The new BMW 5 Series saloon has been unveiled ahead of a planned start to UK sales for the highly anticipated eighth-generation model in October.
It will initially come with a choice of drivetrains: pureelectric and traditional internal combustion engine. The electric line-up at launch will feature in a pair of i5-badged models - the rear-wheel-drive eDrive 40 and four-wheel-drive M60 xDrive - which have been conceived to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQE, Tesla Model S and upcoming Audi A6 E-tron saloon.
Shortly after its launch later this year, BMW also plans to begin offering plug-in hybrid versions of the new four-door in an expanded line-up that will also include a successor to the 5 Series Touring in early 2024.
The basis for the new 5 Series is BMW's Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform.
It is the same structure that underpins all BMW models featuring either a longitudinally mounted internal combustion engine or electric drivetrain.
Stylistically, the new model adopts the change in design direction at BMW first seen on the iX, with a much more modern look than the model it replaces.
The front is still dominated by BMW's classic kidney grille.
On internal-combustionengine and plug-in hybrid models, the new-look grille receives 14 vertical louvres, but on the pure-electric i5 it sports a blanked-off design in high-gloss black plastic.
Mirroring the latest 7 Series, with which it shares many critical components, the 5 Series has grown in size. Its length has increased by 97mm to 5060mm, width has risen by 32mm to 1900mm and height is up by 36mm to 1515mm. The wheelbase has also gained 20mm, at 2995mm.
Denne historien er fra May 24, 2023-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 24, 2023-utgaven av Autocar UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Poster car that went from rusty to trusty
One evening, two years ago, George Pappas was being driven down his local high street by a mate and mulling over whether to replace his Mk4 Golf diesel, a recent purchase that was boring him to death, when his girlfriend, also in the car, spotted an old BMW 3 Series at the side of the road with a 'for sale' sign in the window.
THE SEVEN-SEATER THAT VOLVO DARE NOT KILL OFF
The current-gen XC90 has been on sale since 2015 for good reason
GENESIS ELECTRIFIED G80
Where the story begins, in the Hyundai premium marque’s luxury saloon
LEXUSLBX
Can you shrink premium quality to fit an SUV this small? We now know
Rolls boss ready to 'define the next chapter'
Nine months into the job, Rolls-Royce CEO and car guy Chris Brownridge tells STEVE CROPLEY what he's learned and where the firm's heading
Once more, with feeling
AC Cars' recreation of the classic MkII Cobra is at first glance a faithful facsimile of a 1960s performance benchmark. SIMON HUCKNALL drives it
MERCEDES-BENZ CLE
Does a PHEV set-up work in a coupé that exudes such old-school vibes?
ANALOGUE SUPERSPORT
Lotus Elise specialist uprates 1990s icon with an eye on track days
ALPINE A290
The hot hatch is alive and well, and living in France. On both road and track, there's much to savour`
UK HANGS ON TO OLD CARS
Average car age climbs as high prices dampen demand for new models
