BMW debuts the eighth-generation 5 Series sedan and the first-ever i5

One may have thought the SUV wave would wash out every other body style in the market, but that hasn’t happened. Even though brands introduce a new iteration of SUV structure, such as coupe SUV, crossover SUV, or even fastback UV, almost every other month, the good old sedan design remains integral to most automakers’ future plans. Case in point, the all-new BMW 5 series.

Last month, Mercedes Benz unveiled an all-new iteration of the E-Class executive sedan, with more cameras, technology, and electrification stuffed inside. The new eighth-generation BMW 5 series follows suit with a similar framework while introducing the all-electric derivative – the i5 encompassing the same design language.

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The new styling gets defined as “clear and reduced design language” by BMW that emphasises sporty elegance. The twin headlights and BMW kidney grille get redesigned, with the former now boasting vertically stacked LED DRLs and the latter featuring a wider surround with optional BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting. The rear is an all-new affair, with the taillight design exhibiting wraparound twin LED strips on either side. The new 5 Series has also grown in length, width and height compared to its predecessor whilst boasting a 20mm extra wheelbase.

For the first time in a BMW, the interior of the new 5 Series gets draped in vegan upholstery. This includes seats, dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel surfaces, which are now offered in leather-free Veganza material as standard. So are the sport seats with comfort seats featuring electrically operated adjustments being available as an optional extra.

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Similar to the new E-Class, the eighth-generation 5 Series boasts a cabin with reduced buttons. Most configurable options now get digitised into the BMW Curved Display sporting two screens – a 12.3-inch Information Display and a 14.9-inch Control Display. The new screen embeds the new and enhanced BMW iDrive system with a “QuickSelect” option showcasing an improved menu structure with a redesigned home screen and vertically arranged function icons on the driver’s side. But more importantly, video streaming is now possible on the Control Display, and so is in-car gaming presented for the first time in the new BMW 5 Series with the AirConsole platform.

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BMW claims the new 5 Series market launch will commence in October 2023. Hence, the only powertrain specifications made available now comprise the all-electric i5. Available in two trims – the M60 xDrive and eDrive40, the former hones the top-spec title with 601hp and upto 820Nm torques while the latter makes do with 340hp and up to 430Nm torques. The i5 will use an 81.2 kWh battery pack with a range rating by WLTP of up to 516kms for the M60 and up to 582kms for the eDrive40.

Like all previous model generations, the new BMW 5 Series will get produced at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, where the electric motors and high-voltage batteries for the BMW i5 are also manufactured.