Launching Tomorrow: New BMW 5 Series

How does it look? 

Evolutionary. We wouldn't blame you if you mistook it for a 7 Series, either. It's what you’d expect from a modern-day BMW too. All-LED headlamps, active kidney grille, and LED taillamps. The 5 Series in India is expected to get 17-inch alloys for the sethji-spec car, and bigger 18s for the M Sport. 

What are the engine options? 

You get three: One petrol engine, and two diesels. Here's a roundup of the specs:

- BMW 530i: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged, 252PS/380Nm

- BMW 520d: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged, 190PS/400Nm

- BMW 530d: 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder turbocharged, 265PS/620Nm

All engines are paired with BMW's quick shifting 8-speed ZF gearbox, that sends power to the rear wheels. Also, there's no news of BMW introducing a faster petrol in the form of a 540i. The M5 should make its way to India sometime next year, though. 

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What's on the inside? 

Space for four, a lot of leather and soft plastic, and some fancy tech. The 5 Series has borrowed design cues from the 7 Series, and it's a lot more evident on the inside. The dash looks nearly identical and it even gets the fancy gesture control that lets you control the new touchscreen infotainment by simply waving at it.

What's it going to cost? 

For the new 5 Series, we're expecting prices to go slightly north from current levels. We can safely assume a starting sticker price of around Rs 55 lakh for the 530i, going all the way up to Rs 70 lakh for the top-spec 530d M Sport. 

I'm not convinced. What are my options? 

Your German alternatives include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6. You also have the option of looking at the Volvo S90 and the Jaguar XF. 

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