• First-ever fully electric BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring bound for New Zealand
  • Follows launch of BMW i5 M60 xDrive Sedan last year
  • Unique offering in the segment
  • Powered by dual motor electric powertrain developing 442kW and 800Nm
  • Achieves standard sprint in a blinding 3.9-seconds
  • Underpinned by 84kWh high voltage battery
  • Delivers driving range of up to 506km (WLTP)
  • Capable of up to 205kW high-speed DC charging
  • Vehicle arrivals in Q3, 2024 with pricing to be announced in the lead up to launch


The first-ever BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring has been confirmed for New Zealand and will arrive here for customer deliveries in Q3 this year.

The new fully electric offering headlines the sixth generation BMW 5 Series Touring, which had its world premiere last week. When this new model arrives, it will mean that BMW offers 15 variants across seven fully electric models in its product portfolio, which is the most of any manufacturer represented in the country.

2024 BMW i5 Touring xDrive: Stretched proportions

Compared with its predecessor, the new BMW 5 Series Touring is 97 millimetres longer (5,060 millimetres), 32 millimetres wider (1,900 millimetres) and 17 millimetres higher (1,515 millimetres). The new BMW 5 Series Touring has the longest wheelbase in its class, increasing by 20 millimetres to 2,995 millimetres.

The distinctive front end features what BMW says is a modern interpretation of the hallmark twin headlights and BMW grille. Two almost vertical LED elements serve as direction indicators and daytime running lights respectively. The BMW grille, which projects far forward, features BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting – a standard feature on New Zealand-specification vehicles.

From the side view, the flat window graphics and the long roof spoiler emphasise the 2-box design. An L-shaped chrome bar divides the LED rear light elements, which extend well into the side sections.

The range of paintwork includes three BMW Individual paint finishes, while standard equipment includes M alloy wheels measuring 20-inches in diameter. Customers can also opt for 21-inch M alloy wheels at no additional cost. The character of the new BMW 5 Series Touring can be further emphasised with the M Sport Package Pro, which for New Zealand includes the M Carbon Exterior Package.

2024 BMW i5 Touring xDrive: Interior

At the heart of the driver-oriented cockpit design is the BMW Curved Display. Its 12.3-inch Information Display and the Control Display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches form a fully digital display set-up.

The new BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring includes BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery as standard and is available in three bi-colour variants. Other standard equipment highlights include the BMW CraftedClarity Glass Application manufactured by Swarovski (for the iDrive Controller, Start/Stop button, volume roller and gear selector rocker), a panoramic glass roof and the 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System.

2024 BMW i5 Touring xDrive: Storage

The new BMW 5 Series Touring that underpins the i5 M60 Touring xDrive offers more space and noticeably more leg, shoulder and elbow room, especially in the rear, as well as optimised acoustic comfort. With its versatile interior and numerous intelligent functions, the new BMW 5 Series Touring is just as impressive on the road as it is in everyday use, claims BMW.

A wider luggage compartment opening combined with a low sill makes it easy to stow large items of luggage. Every variant of the new BMW 5 Series Touring has a luggage compartment volume that can be expanded from 570 to up to 1,700 litres, meaning the fully electric variant is not compromised in its cargo carrying capability. In addition to the automatic tailgate operation, remote unlocking of the 40:20:40 split rear seat backrest from the luggage compartment is also standard.

Storage compartments under the load compartment floor provide space for the luggage compartment partition net, luggage compartment cover and charging cables.

2024 BMW i5 Touring xDrive: Unique offering in the segment

The new BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring is the first all-electric premium model in its competitive field. It features two drive units on the front and rear axles, which together form an electric all-wheel drive with up to 442kW. With M Launch Control or M Sport Boost activated, the system torque is increased to 820Nm.

The top model accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and its top speed electronically limited to 230km/h.

The high-voltage battery located in the underbody has a gross energy content of 84kWh (net 81.2kWh). A variety of factors – from the efficient electric motors, adaptive recuperation and heat pump technology for heating and cooling the interior – means BMW i5 M60 xDrive has a WLTP testing range rated at up to 506km.

2024 BMW i5 Touring xDrive: Charging

New Zealand customers receive a complimentary BMW Wallbox upon purchase of their BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring. The BMW Wallbox can charge at a rate of up to 22kW and includes features such as space-saving cable management, LED display and Bluetooth interface for connection with apps.

BMW New Zealand’s Destination Charging program rollout, which continues to expand at a rapid rate across the North and South Islands, provides additional options for BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring owners to charge their vehicle while out on the road. Charging locations include hotels, resorts and golf clubs.

2024 BMW i5 Touring xDrive: “Ideal balance between sportiness and travelling comfort”

Driving pleasure in the new BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring is based on an ideal balance between sportiness and travelling comfort, says BMW New Zealand. It achieves this via the longest wheelbase in the competitive segment, large track widths, an almost perfectly balanced 50:50 axle load distribution, intelligent lightweight construction and optimised rigidity of the body-chassis connection.

The extensively enhanced suspension technology includes sport steering, directly controlled wheel slip limitation and the latest version of the integrated braking system as standard. It also features rear-axle air suspension including automatic self-levelling.

M Sport Suspension, the M Sport braking system and Adaptive Chassis Professional with electronically controlled shock absorbers, Integral Active Steering and new lateral dynamics management are included as standard.

Standard fitment Adaptive M Chassis Professional with Active Roll Stabilisation and Active Roll Comfort complement the vast dynamic potential of the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring.

2024 BMW i5 Touring xDrive: Systems for automated driving and parking

The systems for semi-automated driving and parking for the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring set standards in the competitive environment with their range of functions, reliability and everyday benefits, it is claimed.

The new BMW i5 M60 xDrive features Parking Assistant Professional, which incorporates additional sensor assistance from the four Surround View cameras and the ultrasonic sensors, enabling three further semi-automatic driving functions.

Automated parking and manoeuvring up to 200 metres can be also controlled from outside the car using a smartphone.

2024 BMW i5 Touring xDrive: BMW iDrive with “QuickSelect”, video streaming and AirConsole games

The enhanced BMW iDrive display and operating system based on BMW Operating System 8.5 offers a redesigned home screen and the “QuickSelect” quick access function.

The combination of the BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is designed for touchscreen and natural language operation.

The standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the BMW Head-Up Display and an augmented view on the Control Display or the instrument cluster.

The infotainment system in the new BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring is complemented by a range of compelling digital services. The Connected Package Professional offers a choice of YouTube and the Video app with content for streaming video# on the Control Display. The new BMW iDrive also enables the use of an innovative form of in-car gaming# with the AirConsole platform.

The standard equipment roster also includes optimised smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With the Remote Software Upgrades function, the new BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring stays up to date with the latest software. It is also possible to test and rebook selected functions in the BMW ConnectedDrive Store.

#Video streaming (ie. via YouTube) and in-car gaming requires a Personal eSIM connection with a Mobile Network Operator. This is planned for release in New Zealand in the second half of 2024.

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Fred Alvrez
How on earth to start this? I've been car/bike/truck crazy since I was a teen. Like John, I had the obligatory Countach poster on the wall. I guess I'm more officially into classic and muscle cars than anything else - I currently have a '65 Sunbeam Tiger that left the factory the same day as I left the hospital as a newborn with my mother. How could I not buy that car? In 2016 my wife and I drove across the USA in a brand-new Dodge Challenger, and then shipped it home. You can read more on www.usa2nz.co.nz. We did this again in 2019 in a 1990 Chev Corvette - you can read about that trip on DriveLife. I'm a driving instructor and an Observer for the Institute of Advanced Motorists - trying to do my bit to make our roads safer.

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