German car maker, BMW showcased a range of its ICE and electric cars at the GIMS Qatar 2023. However, the highlight at BMW’s pavilion were the Middle East region premieres of the i5 electric sedan and the XM Label Red petrol-hybrid SUV. The XM Label Red is the most powerful M division car ever made by BMW that was showcased at the Geneva International Motor Show.
BMW i5
The i5 is the latest model to join the growing line-up of electric vehicles from BMW that includes the iX, i4 and the i7. The i5 is globally offered in two variants: eDrive40 RWD and M60 xDrive AWD. Both variants of the i5 feature an 81.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The eDrive40 is rated to return a claimed range of around 580km. While the powerful M60 xDrive is claimed to return a range of around 510km.
The i5 electric sedan carries forward BMW’s new striking design language with chiselled front and rear profiles, which is surprising for an electric car. However, things are more subtle on the side with smooth and contoured body panels for maximizing aerodynamic efficiency. The i5 comes equipped with the latest suite of features and tech from BMW including Laser lighting, 14.9-inch infotainment, Level 2+ ADAS and more. The luxury appeal of the 5-Series sedan is not compromised on the i5. As for the electric powertrain figures:
eDrive40
- Max Power: 340hp
- Peak Torque: 430Nm
- 0 to 100km/h: 6 seconds
- Top Speed: 193km/h
M60 xDrive
- Max Power: 601hp
- Peak Torque: 820Nm
- 0 to 100km/h: 3.8 seconds
- Top Speed: 230km/h
BMW XM Label Red
The big SUV from BMW just got meaner with the Label Red upgrades making it the most powerful M model produced by the brand. The XM Label Red starts off as the top-spec model of the standard SUV. Then BMW tunes the 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine to deliver 585hp — 105hp more than the standard model. Further, the XM’s electric powertrain gets a new pre-gearing stage patented by BMW to up the ante on the electric motor’s 280Nm torque output to 450Nm.
- Max Power: 748hp
- Peak Torque: 1000Nm
- 0 to 100km/h: 3.8 seconds
- Top Speed: 290km/h
- Electric Range: 85KM
The newfound power is not the only change on the special-edition SUV, the XM Label Red as the name suggests gets a number of red or black colour touches on the interior trims and the exterior body panels.
DubiCars is covering the GIMS Qatar 2023 motor show live from the event. Stay tuned to our social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, LinkedIn and YouTube to catch the latest reveals, launches and world premieres from the event. Head to DubiCars Blog to read about the events from the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar.
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