BMW debuts electric i5 with gaming, hands-free driving and lets you change lanes with your eyes
After teasing glimpses of its first all-electric 5 Series for weeks, BMW has globally debuted the first two available trims of the i5, including an M performance version with 590 horsepower. The German automaker has introduced a lot of new technology in its latest generation of its long-running series, including in-car gaming, a range conservation mode, and eye activated lane changes.
Table of contents
Finally! The all-electric BMW 5 Series has arrived
We’ve been talking about an all-electric 5 series for six years now, but it wasn’t until recently that BMW began hinting at its inevitable arrival.
As a combustion model, the 5 series has been a staple in BMW’s lineup since 1972 and remains the German automaker’s second best-selling vehicle behind the 3 series. We saw BMW kick off its all-electric models with the i3, and the automaker has used that now-defunct EV as an appetizer to larger, better-performing models, like the revamped i4 sport coupe, iX SUV, and i7 sedan.
For months now, we’ve known an all-electric version of the 5 Series was in the works alongside plug-in and combustion variants, but we didn’t really get a feel for what to expect in the new i5 until late April when the sedan was seen enduring summer testing. Still, those images were camo’d.
Last week, we got our first genuine image of the all-electric BMW i5 which we can now recognize as the eDrive40 (seen below). Today however, BMW has pulled the entire veil off both all-electric 5 Series variants, and there’s a lot to get excited about if you’re a fan of the brand.
The electric BMW i5 is longer, wider, taller, and lit up
Boy are German automakers passionate about their work. Their pride in new features is apparent in their consistently “detailed” press releases that leave no tidbits of information left to the imagination. There’s only so much we can cover before you scroll on, so we recommend checking out BMW’s latest press release for all the details of the i5.
The new lineup of the 5 Series is larger all around compared to its previous generation. Its length has been stretched by 3.4 inches to 199.2, it’s wider by 1.3 inches (74.8 in total), and it’s taller by 1.4 inches (59.6 inches in all). As a result of the length, the 5’s wheelbase has been increased by 0.8 inches to 117.9, adding a tad of interior seating space, particularly in the back.
At launch, BMW will provide two all-electric variants of the i5 that feature the automaker’s fifth-generation eDrive technology. Customers can choose from a single-motor RWD i5 eDrive40, or an M60 xDrive performance model, positioned as the pinnacle of the entire 5 Series range.
The M60 variant especially showcases some new exterior features joining the 5 Series, including a black front apron with large air intakes, a grill featuring horizontal slats and the recognizable M performance logo, side skirts and exterior mirror caps finished in high-gloss black, and 19″ M light-alloy wheels.
BMW has also introduced an M Sport Package available to add to all versions of the 5 Series that includes an illuminated kidney grill framed in high-gloss black (seen above), M Shadowline headlights, and a rear spoiler. Customers can also add red calipers to the brakes if they just co choose.
Game on! The 5 Series gets an interior facelift
Moving inward, BMW has introduced a new fully-digital curved display which the automaker states now “represents the heart of the interior redesign.” The electric i5 models will come standard with a new Interaction Bar complete with ambient lighting in the instrument panel and door areas, plus a new gear selector switch in the center console.
The new frameless curved display is comprised of a 12.3″ information screen behind the steering wheel and a 14.9″ control display, merged into one high-resolution unit powered by BMW’s latest generation Operating System 8.5 – complete with a new graphic display, start screen, and “QuickSelect” access.
BMW says OS 8.5 offers more digital information and entertainment to future drivers, including new streaming programs and for the first time ever in a 5 Series – in-car gaming thanks to the AirConsole platform.
While the EV is stationary, the driver and their passengers can connect their smartphones using a QR code on the curved display, and use them as controllers to begin gaming instantly. BMW says AirConsole already has about 20 game titles including Go Kart Go, which looks similar enough to MarioKart that I’m surprised legal action has not been taken.
Anyways, you can game while you charge, nice!
Hands-free driving and eye activated lane changes
One of the cooler features on the upcoming electric i5 is BMW’s optional Driving Assistance Professional package, which includes Highway Assistant. This ADAS features enables the i5 driver to operate hands-free at speeds up to 85 mph where conditions and speed limits allow, as long as they keep their eyes up.
The driver’s attention is continuously monitored by an interior camera, and they are fully responsible for driving and anything that happens on the road, even when Highway Assistant is activated. That means this is still a Level 2 autonomy feature at best.
BMW has utilized its eye monitoring technology in a new and unique way that alleviates the need to activate a turn signal in order to initiate a proposed hands-free lane change. When BMW begins deliveries, electric i5 owners will be able to confirm the movement by simply peering over to the respective sideview mirror.
The i5 can recognize the visual cue, then perform the lane change at speeds again, up to 85 mph (traffic conditions and speed limits permitting). Can’t wait to try this feature out.
