A few weeks after Mercedes revealed its 2024 E-Class, BMW is responding with a facelifted 5 Series. Known as the "G60", this sedan offers a global choice of petrol, diesel, hybrid and all-electric powertrains. Whatever you want, you can find in it - well, unless you want a V8 version, because the M550i won't be available for now, at least.
If I could the new 5 series described in one word, it would be "evolutionary". BMW decided not to follow the controversial style found on the models 7 series, X7 and XM. This time they played familiar cards and emotions. Five is the most important model. Domagoj Dukec, head of design at BMW, said that the goal is to create "the most elegant BMW". This statement was made at a private unveiling of the new model, ahead of today's world premiere.
Did they succeed? Judge for yourself. Dukec emphasized that the team did not play it safe as a "reaction to criticism due to the appearance of the XM models or 7 series". He added that buyers of these larger cars want to show off their valuables, while the typical 5 Series buyer wants something more conservative. As a result, there is no huge air gap surrounded by split headlights. Dukec describes the design of the car as "almost more Italian than previous BMWs".
As you can see from the official pictures, it is new 5 series much larger. The length is increased by 8.6 cm to 506 cm, the width by 3.3 cm to 190 cm, and thanks to the battery for the i5 model, the height is increased by 3.5 cm to 151.5 cm. The wheelbase has been increased by 2 cm to 299.5 cm, and the drag coefficient is 0.23. Which is great and commendable. Well, at least here BMW does not sin excessively when it comes to electrification.
While the new BMW 5 Series – as the exterior is not completely different from the old model, the interior has been completely redesigned. BMW used the dual screen, but with a novelty, as the new 5 Series uses the iDrive 8.5, which is shared with the recently launched i7 M70. It promises a more intuitive user interface with QuickSelect functionality that allows group shortcuts on the home screen without having to navigate through submenus. Screen size remains unchanged from the other models, as you still get a 12.3-inch driver display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen.
Trunk capacity - new BMW 5 series – is 520 liters for petrol and hybrid versions and 490 liters for the electric version. If the 40:20:40 folding of the rear bench still doesn't provide the necessary volume, the more practical 5 Series Touring will be available next spring, which will go on sale in Europe with all kinds of powertrains.
Under the hood, the 5 Series lineup in the U.S. begins with the base 530i model. This one has a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 255bhp and 400Nm, up 7bhp and 51Nm from before. The four-cylinder engine sends power to the rear wheels and allows the 530i to reach 100 km/h (60 mph) in 5.9 seconds. Surcharge 530i xDrive reduces acceleration time by a tenth of a second.
Next up is the 540i, which is only available with all-wheel drive. Its 3.0-litre straight-six engine has undergone improvements and now produces 375 hp and 520 Nm, which is an increase of 40 hp and 70 Nm. Thanks to mild hybrid technology, it briefly reaches 540 Nm, reducing the acceleration time from 0-100 km/h to just 4.5 seconds.
If you're ready to go electric, the i5 is available in eDrive40 and M60 versions. The former has a single rear-mounted engine that produces 340 hp and 400 Nm (430 Nm with overboost) and reaches 100 km/h in 6 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 193 km/h (120 mph). The other uses a dual motor with power 601 hp and 745 Nm (820 Nm with overboost).
This electric one M Performance version reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from rest in just 3.8 seconds and continues to accelerate until it reaches the electronic limit at 230 km/h (143 mph). Both zero-emission versions share a useful capacity battery pack 84.3 kWh. BMW estimates that the RWD model will travel 475 km per charge, while the more powerful AWD version should achieve at least 412 km.
The G60 represents the first production BMW model to support lane changing with eye activation. Simply look in one of the side mirrors and let the car do all the work. Ok, it's not that simple, as the 5 Series must be equipped with the optional Driving Assistant Professional, which includes a motorway assistant that works at speeds up to 140 km/h. Eye activation only works when the car suggests a lane change and the driver confirms the shift by looking in the relevant rearview mirror. This will give BMW owners another reason not to use turn signals.
This eighth generation 5er is also the first BMW to be offered with a completely vegan interior design. As for the cabin, the standard sliding-angle sunroof can be optionally replaced with a panoramic sunroof, which increases the view by almost 90 percent and extends over almost the entire surface of the roof.
The new BMW 5 Series will have its global market launch in October. In the US, the 530i starts at $57,900, followed by the 530i xDrive at $60,200 and the 540i xDrive at $64,900. The i5 eDrive40 retails from $66,800, while the i5 M60 is available from $84,100. It's worth noting that the 540i xDrive will arrive a bit later, as production won't start until November. BMW USA mentions that a hybrid version will be introduced at some point in 2024. We have not yet received a price list for Europe at the time of writing.
Important pmotors in Europe!
BMW 520d xDrive:
In-line four-cylinder diesel engine, 48-volt mild hybrid technology, 8-speed Steptronic gearbox, BMWxDrive complete vehicle drive:
Power output: 145 kW/197 hp, torque: 400 Nm (243 Ib-ft)*
BMW 520i:
In-line four-cylinder gasoline engine, 48-volt mild hybrid technology, 8-speed Steptronic gearbox, total vehicle drive:
Power output: 153 kW/208 hp, torque: 330 Nm (243 Ib-ft)*.
BMW sold 5 2024 series also as 520i, 520d and 520d xDrive models in Europe. They will be joined in Europe by the 530e and 550e xDrive next spring. Additionally, there are also plans to introduce a six-cylinder diesel to the Old Continent sometime in 2024, when another xDrive-equipped i5 model will be introduced, likely positioned below the M60.
