BMW iX5 has a lot of power and a huge battery, final testing commences

BMW's upcoming iX5 is now in its final testing phase. The company is performing the "final calibration" before production starts at BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The iX5 60 xDrive version, which will launch first, develops 425kW of power (578 hp) from its two motors (one at the front axle and one at the rear), and has a huge battery with a usable capacity of 144kWh in the USA and 141kWh in Europe. This is, in fact, the largest high-voltage battery to be fitted in an all-electric BMW model to date.

The iX5 uses an 800V architecture and cylindrical cells. Wheels of up to 23" can be specified, and are mixed-size as standard to enhance comfort, stability, and dynamism. There will also be a two-axle air suspension on offer with electronically controlled dampers, Integral Active Steering, and active roll stabilization.

The Motorway and City Assistant will be optional. This includes Entry-2-Exit assistance on motorways and Address-2-Address assistance in urban areas, with the driver always staying involved "as human and artificial intelligence interact", BMW says in its press release. You can accelerate, steer, and brake if you want without the system instantly turning off.

Safety functions include automated evasive maneuvering in the car's own lane, Lane Change Warning, Side Collision Warning with steering intervention, Crossing Traffic Warning, automatic braking when turning into a road or exiting a parking space, and Lane Keeping Assistant, which only warns and steers when you really are drifting out of your lane unintentionally or an impending collision is detected.

In 2028, BMW plans to launch a hydrogen-powered version, which features an innovative "flat storage" system. This uses the third-generation of the fuel cell system with "a particularly compact design" as well as high power and efficiency. There are seven high-pressure tanks made of a carbon-fibre reinforced composite, connected in parallel and integrated into a metal frame. The company promises that no room is lost inside the cabin.