Specs, pricing, and an introductory video
Alright, it’s been a journey to get here, but let’s dig into how these two versions of BMW’s first all-electric 5 Series break down. As we previously mentioned, initial customers will get to choose between the standard RWD i5 and the dual-motor M variant.
The i5 M60 xDrive as well as an eDrive40 donning the optional M Sport package, come equipped with a shift paddle left of the steering marked “Boost” that can be tapped to activate the electric BMW’s full drive power and trigger maximum acceleration. The i5’s electric sound design also automatically shifts to “sport” to add to the sensory driving experience.
The single motor in the rear of the electric BMW i5 eDrive40 delivers a maximum power output of 335 hp and of 295 lb-ft maximum torque (317 lb-ft when the Sport Boost or Launch Control function is activated). Its acceleration from 0-60 mph is laggard 5.7 seconds and its max speed has been electronically limited by BMW to 120 mph. The automaker also described what the i5 M60 is packing:
Two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles, in which the electric motor, power electronics, and transmission are compactly combined in a common housing, form an electric all-wheel drive system that enables the BMW i5 M60 xDrive to deliver captivating dynamic performance. The electric motor acting on the rear wheels generates a maximum power output of 335 hp, while the motor at the front axle produces 257 hp. The total system torque generated by both motors is 549 lb-ft, or 605 lb-ft when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated.
The new BMW i5 M60 is significantly quicker than the eDrive40, accelerating 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Its max speed has been electronically limited to 143 mph when equipped with performance tires (130 mph with all-season tires).
Like the motors themselves, BMW’s battery packs also make up its fifth-generation iDrive unit and consist of four modules with 72 battery cells each and three modules with twelve cells each. The modules combine for a usable capacity of 84.3 kWh and deliver the following estimated ranges and charge rates:
- The i5 eDrive40 is estimated to travel up to 295 miles on a single charge on 19″ wheels (BMW estimated, not EPA)
- i5 M60 xDrive delivers a (BMW) estimated 256 miles of range
- Combined Charging Unit enables Level 2 AC charging up to 11 kW
- The i5 can reach a rate of 205 kW on a DC fast charger, replenishing from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes
To help conserve range during dire situations, BMW has introduced a new drive system function owners can activate called Max Range. In this mode, drive power and top speed are restricted, while comfort functions are reduced to conserve battery power. Per BMW:
Max Range mode is primarily for critical situations where drivers are unable to recharge mid-journey where they had originally planned and must continue to an alternative charging point. The Max Range mode can be selected using the control display’s touchscreen functionality, the iDrive Controller, or voice commands to the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. It can also be deactivated by full-throttle acceleration (kickdown), engaging the M Sport Boost function, or switching the window defrost to maximum.
Still with us? Almost done, promise.
The new all-electric i5 models will be be built at Plant Dingolfing, BMW’s largest European plant – which has been home to Series 5 production since its birth 50 years ago. The global market launch will begin in October 2023 with the all-electric versions and will be followed by plug-in hybrid variants in the US in 2024. Here’s how initial pricing will break down.
- i5 eDrive40 – $66,800 (+ $995 destination and handling)
- i5 M60 xDrive – $84,100 (+ $995 destination and handling)
Want to see more? Check out the introductory video of the all-electric i5 posted to BMW’s YouTube page today.
Are you into the first electric 5 Series? Is the eye activated lane change a gimmick or the future of hands-free? Tell us what you think in the comments!
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Environment
Rivian confirms new purple exterior color called ‘Borealis’ and is exploring interior scents
After nearly a year of speculation online, Rivian has confirmed it will begin offering a new purple exterior color, and we now have the name – Borealis. Inspired by its own community, Rivian’s latest color will be available for a limited time on select variants and arrives as part of a broader design initiative focused on sensory experiences.
Welp, Rivian is actually offering purple EVs.
We had a feeling that this news might be coming at some point, and the confirmation has been nearly a year in the making. Earlier in 2025, some Redditors in the Rivian community started posting images of what appeared to be a purple R1S Quad out in the wild.
We covered the news about 8 months later when fresh images once again emerged of the same truck and the same dealership plates. We could confirm there was at least one purple Rivian, still owned and operated by the American EV automaker, in existence.
What we could not confirm was whether the Grimace-mobile was a one-off or a hint at plans for a new exterior color option. At the time, representatives for Rivian said they could not comment on speculation, but also did not dismiss any indications that a new purple exterior could be in the works.
This morning, Rivian made its presence known at Collins Park during Art Week Miami Beach, where it has set up a multi-sensory exhibition that includes scent, touch, and, of course, the sight of the new Borealis purple exterior. Check it out.
Rivian to offer customers a purple exterior option
During Art Week Miami Beach 2025, which kicked off earlier this week, Rivian has unveiled an exhibition called “Rewilding the Future,” an “immersive exploration of the natural systems” that shape Rivian’s design process.
