The new BMW i5 M60 xDrive is in the final phase of its development – part of this chapter is driver testing under challenging conditions. Making an appearance on the list of locations is the icy test site in Arjeplog, Sweden. Not only does the all-electric powertrain have to prove itself here, but the chassis and control systems of the BMW M GmbH performance model will also receive their final tuning near the Arctic Circle. BMW M engineers Michael Tobias, Functional Design and Integration Powertrain, and Daniel Mögele, Functional Design and Integration Driving Dynamics are part of the development team. We met with them for an interview.
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive opens a new chapter in the history of the sports sedan that hails from Munich. What virtues does every performance 5-series, and thus also the new generation, have to fulfil?
Daniel Mögele: The BMW 5 Series has always been a model that is all about sovereignty, safety, comfort and driving pleasure. This is a well-balanced vehicle all round, which is given its sportiest expression in the powerful Performance model. In other words, it has even more power and even better driving dynamics than the already sporty base model. We have also combined all these characteristics into the new BMW i5 M60 xDrive.
Michael Tobias: The powertrain of the BMW 5 Series, particularly in the i5 M60 xDrive performance model, is designed to elegantly combine exhilarating driving dynamics and a high level of comfort. The goal was to achieve a range from absolute sovereignty and comfort to the ultimate expression of the dynamics that M is known for combined with the directness of the powertrain. And we have succeeded in doing just that with the new, all-electric powertrain.
The goal with the BMW i5 M60 xDrive was to achieve a range from absolute sovereignty and comfort to the ultimate expression of the dynamics that M is known for combined with the directness of the powertrain. And we have succeeded in doing just that with the new, all-electric powertrain.
An all-electric BMW i5 navigating snow and ice in the Arctic Circle: How does that work?
Michael Tobias: At BMW and BMW M, we are building on a wealth of experience in electric drives. The BMW i5 M60 xDrive offers the customer precise drive tuning on ice and snow. The drive does exactly what the customer specifies it to do with the accelerator pedal.
In cold temperatures, the batteries are heated to reach operating temperature – just as an internal combustion engine needs to be warmed up first when driving at at sub-zero temperatures. The entire system from the energy storage unit to the e-motor works so smoothly that there are no restrictions for the customer. What's more, with the e-drive, the interior can simply be preheated to the desired temperature – there is no need for a parking heater as with a conventional drive with a combustion engine.
Daniel Mögele: The electric powertrain offers even more possibilities in terms of driving dynamics on loose surfaces such as snow, ice, or wet surfaces. The high dynamics of the driveline combined with the actuator-related wheel slip limitation, abbreviated ARB, is even superior to vehicles with combustion engines. This results in perfect traction, as the system keeps all four wheels in the optimum grip range. Driving performance in the BMW i5 is correspondingly better on surfaces with low friction values than in vehicles with a comparably powerful combustion engine powertrain. This is particularly evident when it is driven at the limit. In terms of precision, it's a completely different world with an electric vehicle.
Have elements of the current BMW 5 Series been adopted after proving their worth, or is everything on this model entirely new?
Daniel Mögele: The BMW i5 M60 xDrive is a completely new vehicle concept, that's for sure. The entire structure is significantly stiffer simply because of the large battery storage unit in the underbody, which we naturally take advantage of when tuning the driving dynamics. The key here is the connection of the axles to the chassis. On the other hand, there are elements in the front and rear axle area where we also fall back on proven concepts and adapt them to the requirements in the new vehicle.
Michael Tobias: The BMW i5 M60 xDrive takes full advantage of all the benefits this concept brings. The vehicle structure designed for this drive can implement our requirements in an optimal way. That's great. It’s the Ultimate Electric Driving Machine!
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive takes full advantage of the driving dynamics benefits offered by the vehicle concept.
What was the feedback like from the Red Bull Driftbrothers who visited you for a test drive during the driver trials in Arjeplog?
Daniel Mögele: Their visit was a real highlight for the fine-tuning work. The feedback from the two of them once again encouraged us in our work and proved to us that we are on the right track. When it came to handling, you could see immediately that the two of them could feel every single detail: How does the front axle behave? What does the rear axle do when braking? How does the car behave when accelerating? The two of them are true professionals with whom the collaboration was not only fun, but also incredibly informative for us and our development of this car.
What were the biggest challenges in preparing for the shoot?
Daniel Mögele: We didn't have any time to prepare. Joe and Eli Hountondji came by during our working hours. Of course, we swept the garage again beforehand ...
Michael Tobias: Since it was really the two test vehicles being used to make the recordings, we didn't change anything. Four new tires, that's it!
How does it feel to see the car you worked on for so long now in the filming with the Red Bull Driftbrothers?
Michael Tobias: Like a big victory in a soccer final! But seriously, in a way, it really feels like we received a trophy for the development work, which we were both allowed to accept on behalf of the whole team.
Daniel Mögele: It's a fantastic feeling and a great conclusion to the time we put into developing this vehicle. You have to remember that there is a huge team behind the BMW i5 M60 xDrive that made this car possible. So, it was an honor for both of us to be part of this film.
Presidents don't run, but they can - that sums up the character of the BMW i5 M60 quite well.
What are you particularly proud of in the new BMW i5 M60 xDrive?
Michael Tobias: On the incredibly versatile character of the drive and vehicle. That customers can immediately feel when they enter and start the i5 M60: Yes, this is a performance model from BMW M, and I don't have to sacrifice sportiness or comfort here.
Daniel Mögele: When I think of the BMW i5 M60 xDrive, I always think of the saying “Presidents don't run, but they can”. The premise of this project was that the model had to be a true BMW – confident, precise, dynamic – with TOP all-round characteristics. It needed to master all the disciplines of driving. As a whole team, we are more than a little bit proud of the result.
Thank you for the interview, we really appreciate it!
