New Generation BMW 5 Series Revealed Alongside All-Electric i5 Derivative, Global Launch In October

• New gen BMW 5 Series revealed alongside all-electric i5 derivatives.

• Updated styling gives it a more upmarket feel with a blend of sportiness and sophistication.

• i5 gets two variant options: eDrive40 and M60 xDrive.

• Both all-electric powertrains get a 81.2kWh battery with a max WLTP claimed range of 582km

• Standard 5 series gets petrol and diesel engine options paired with a 48-V mild-hybrid technology

• Plug-in hybrid and six-cylinder variants will be made available in 2024

• Will be launched in global markets by October 2023

BMW has finally revealed the highly anticipated new gen 5 Series alongside its all electric derivative called the i5. Both look largely similar with only a few bit setting them apart visually. Both get multiple powertrain options, some of which haven't been revealed yet and will be made available sometime next year. Here's everything you need to know about the new luxury sedan from the Bavarians: 

Design

The 5 Series has always been a model that blends sophistication with hints of sportiness. That still is the case for this eighth generation model which makes use of sleek LED headlights with vertical DRL elements housed within. 

The slightly tilted kidney grille isn’t the biggest of all BMWs and is illuminated as well, while the front bumper styling is very familiarly BMW with sharp cuts and creases for the flanking intakes. Dapper looking 18-inch alloy wheels are offered as standard on the standard 5 series, while a 19-inch unit is standard on the i5 and plug-in hybrid variants.

The flat tail lights, which extend towards the rear quarter panel, are also slim and comprise horizontally running LEDs. But if you want something that is more heavy on the sporty front, the M60 derivative is the one for you. It gets dark carbon fibre elements all around, giving the exterior colour a contrasting look. Even the grille has been blacked out here and you also get an M-specific diffuser.

Cabin

In typical modern BMW fashion, the cabin has a generous use of big screens with a free standing 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 14.9-inch infotainment system, integrated onto a single bezel. The air vents are neatly hidden within the dashboard and the integration is so neat that you actually cannot spot where the vent actually is. 

In a first ever for BMW, the entire cabin of the 5 series makes use of vegan material all around, including the seat surfaces, the dashboard, door panels, as well as the steering wheel. 

In terms of features, you get your usual stuff like the wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, ambient lighting, heads-up play, gesture control and the latest BMW operating system lets you play in car games, just like a Tesla lets you.

These gimmicks aside, BMW has also made ADAS available with the new 5 Series but only as an optional extra. The kit includes lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and even parking assistance. The latter is actually a standard functionality which helps make parking in tight spaces a breeze.

Powertrains

Lets begin with the deets of the all-new i5’s powertrain first. Both its variants come with a 81.2kWh battery pack which feeds power to the 340PS electric motor or the 601PS electric motor in the case of the M60 variant. Ofcourse, the less powerful trim offers a better WLTP claimed range of up to 582km in comparison to the M60’s maximum 516km. 

A 11kW charger is offered as standard, while the battery has a charging capacity of up to 205kW. Using the latter, the battery is juiced up from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes.

The i5 boasts a unique technology, which comes in handy when the battery charge is running low. Called the MAX RANGE function, it helps increase the range by up to 25 percent by limiting various comfort functions and even the power and speed. 

Coming to the specifications of the standard 5 series is where it gets a bit tricky, thanks to the abounding permutation and combinations available. There is a 208PS 2.0-litre petrol and 197PS 2-litre diesel on offer with a 48V mild hybrid system, and both are geared using an 8-speed automatic unit. 

Two variants with plug-in hybrid tech, along with a new in-line six-cylinder diesel engine will be offered post-2024. As for the i5, it’ll also get a new variant in its lineup, which will boast all-wheel drive capabilities. 

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BMW will begin to launch the 5 series and the i5 in global markets by October 2023, so a launch in India for the 5 series could take place sometime around February 2024, while the i5 could follow soon after. Expect it to carry a premium over the current model which goes up to Rs 68.90 lakh for its top-spec trim. The i5 will be more expensive than the i4 and could be priced at Rs 1 crore (ex-showroom) With all the updates, the 5 Series will make a stronger case for itself against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E Class, Audi A6, and Volvo S90.