It’s probably not how the team at BMW would have wanted to launch the update to the top-selling 5 Series, but at times like these, they have had to adapt to the circumstances. On the 27th of May, the new BMW 5 Series launch was streamed online to the globe via BMW’s official website and here’s a quick run-through of everything we know so far…
So, what has changed?
Aesthetically, not a huge amount, in all honestly. You’ve got to remember that BMW has already sold 600,000 of these 5 Series models, so a facelift was always going to be somewhat restrained. Pardon the cliché but you don’t fix what isn’t broken. Eagle-eyed readers will just about notice that the famous BMW kidney grilles have swollen in size, both taller and wider.
These grilles are accompanied by a pair of all-new headlights. These lights are slimmer and they can house ‘Laserlight’ units or you can upgrade to the adaptive LED lights. The taillights have changed too, and they’re now similar to those you’d find at the back of the new 3 Series.
The major changes that come with this facelift are only noticeable when you set foot inside the cabin of the new 5 Series. A 12.3-inch infotainment system now demands your attention from centre stage, and within this screen lies BMW’s new operating system (OS) and their onboard personal assistant. Inside this OS is a computer that uses all the latest radars and cameras to operate things like lane-keeping, automatic braking and so on.
There is also now a range of hybrid options for the 5 Series Touring, which have only previously been available for the Saloon model. There are five different plug-in hybrid models to choose from and all of the are capable of returning a pretty solid 42 miles of electric-only driving on one full charge.
The petrol-heads among us will be elated to know that for the first time in the UK, BMW will be introducing the M550i xDrive model as the range-topping 5 Series. This performance model will pack a whopping 523 horsepower courtesy of a lovely big V8. This is an engine that’s been available on the continent since last year, but only now are us Brits allowed to get our hands on it.
If a big V8 isn’t for you, but you still want plenty of power from your 5 Series, there’s a pretty sensible sounding middle ground in the BMW 545e xDrive. This model is a plug-in hybrid (see the ‘e’) but it combines with a straight-6 engine to provide a combined power output of 389 horsepower. It seems like the best of both worlds when it comes to performance and sustainability.
In terms of pricing, the new 5 Series will be slightly more expensive than the outgoing model. The entry-level SE model starts from £37,480 and prices go all the way up to £67,595.
If you think you’re interested in the new 5 Series, then why not order a brochure or book a test drive at your local dealership? They’d love to hear from you when they re-open on the 1st of June.
