BMW USA has shared its spring 2024 model update, encompassing the launch of a new all-electric 5 Series model, the rollout of its Highway Assistant to new vehicles, Siri integration in vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 9, and more.
In March 2024, BMW will add a third electric variant will be added to its new 5 Series lineup called the BMW i5 xDrive40. The EV uses two highly integrated fifth-generation electric drive units, one at the front axle and one at the rear axle, that generate a combined power output of up to 389 hp (286 kW) and peak torque of 435 lb-ft (589 Nm). Leveraging its electric all-wheel drive system, the BMW i5 xDrive40 accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.2 seconds, before reaching its top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h).
A high-voltage battery under the floor delivers 84.3 kWh of usable energy, while the variant’s Combined Charging Unit enables AC charging at 11 kW, and DC charging at up to 205 kW. When connected to a DC fast charger, this allows the battery to be topped up from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes. A standard Plug & Charge Multi Contract function helps streamline the charging experience by enabling automatic payment from inside the vehicle at public charging points. Through it, customers can store up to five individual Plug & Charge-enabled accounts from different providers in the EV’s iDrive system. Once the vehicle is connected to a charging point, the data required for account access and payment is sent to it through the charging cable. The authentication needed to initiate charging and payment takes place automatically at any of the vehicle’s stored charging locations.
BMW is planning to commence production of the 2025 BMW i5 xDrive40 in March, launching in the U.S. with a base MSRP of $70,100 (€65,191 / £55,725) plus a $995 (€925 / £790) destination and handling fee.
Forming part of the premium Driving Assistance Professional Package available for BMW’s iX, 5 Series, 7 Series, X5, X6 (except M Competition models), and X7 models (and standard on XM), the Highway Assistant enables attentive hands-free driving at speeds up to 85 mph (136 km/h) where conditions and speed limits allow. With the introduction of the 2024 5 Series, an Active Lane Change function with eye activation was added to the ADAS and will now be available on further BMW models starting with March 2024 production.
When activated, the vehicle suggests a lane change before the driver confirms it by looking in the corresponding outside rearview mirror. It then performs the necessary steering movements automatically, without the need to confirm the lane change using the turn signal. Active Lane Change with eye activation will be added to the Highway Assistant on iX models starting with March 2024 production, alongside X5, X6 (except X5 and X6 M Competition models), and X7 starting with April 2024 production.
Among the digital services BMW will debut from spring 2024 is the extended smartphone integration for vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 9. This extension will allow Apple’s Siri voice assistant to be activated directly by voice command, with no need to also press the push-to-talk button on the steering wheel. Elsewhere, the OEM’s cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps now offers improved display of information on charging stations. The available images and ratings (on a scale from zero to five stars) are shown both in the list of search results and in the detailed display.
In spring 2024, Comfort Access with the BMW Digital Key Plus will be integrated into the OEM’s My BMW App (available for iOS and Android devices) in vehicles equipped with BMW Operating System 8, 8.5 or 9. In addition, the map view for selecting navigation destinations that have been imported from the app into the vehicle has been redesigned. Through this new design, BMW is looking to improve the search function and visibility of the most relevant content, while in the future map and routing functions will be proposed based on current vehicle or user contexts.
Concluding the announcements from BMW’s spring update is the addition of a new E-mobility Analysis function to My Trips in the My BMW App, which has been designed to encourage EV adoption. Based on the customer’s driving behavior, this function recommends which BMW EV will best suit their needs.
