The New BMW 5-Series, like every one of its predecessors since 1973, has been produced primarily at BMW Plant Dingolfing in Bavaria - the Group's centre of excellence for the production of large BMW models. Among the other cars manufactured here are the BMW 7-Series and BMW 8-Series luxury sports car. The new BMW 5-Series Sedan will also be built by production partner Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. The long-wheelbase version of the Sedan is made exclusively for the Chinese market at joint venture BMW Brilliance Automotive's Dadong plant in Shenyang.
Stepping up the road presence: the new exterior
The exterior design of the BMW 5-Series is headlined by sporting grace and clean surfaces. Precise modifications showcase the Sedan and Touring's presence and exquisite sporting style even more vividly. Large, tautly drawn surfaces at the front and rear, the bold BMW kidney grille and new headlights and rear lights ensure the 5-Series exudes considerable visual impact.
Slight increase in vehicle length, but proportions otherwise unchanged
With their long bonnet, set-back passenger compartment, short overhangs, a long wheelbase and wide tracks, the familiar BMW proportions of the new BMW 5-Series Sedan and new BMW 5-Series Touring make no secret of the cars' dynamic character. Their width, height and wheelbase are unchanged, but the extra 27 millimetres (BMW 5-Series Sedan) / 21 millimetres (BMW 5-Series Touring) of exterior length - both models now measure 4,963 millimetres - underscore the sweeping elegance on display.
Leading the way once again for aerodynamic drag
With a drag coefficient as low as Cd = 0.23 in the case of the Sedan and Cd = 0. 26 for the Touring, the new BMW 5-Series models continue to set the standard for aerodynamics in their respective segments. Among the key contributors here are the sophisticated design of the cars' trim mouldings and the active air flap control system for the radiator.
Newly designed front end: taut surfaces, bold kidney grille, focused look
The most distinctive features of the revised front end include the bold BMW kidney grille with modified contouring and the headlights with new light graphic. Generously sized, tightly sculpted surfaces in body colour and vertical air intakes on either side of the front apron underscore the exterior's elegant interplay of lines and give the car an even more expressive appearance. Modern evolution of the iconic BMW kidney grille. The prominent kidney grille immediately catches the eye with a new, octagonal form. This modern interpretation of the BMW icon adds extra width and height, drops down further into the front apron and is framed by a single-piece surround. Also playing their part in the grille's arresting appearance are the vertical bars, the top sections of which jut further out. The larger dimensions of the BMW kidney grille provide an attractive contrast against the now slimmer headlights.
New headlights with L-shaped daytime driving lights create a focused look
LED headlights with automatic headlight range control are again fitted as standard on the new 5-Series. The two daytime driving light sources - arranged next to one other - are U-shaped, the turn indicators are located in special light modules at the outer edge of the headlights. The two new optional LED headlights create a totally new appearance. The two L-shaped light tubes arranged next to one another in each light unit have a precise and modern graphic. The new contouring of the headlights and the structure of the light sources at their heart bring a modern twist to the focused look familiar from BMW's past and present. With these units, the outer daytime driving lights also perform the role of turn indicators.
All of the light functions use LED technology as standard.
2019, BMW Laserlight was introduced into some top-of-the-line 5-Series models. And now all variants of the new BMW 5-Series Sedan and new BMW 5-Series Touring can be ordered with BMW Laserlight as an option. This system adds a dynamic Laserlight module to the Adaptive LED Headlights with matrix function. At speeds over 60 km/h (37 mph), this strengthens the non-dazzling high beam and follows the course of the road. At up to 650 metres, range is almost double that of the conventional headlights available for the new 5-Series. Added to which, the extremely bright and strong BMW Laserlight achieves a significantly higher level of light intensity. As part of the dynamic light distribution and BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam systems, it also boosts the effectiveness of low beam on country roads and motorways. Blue inlays at the upper edges of the headlights and "BMW Laser" lettering in the headlight glass are the visual calling cards of this advanced technology. An eye-catching design option for cars ordered with the Adaptive LED Headlights and BMW Laserlight is BMW Individual Shadowline headlights with darkened inlays at the upper edges of the headlights.
The optional BMW Individual High-gloss Shadowline comprises features such the window surrounds, Air Breathers and elements of the exterior mirrors in High-gloss Black.
The new BMW Individual High-gloss Shadowline with extended features adds a High-gloss Black surround and bars for the kidney grille and exhaust tailpipe finishers in Black Chrome (only on cars with the M Sport package) to the options list.
New rear end accentuates car's width to elegant effect. The gracefully sporting, modern appearance of the new BMW 5-Series is enhanced at the rear of both the Sedan and Touring models by clear surfacing with minimalist lines. Trapezoidal tailpipe finishers now standard on all BMW 5-Series models. Regardless of the equipment line and engine specified, all models of the new BMW 5-Series come with trapezoidal tailpipe finishers, which are now integrated to the left and right in the rear apron inlay. The top of the grey-coloured inlay has black trim edging as standard (trim edging is electroplated on Luxury Line cars). Three-dimensional sculpted rear lights with new graphic
A new L-shaped light graphic gives the BMW 5-Series its own clear identity. Black edging lends the rear lights a slimmer appearance. The rear lights and brake lights are integrated into a single light fixture. An overhang in the outer edge of the graphic's upper section brings a fresh interpretation of the familiar BMW L shape. The prominently three-dimensional external lens now houses the light fixture directly, creating an iconographic showcase for the main light functions.