This multi-sensory exhibit will expose visitors to a range of experiences, including a tactile “touch” where they can create their own objects from recycled and upcycled materials. Rivian also shared that it is exploring scents and has developed one for the exhibit highlighted in The Scent of Terrain. Visitors can first deconstruct the unique scent by smelling the individual top, mid, and base notes in glass flasks before sniffing an oil that combines them all into one sensory experience. Liz Guerrero, Sr. Director of Marketing Experiences at Rivian, elaborated:
Scent is uniquely memorable and we want to get to a place where we have a scent that becomes synonymous with the Rivian brand, sparking that amazing recall that you almost don’t realize you have. This is the next step in the learning process, and we’re excited to see the response.
It is unclear whether there is a specific goal in mind for Rivian’s scent-tric “learning process,” but it could involve brand-specific aromas inside or outside its EVs. Perhaps that new car smell will be “Terrain,” or you will be able to buy some Rivian cologne next holiday season. Rivian has not confirmed any of this, although we did request more information on its plans to integrate scent into design (or not).
Last but not least, Rivian’s Miami exhibit is focused on sight – more specifically, the public debut of its new Borealis purple exterior color. Per Rivian:
This color is a dynamic, deep velvety purple that shifts with the light and captures the essence of the aurora borealis, nature’s most spectacular light show. The inspiration for Borealis came directly from our community. During a 2024 solar event, a group of Rivian owners shot photos of their vehicles glowing under the surreal, purple-washed sky and it captured our design team’s imagination. Borealis pays homage to the spirit of exploration that defines our owners and celebrates the unexpected beauty found in mother nature.
In addition to Borealis, Rivian also debuted a new 20″ All-Terrain Burnished Bronze wheel (pictured above), available exclusively on its new Quad-Motor R1 lineup. As for the purple, Rivian said it is available to customers now on Tri and Quad configurations, but only for a limited time.
The Borealis debut is just one of several color stories being told at the Rivian art exhibit, and those purple EVs will be joined by the automaker’s R1S Quad Miami Edition, which will be on display at Miami Rivian Spaces in Aventura and Brickell beginning today.
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Tesla has received a brutal reality check from Germany this week. The country’s closely watched TÜV Report 2026 has not only ranked the Tesla Model Y as the absolute worst car for reliability in its age group but noted that it has the highest defect rate of any vehicle tested in the last ten years.
It’s a tough look for the world’s best-selling car, though the details paint a more nuanced picture than just “the car is falling apart.”
The TÜV Association (Technischer Überwachungsverein) is the organization responsible for mandatory vehicle safety inspections in Germany. These aren’t just consumer surveys; they are rigorous mechanical exams that every car must pass to remain road-legal.
In its latest “TÜV Report 2026,” which analyzed 9.5 million vehicle inspections, the Tesla Model Y came in dead last among all cars in the 2-to-3-year-old category.
According to the data, 17.3% of Model Ys failed the inspection with “significant” or “dangerous” defects. For context, the average failure rate for this age group is roughly 6.5%. The Model Y didn’t just fail; it failed spectacularly, posting the worst score TÜV has seen in a decade.
The Model 3 didn’t fare much better, landing in the third-to-last spot with a 13.1% failure rate.
So, what is actually breaking?
According to the report, the main culprits are the same ones we’ve been hearing about for years: suspension components and brakes.
TÜV inspectors flagged frequent issues with axle suspension parts, such as the notorious control arm bushings that have plagued Tesla owners for a long time. They also found significant problems with brake discs. Because EVs use regenerative braking for most deceleration, the physical friction brakes rarely get used. In Germany’s wet climate, this leads to rust and corrosion on the discs, causing them to fail safety inspections even if they “work” mechanically.
Lighting defects were also a major contributor to the failure rate.
In stark contrast, other EVs performed exceptionally well. The Mini Cooper SE had a defect rate of just 3.5%, and the Audi Q4 e-tron sat at 4.0%, proving that this isn’t an “electric vehicle problem”—it’s a specific Tesla problem.
Electrek’s Take
We need to separate the signal from the noise here.
First, let’s address the brakes. Failing a safety inspection because of rusty brake discs is a known issue for all EVs, but it seems to hit Tesla harder. If that’s the case, we should look into why that’s happening.
While it’s technically a “defect” in the eyes of TUV as it doesn’t achieve the required safety standards, it doesn’t mean the car is unreliable in the sense that it will leave you stranded. That said, Tesla owners should be careful. I enjoyed one pedal driving more than anyone, but I do make an effort to use my brain regularly. You don’t want to have a problem with them when you actually need them.
The suspension issues are a different story.
We have been reporting on Tesla’s suspension problems for years. They have been NHTSA investigations about it and recalls. It is disappointing to see that even on 2-to-3-year-old Model Ys, these parts are still failing at an alarming rate. When nearly one in five cars is failing its first mandatory inspection, you can’t just wave that away as “FUD.”
The good news is that Tesla’s powertrain is solid and doesn’t contribute much to the poor reliability rate.
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