BMW i5 EV is a brilliant blend of luxury and tech with pin-sharp handling

THE way people choose a car is: Do I want a BMW or a Merc?

I want a BMW.

Do I want a small, medium or XL-sized BMW?

Medium.

Do I want a crossover or a saloon?

Saloon.

Do I want petrol or electric?

Whatever.

It’s no big deal.

It’s not like you’re signing up to be an astronaut. Electric is just another choice, like the old days with petrol and diesel.

As with everything in life, cost is king. But after that, brand, size and shape are how we decide on our next car.

 Powertrain is low on the list of priorities, just above paint colour.

BMW has recognised this too.

That’s why there are now SEVEN Beemers of all shapes and sizes in petrol and electric — three saloons and four SUVs. Plus a 5 Series estate to come.

So you have the choice.

BMW don’t do anything cheap yet. But then again they do.

 Because cheap BMWs are Minis and there’s a new Mini Cooper and a new Mini Countryman on the way. Both petrol and electric.

Here’s an interesting stat for you. The electric i4 outsold the 3 Series in the UK last year. The sands have shifted.

Everybody used to get a 320d to save themselves company car tax, now they’re getting an i4 to save company car tax.

The car you see here is the new electric i5 saloon, which sits nicely between the i4 and the i7 super limo.

It looks exactly the same as the petrol 520i — minus the tailpipes — and there’s a plug-in hybrid version for those not quite ready to dive in head-first.

The i5 is predictably brilliant, blending the luxury and tech of the i7 with the driving character of the i4.

That means pin-sharp handling and superb body control, as is the rules at BMW, and lots and lots of speed.

The rear-wheel drive eDrive40 is 340hp and has a maximum range of 356 miles. You’ll need to stop before the car does.

The all-singing i5 M60 xDrive is 601hp, 4WD and an absolute weapon.

It’ll do 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds. But range is reduced to 315 miles.

The cabin is glorious. Leather-free Veganza as standard if that’s important to you, crystal-like controls and a slick curved display unit first seen in the i7.

This is also the first Beemer to feature in-car gaming. Or you can watch YouTube while the car recharges.

But I do have a grumble. Why are the door handles upside down? You have to flick a V-sign to open them. Grrr.

Last observation. That front grille is illuminated around the edges. I wasn’t convinced at first but it looks the business at night.

If I was a company car driver, I’d have an i5.

Partly because of the BiK.

But mostly because it’s a BMW.