By Otsile Kadiege

The BMW 5 Series nameplate is one of the best executive sedans money can buy. Now in its eighth-generation, the newcomer ushers in a fully-electric powertrain (diesel and petrol engines are still available), BMW latest design philosophy, groundbreaking technologies, heightened levels of luxury using sustainable materials and advanced driver assistance systems to name a few.

Modern exterior design

On the outside, the new 5-Series sedan sports a modern and athletic design with a handful of design cues adopted from other new models from BMW. Highlights include a sporty, aggressive-looking front with a sculpted bonnet and signature BMW kidney grille with optional BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting. The grille is flanked by angular LED headlights with two nearly vertical LED elements positioned towards the outside function as daytime running lights and turn signals. Customers can opt for Matrix high beams and M Shadow Line lights.

The new 5-Series has a clean and uncluttered profile with two character lines, BMW’s traditional Hofmeister kink with with an embossed number 5 and different coloured side skirts. As standard, the 5-Series is shod with 18-inch light alloy wheels. The i5 and plug-in hybrid derivatives get 19-inch wheels as standard. Customers can opt for aerodynamically optimised 21-inch BMW Individual wheels. At the rear, highlights include slim LED taillights with an L-shaped chrome strip and a prominent black lower bumper section for M Sport models. Customers ca opt for the M Sport Pro package for the first time.

Compared to the predecessor model, the new edition has grown in length by 97 millimetres to 5,060 millimetres, in width by 32 millimetres to 1,900 millimetres and in height by 36 millimetres to 1,515 millimetres. Its wheelbase was lengthened by 20 millimetres to 2,995 millimetres.

Luxurious, high-tech interior

Inside, the new 5-Series looks modern, high-tech and luxurious. Highlights include a newly designed multifunctional steering wheel, an integrated BMW Curved Display featuring a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.3-inch touch display, BMW operating system 8.5 with in-car gaming courtesy of AirConsole platform, BMW Head-Up display with optional Augmented View, a new centre console with shift-by-wire gear selector and BMW My Modes buttons, optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system and standard BMW Live Cockpit Plus with cloud-based navigation system.

As standard, the new 5-Series is fitted with sport seats. Comfort seats are optional and base models without M Sport package gets a fully vegan interior.

Advanced assistance systems

A significantly expanded range of systems for partially automated driving and parking is available as standard or as an option for the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. The highlight of the range is the optional Driving Assistant Professional including Steering and Lane Control Assist and Distance Control with Stop & Go function. It is also equipped with Parking Assistant, including Reversing Assist, as standard. With the optional Parking Assistant Professional, automated parking and manoeuvring of up to 200 metres can be controlled in the vehicle or by smartphone outside the vehicle.

Electric i5 performance

As mentioned above, the new 5-Series is available with a fully electric powertrain for the first time called the i5. The all-electric BMW i5 is equipped with extensively enhanced fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology and is being launched in two variants. The BMW i5 M60 xDrive which combines an up to 442 kW drive with hallmark M performance and specific design features. Two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles make up an electric all-wheel drive. The system torque generated is up to 820 Nm when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated. This enables the BMW i5 M60 to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.8 seconds, its top speed is electrically limited to 230 km/h.

The BMW i5 eDrive40 is also available. Its electric motor drives the rear wheels and generates a maximum output of 250 kW and a maximum torque of up to 430 Nm with Sport Boost or Launch Control function. The BMW i5 eDrive40 accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, its top speed is 193 km/h.

The high-voltage battery is located in the underbody and provides a usable energy content of 81.2 kWh. In addition to the electric motors, the latest version of adaptive recuperation and an intelligent combination of heat pump technology for heating and cooling the interior, drive and high-voltage battery contribute to the long range. The respective WLTP values are 455 – 516 kilometres for the BMW i5 M60 xDrive and 497 – 582 kilometres for the BMW i5 eDrive40. With the new ‘MAX RANGE’ function, the range can be increased by up to 25 percent if required by limiting power and speed and deactivating comfort functions.

The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) of the BMW i5 enables AC charging with an output of up to 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option. The high-voltage battery can be charged with direct current with a power of up to 205 kW. For example, the battery charge level in the BMW i5 can be raised from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

Petrol and diesel engines

Customers can still opt for new petrol and diesel engines with 48V mild hybrid technology. The four-cylinder BMW 5-Series models include the 520i Sedan model with 153 kW, the BMW 520d Sedan and the BMW 520d xDrive Sedan with 145 kW each. The model range will be supplemented by two variants with plug-in hybrid drives of the latest generation. A new in-line six-cylinder diesel engine will be available for the BMW 5 Series from 2024.

Availability

The market launch of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan will begin in the fourth quarter of 2023. The new model generation will be offered worldwide with all-electric drive and highly efficient diesel engines including 48-volt mild hybrid technology in South Africa. The BMW i5 eDrive40 and the BMW 530e Plug-In Hybrid will not be offered in South Africa.

It will be produced at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, where the electric motors and high-voltage batteries for the BMW i5 are also manufactured.