M Sport package with powerful new design. The newly developed M Sport package stands out with its new, dynamically proportioned aerodynamic features. These include an all-new front apron, whose surfaces are split up by a U-shape structure pointing towards the road. The gratings of the significantly enlarged air intakes now have a modern mesh structure. The BMW kidney grille bars have Aluminium matt faces. If BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line with extended features is specified, the bars are painted all-black and the exhaust tailpipe finishers come in Black Chrome. And a new diffuser element in the rear apron uses more pronounced contours to optimise airflow.
The BMW Group is pressing ahead with its electrification strategy for the new BMW 5-Series range, as elsewhere in its portfolio, by expanding the number of plug-in hybrid models significantly. The new BMW 530e Sedan and BMW 530e xDrive Sedan both combine latest-generation eDrive technology with a four-cylinder petrol engine, XtraBoost as standard and model-specific sound tuning. From autumn 2020, the range will welcome the arrival of the first plug-in hybrid options for the 5-Series Touring, starting with the BMW 530e Touring and BMW 530e xDrive Touring. Also joining the plug-in hybrid line-up in autumn 2020 will be a new range-topper in the form of the BMW 545e xDrive Sedan with six-cylinder petrol engine.
In the BMW 530e Sedan and BMW 530e xDrive Sedan, the newly improved 135 kW/184 hp four-cylinder petrol engine is partnered by an electric drive unit - producing maximum output of 80 kW/109 hp - that is integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. For an added dose of sporting flair under particularly keen acceleration, the joint output of the two power sources can be increased by an additional 30 kW/40 hp to a maximum 215 kW/292 hp for up to 10 seconds. This XtraBoost feature, included as standard, is available when the Driving Experience Control switch is set to SPORT, when the selector lever is moved into the M/S position and in response to kickdown. The plug-in hybrid powertrain can deliver maximum combined torque of 420 Nm (310 lb-ft). The new BMW 530e Sedan and BMW 530e xDrive Sedan plug-in hybrid models have an electric range of 62 - 67 kilometres (39 - 42 miles) and 56 - 58 kilometres (35 - 36 miles) respectively. Active Sound Design brings an authentic drive track to the car's interior via its audio system and hits a particularly exhilarating note when the Driving Experience Control switch is in SPORT mode. The acoustic protection for pedestrians generates an artificially generated driving sound to protect other road users when the car is travelling on electric power at up to 30 km/h (19 mph).
A pair of Touring models delivering the hybrid-specific blend of sportiness and efficiency are scheduled to join the new BMW 5-Series line-up from autumn 2020. For the first time, the BMW 530e Touring and BMW 530e xDrive Touring will combine the versatile functionality and impressive passenger comfort characteristic of their genre with advanced hybrid powertrain technology and the ability to drive with zero local emissions. The five seats in the new plug-in hybrid Touring models afford their occupants exactly the same levels of space as in the conventionally powered variants, while the space-saving installation of the high-voltage battery under the rear seat unit means there is only a slight reduction in boot capacity. With an electric range of 58 - 62 kilometres (36 - 39 miles) for the new BMW 530e Touring and 53 - 56 kilometres (33 - 35 miles) for the new BMW 530e xDrive Touring, a substantial proportion of everyday driving can be done with zero local emissions. nother plug-in hybrid representative is also set to be added to the range in autumn 2020, further broadening the array of electrified model variants. The BMW 545e xDrive Sedan features a 210 kW/286 hp straight-six petrol engine and an 80 kW/109 hp electric motor, and their combined power is directed to all four wheels, as required, by BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. In the process, the powertrain's overall output of up to 290 kW/394 hp is converted into high-end dynamic performance. The torque generated by the plug-in hybrid system peaks at 600 Nm (442 lb-ft), and the new BMW 545e xDrive Sedan achieves an electric range of 54 - 57 kilometres (34 - 35 miles).
The new BMW 545e xDrive Sedan likewise comes equipped with the very latest BMW eDrive technology available for plug-in-hybrid models. The electric motor stands out with its instantaneous power delivery, most notably when pulling away, but also as it progresses unabated into the upper echelons of rotational and road speed. Intelligent energy management ensures the engine and electric motor work together to optimum effect, in terms of both dynamic performance and efficiency.
48V mild hybrid technology for all four- and six-cylinder engines. The mild hybrid technology with 48V starter-generator, first introduced in the BMW 520d and BMW 520d xDrive models in autumn 2019, will now offer enhanced performance combined with lower fuel consumption and improved driving comfort in all four- and six-cylinder variants of the new BMW 5-Series.
The mild hybrid system helps to both lighten the combustion engine's workload and boost its power, bringing a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions while sharpening performance. Fitting an extremely powerful 48V starter-generator and a second battery greatly increases the ways in which Brake Energy Regeneration can be utilised. When the driver releases the accelerator, the generator transforms the kinetic energy into electricity to be stored in the 48V battery. Energy recuperation on the overrun is particularly intense when the Driving Experience Control switch is set to SPORT mode. The additional deceleration generated over and above the engine braking effect is also harnessed when the brakes are applied. A specially designed braking system previously only fitted in plug-in-hybrid models enables the combination of electrical and mechanical deceleration to be deployed as required and with maximum efficiency at all times.