AN estate car that'll outpace a Porsche 911?

You've got to be kidding!

Nope, the new all electric BMW i5 Touring is electrifying in every way, boasting supercar performance alongside the sort of practicality you generally only get with a big SUV or a large family estate.

Of course, there has to a ‘But'. And in this case it's probably the price, which at nearly £100,000 is hardly a snip. Then there's the range, which at around 250 miles doesn't measure up to the average petrol model, let alone a diesel.

But putting these two ‘quibbles' aside, driving and living with the Munich firm's vision of the future is exciting and dynamically satisfying in terms of refinement, speed and comfort.

We sampled the M60 xDrive version which is the more powerful of the two models available. With no less than 600bhp on tap, it will rocket to the benchmark 62mph in less than four seconds - that's fast by any standards. Top speed is 143mph, which should be fast enough for most.

With the immediate response and linear propulsion that BEVs are fame for, the impact on driver and passengers is immense. Unless you're used to seriously quick cars, it pays to take a bit of time adjusting to the performance and its immediacy.

The abundant power is coupled to four wheel drive which ensures the low profile rubber grip the ground beneath. Steering is light but with a degree of feel that allows you to feel in close contact with the road and the ride is far from over-firm, yet levels of body roll are low.

At low speed there's almost no internal noise, either wind or mechanical. Only under harsh acceleration with your back pinned to the seat does a rather strange but subdued acoustic roar creep into its vocabulary.

Despite its 5 metre-plus size, the Touring neither feels too big or clumsy. Deft dynamics enables it to shrink around the driver.

The spacious cabin follows usual BMW styling with a large rectangular binnacle in front of the driver and extending towards the front passenger, containing most of the necessary touch operated controls and info. All work well and are logical if somewhat regulation and unexciting style-wise.

Seats front and rear are properly shaped and supportive and the rear luggage area is regularly shaped and big enough to absorb 570 litres of luggage. Rear seat fold and split 40-20-40 making it supremely easy for families to live with. Of course, the 5 Series' rather sharp, boxy tail benefits carrying capacity far more than the fashion for sloping, coupe-style rear ends.

The M60's range is given at around 300 miles, but in real world driving - including the use of wipers and heated seats - this comes down to a possible 240-250 miles. Sadly this aspect of a super-fast five-seater rather reduces its grand-touring appeal. The less power M40 version can travel further of a full charge.