new paint colours for both the i5 and the iX2. The Bavarian manufacturer also explains that the integration of Apple’s Siri voice assistant has been improved when an iPhone is used in BMW models equipped with the iDrive 9 operating system.

Technical specifications of the cars in this article

SedanBMW i56 versions · from 77,050 €

CrossoverBMW iX22 versions · from 51,300 €