New BMW 5 Series Takes LWB Route To Go Head On Against Mercedes Benz E-Class, Launch On July 24

• BMW 5 Series LWB revealed in India, first time getting extended wheelbase

• It is the third long wheelbase BMW car in India after the 3 and 7 series

• Exterior gets M Sport treatment for a sportier look

• Dual curved displays include a 14.9-inch driver’s and 12.3-inch infotainment display

• New interior gets vegan material all around 

• India-spec model expected to get two variants: 520i and 520d

• Launch on July 24

The executive sedan of the BMW range, the 5 series, received a whole new generational upgrade back in May 2023. Almost a year later, the new-generation sedan made its way to India in its electric i5 M60 XDrive guise and now, the standard 5 Series has been revealed on our shores in its long-wheel base (LWB) avatar, a first for the nameplate. It is the third LWB sedan in India after the 3 and 7 series, and will launch on July 24. Here’s what’s new:

5 Series Design

BMW is offering the new-gen 5 Series in the M Sport guise in India, which brings in a few aggressive styling elements. The standard sedan was already more angular and sharper than the outgoing mode, and the M Sport trim just dials up that aggressiveness. 

BMW’s signature kidney grille dominates the nose (not as much as the M4, though), and is flanked by the sleek headlights. Ofcourse, the grille wasn’t alluring enough apparently, so BMW has illuminated it. That is a familiar move, and so are the sharp cuts and creases for the bumper. 

The front and rear web-like 5-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels look miles apart from each other – that’s how long the wheelbase is (3105mm to be precise). Styling is rather simple in profile, but you do get the M badging on the front fender, and the ‘5’ numbering on the C-pillar. Simple or not, there’s no scarcity of contrasting elements with the black side skirts and the champagne gold elements defining the window line.

The simplicity of the design is thrown out the box at the rear, where you again get a bunch of rather angular and sharp elements. The shoulder line comes to an end and connects with the extending flat tail lights seamlessly. The horizontal LED elements within them look striking and so does the rear bumper, which gets diffuser-like elements, likely just for aesthetic purposes.

5 Series Interior

The interior of the new gen BMW 5 Series looks right out of the future. Big screens take up most of the dashboard real estate with a free standing 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.9-inch infotainment system. We bet you won’t be able to spot the air vents as they are neatly hidden within the dashboard. 

The central console gets a bunch of crystal elements, which looks chic and BMW’s really proud of the entire cabin being made up entirely of vegan materials. That is a first for BMW as the animal-friendly materials also extend to the steering wheel and door pads, and not just the seats and dashboard. While the use of ambient lighting is usually tasteful in luxury vehicles, BMW has gone the extra mile to add some further flavours. The strip in the middle that runs across the dashboard is part of it and gets numerous hue options.

In terms of features, there are the aforementioned screens which get wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, there’s ambient lighting, heads-up display, gesture control and a 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround sound system. There’s surprisingly no media control for the rear passengers and no sun shades as well, but they will appreciate the two type-C ports for keeping their gadgets charged. 

Standard safety equipment includes names of electronic aids you’ve never heard of such as directly controlled wheel slip limitation, cornering brake assist, trailer stability control, multiple airbags, and tyre pressure monitoring system. NO ADAS????

5 Series Powertrain

The international-spec 5 series gets tons of powertrain options, including plug-in hybrids, but the India-spec model is expected to come in two mild-hybrid guises: 520i and 520d. 

Both get a 48-V mild hybrid system with an electric motor attached to their 8-speed automatic transmissions. The 520i gets a 4-cylinder 2-litre twin-turbo petrol engine with a combined output of 208PS and 330Nm. It takes 7.5 seconds for a sprint from 0-100kmph and can do speeds of up to 230kmph.

The 520d gets a 4-cylinder 2-litre twin-turbo diesel engine with a combined output of 197PS and 400Nm. It can do 0-100kmph in 7.3 seconds, while the top speed is capped at 233kmph.

5 Series Price and rivals

A price reveal for the new-gen BMW 5 Series will have to wait until July 24.

But we reckon it could be priced from around the Rs 75 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. When launched, it’ll put up a tougher fight against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E Class, Audi A6, and Volvo S90