Introduction: A German Executive Masterpiece
Ladies and gentlemen, behold the BMW 5 Series—an executive sedan that’s been a staple since 1972. We’re now in 2024, gazing at the eighth-generation variant. BMW has brought us a car that’s not just a machine, but a statement. The expected range might start at an ex-showroom price of about INR 70 lakhs and will go up to INR 85 lakhs for the top model. If you want to go all out, the high-performance electric version, the i5 M60, will set you back a cool INR 1.19 crore.
The Pre-Launch Tease
This is the pre-launch model, so expect a few tweaks by the time it hits Indian roads on July 24th. Codenamed G68, this generation of the 5 Series promises to be a head-turner.
Legacy and Popularity
The 5 Series is BMW’s second best-selling model after the 3 Series, with over 1 crore units sold worldwide. Designed by Anders Thøgersen, this car is assembled in India, Germany, and China. So, you know, it’s like a world tour on wheels.
Design and Dimensions
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive is the mantra here, with no xDrive all-wheel drive option for India. Built on the Cluster Architecture (CLAR II) platform, which also underpins the iX and the 7 Series, it boasts an illuminated Sharknose Kidney Grille that makes it look like it’s ready to chomp down on lesser cars.
The four-eyed face with Adaptive LED twin headlights, DRLs, cornering lights, BMW Selective Beam, and Matrix high beam adds to its aggressive persona. Hofmeister kink with illuminated “5” embossing? Check. Electrically adjustable auto-dimming outside mirrors with turn indicators and cameras? Double-check. It’s like the car is always ready for its close-up.
Size Matters
At 5.2 meters in length, 1.9 meters in width, and 1.5 meters in height, this car is not just a sedan; it’s a land yacht. Weighing in at around 2100 kg, it’s 212 mm longer than its predecessor. So, if you thought size doesn’t matter, BMW begs to differ.
It rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels with an option for 19-inchers. You’ll get Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres, size 225/55 R18 102Y, ensuring you’re glued to the road.
Colors and Features Galore
The sparkling copper grey color is eye-catching, but it also comes in M Carbon black and other options. If you’re lucky, you might even get it in Aventurine Red on 24th July.
Lights and Safety
The rear features a diffuser and four slim horizontal L-shaped LED tail lights. Safety-wise, it’s got a 5-star rating from Euro NCAP. Clearly, BMW wants you to be safe and stylish. Borrowing design and tech from the iX and 7 Series, this car is like a greatest hits album on wheels.
Optional four-wheel steering that turns the rear wheels up to 2.5 degrees. It’s like your car learned some dance moves and can now do the cha-cha on demand.
Up front, you get double-wishbone suspension. At the back, it’s multilink suspension. So, whether you’re driving over potholes or pretending to be in a Fast and Furious movie, your ride stays smoother than a jazz saxophone solo.
Parking Assistant and Driving Assistant Professional features are here to help. It’s like having your own robotic valet and a co-pilot who’s always awake and alert, unlike your usual passengers.
While the standard wheelbase is available elsewhere, India gets the long wheelbase variant. Because, in India, we like everything a bit longer—our highways, our cricket matches, and now, our sedans. Clear reduced design language with athletic proportions. It’s like the car has been hitting the gym and the library, looking smart and buff at the same time.
Safety features include 8 airbags, Collision Prevention System, Tire pressure monitoring, warning triangle, keyless entry, and a whole lot more. It’s practically a mobile fortress, ready to fend off anything from fender benders to errant shopping carts.
Interior Luxury and Tech Overload
Inside, it’s like stepping into a sci-fi movie. With a 500-litre boot space, 3 kg capacity hooks, and integrated flush door openers, you’re ready for anything.
The 18-speaker, 655-watt Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System will make you feel like you’re at a concert. The brown Veganza Perforated vegan leather upholstery ensures you’re seated in luxury. The travel and comfort system with plug-in couplings, though, will make you question how you ever lived without it.
Tech and Comfort
Sadly, the theater screen isn’t available in India, but you do get the Crafted Clarity Glass Application with BMW Interaction Bar, wood trim, light carpet, and a BMW Curved Display.
Comfort seats with ventilation, a sport steering wheel with variable ratio, and a ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission make driving a pleasure. The 4-zone automatic AC with nanoparticle filters even lets you regulate temperature in the front footwell. Because, why not?
The 14.9-inch iDrive 8.5 touchscreen infotainment system runs on a Linux operating system, supporting in-car gaming, USB, QuickSelect, voice recognition, in-car camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FM, Remote Software Upgrades, BMW ID, 5G, and radio. It’s like having a tech fair inside your car.
Power and Performance
Under the hood, you’ll find a 1998 cc, inline-4 cylinder, turbocharged BMW B48 petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It cranks out 258 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, doing 0-100 kmph in 6.5 seconds with a top speed limited to 250 kmph and an average of 14 kmpl. The 60-litre fuel tank ensures you’re not stopping every few kilometers for a refill.
There’s also a diesel variant with the same 1995 cc, inline-4 cylinder engine. This B48 petrol engine is versatile, found in the 7 Series, 6 Series, 3 Series, Z4, 4 Series, Toyota Supra, and Morgan Plus Four.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Driving Machine?
The BMW 5 Series isn’t just a car; it’s an experience, a statement, and a luxurious spaceship on wheels. Whether you’re commuting to work, cruising on the highway, or just showing off, this car does it all with style, power, and a touch of German precision. So, buckle up, and let the ultimate driving machine take you on a ride of a lifetime.
