by The Bavarian company recently presented the new generation of the BMW 5 Series in the G60 body. From now on (for the first time in the model’s history), there are not only cars with classic ICE and hybrids but also electric vehicles. The transition from the G30 to the G60 body has brought many changes to the Bavarian “fives.”
Dimensions
Firstly, the car has become noticeably larger: the length has increased by almost 10 cm, now exceeding the five-meter mark, the width by 3.2 cm, and the height by 3.6 cm.
The wheelbase increased not so significantly, just by 2 cm, and the trunk even decreased in size—from 530 to 520 liters (480 liters in the electric versions). Meanwhile, the ground clearance has increased by a centimeter.
New Design and Interior
Secondly, the Bavarian “five” received a new design. While externally the differences from the predecessor are not so noticeable (fortunately, there is no split-level optics, but there are recessed door handles, illuminated “nostrils,” and an aerodynamic tail), the interior has been radically changed. However, all interior innovations are echoed by other new BMW models.
The car lost the traditional “cue booth” on the dashboard: it was replaced by a 12.3-inch display. There are fewer buttons on the front panel—system controls are displayed on a 14.9-inch screen combined with an electronic “instrument cluster.” Although this screen is touchscreen, BMW retained the traditional iDrive joystick on the central tunnel. Physical buttons on the steering wheel and under the central screen have also been replaced with touch-sensitive ones but with haptic feedback. A touch panel on the door cards is available as an option.
Rear passengers, in addition to more legroom, can enjoy optional 4-zone climate control, heated seats, and a luxurious view through the 84 cm long panoramic glass roof. The buyer can even choose one of three vegan artificial leather variants for the new BMW 5 series interior. All of them are manufactured without using animal-derived products. For your vegan interior, six design and color combinations are available.
Chassis and Specifications
The novelty inherited the CLAR platform from its predecessor, with double-wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link at the rear, optional air suspension, and rear-wheel steering. However, the engine lineup has changed. All ICE versions are now equipped with an 8-speed automatic with an integrated starter-generator, making them hybrids. The weakest petrol “five,” BMW 520i, develops 190 hp, but thanks to the electric assistant, the total output of the power unit is 208 hp, and it accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The base sedan is rear-wheel drive, while the xDrive all-wheel drive is only available for the senior modifications, BMW 530i and 540i, with power output of 258 and 381 hp respectively (including the electric motor). Diesel versions have so far been reduced to a single BMW 520d, which develops 197 hp and accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. Here, you can choose between rear and full drive. Next year, new diesel “sixes” are promised, as well as plug-in hybrids.
Electric BMW i5
Electric BMW i5 models will be available from the start of sales. The base rear-wheel-drive version i5 eDrive40 has one electric motor with a peak power of 340 hp, allowing it to reach 100 km/h in 6 seconds. The all-wheel-drive BMW i5 M60 xDrive is equipped with two motors: 261 hp at the front and 340 hp at the rear. The peak power output of the tandem is 601 hp, and this version accelerates to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds! The claimed range of the “electric vehicles” varies from 497 to 455 km.
Specifications
- Type of powertrain – electric
- Power in kW (hp) – 442 (601)
- Torque in Nm – 795
- Transmission 1-speed, automatic
- Drive type – All-wheel drive
- (Nominal) power/30-minute power in kW (hp) – 127 (173)/-
- Acceleration 0–100 km/h in seconds – 3.8
- Maximum speed in km/h – 230
- Energy consumption (combined cycle WLTP) in kWh/100 km – 20.6 – 18.2
- Electric range, WLTP in km – 455-516
- Battery capacity in kWh – 81.2
- Charging time DC 10–80% in minutes – 30
- Charging time AC 0–100% in hours – 4.25
- Added range after 10 minutes of powerful charging in km – 146
Sales of the new BMW 5 Series will start in the fall, but prices are already known. In Germany, the cheapest “five” with ICE will cost 57,550 euros, and the minimum price for the electric BMW i5 starts at 70,200 euros. Also, it is worth mentioning that in the spring, the Bavarians promise to launch a station wagon in the G61 body. When it will be possible to buy the new 2024 BMW 5 in Ukraine is still officially unknown, but there is information that it will already be available from the fall of 2023 (at the same time as the planned start of sales in Europe).
