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There will only one petrol version of the new 5 Series in Australia in a focus on electric power – and increased equipment levels likely to lead to higher prices.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series will come to Australia with just one petrol model – and two electric variants – and higher prices than before due to increased standard equipment levels.
Due in Australian BMW showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2023 (October to December), the 5 Series range will be slashed to one entry-level petrol model and two electric i5 variants for the new model.
It is down from six variants today – across four-cylinder, six-cylinder and V8 engines with petrol, diesel and hybrid power – and eight engine choices about a decade ago.
Prices are expected to rise to account for higher levels of standard equipment from the base model up – including a panoramic glass roof, heated front seats and more advanced technology.
The current BMW 520i is priced from $107,700 plus on-road costs.
Unveiled overnight, the new 5 Series and its electric i5 twin bring a bold new design, overhauled interior with larger screens, significantly larger body, and an updated range of engines.
The new car measures 5060mm long, 1900mm wide and 1515mm tall, riding on a 2995mm wheelbase – 97mm longer overall, 32mm wide, 36mm taller and 20mm longer in wheelbase, making it larger than its new-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class rival.
All new BMW 5 Series models sold in Australia will be equipped with the M Sport styling package.
Powering the new entry-level 5 Series is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system and rear-wheel drive.
BMW Australia quotes outputs of 153kW and 330Nm, however the power figure appears to include a 13kW boost from the mild-hybrid system, which can assist the engine under heavy acceleration, or switch it off when driving at constant speed to let the car coast, and save fuel.
The company claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.5 seconds for this model.
Further petrol and diesel variants are available in Europe, but are not planned for Australia at this stage. The outgoing 5 Series was also available in Australia in 530i four-cylinder petrol, 530d six-cylinder diesel, 530e petrol plug-in hybrid, and M550i petrol V8 forms.
The i5 eDrive 40 electric variant is powered by a single electric motor at the rear with 250kW and 430Nm (in Sport Boost mode, or Launch Control), good for 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.0 seconds, and a top speed of 193km/h.
Meanwhile, the i5 M60 steps up to dual-motor all-wheel drive with outputs of up to 442kW and 820Nm, for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds, and a 230km/h top speed.
BMW Australia quotes maximum driving range in European WLTP lab testing of 582 kilometres for the eDrive 40, and 516km for the M60, from a 81.7kWh (usable capacity; or 84kWh gross) battery.
The i5 can charge at up to 205kW on a DC public fast-charging station, claimed to deliver a 10 to 80 per cent recharge in about 30 minutes.
A 22kW AC on-board charger for recharging at home is standard equipment.
Standard features on the 520i include adaptive LED headlights, 19-inch wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 14.9-inch touchscreen, Alcantara and synthetic leather-look seat trim, heated front seats, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, panoramic sunroof, head-up display, and a full suite of advanced safety technology.
Features optional on the outgoing 520i but standard on the new model include heated front seats with lumbar support, a power boot lid, and glass sunroof.
More expensive i5 models add larger wheels, adaptive suspension, rear-wheel steering, a 17-speaker Bowers and Wilkins stereo, four-zone air conditioning (up from the 520i’s two zones), ventilated front seats, and metallic paint.
A list of standard equipment – as confirmed by BMW Australia so far – is below.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series and i5 twins are due in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2023 (October to December).
2024 BMW 520i standard features:
- M Sport package
- M Sport suspension
- Adaptive LED headlights
- 19-inch alloy wheels with tyre repair kit
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio, voice control, over-the-air updates
- M-branded Alcantara suede and Veganza synthetic leather-look seat upholstery
- Sport front seats with heating and lumbar support
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system
- Dual-zone automatic climate-control air conditioning
- Head-up display
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Keyless entry and start
- Wireless phone charging
- BMW Digital Key/Digital Key Plus functionality for iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones
- Power-operated boot lid
- Remote engine start
- BMW Iconic Glow illuminated front grilles
- Carbon-fibre-look interior trim
- Ambient interior lighting
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane centring assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Front and rear cross-traffic alerts
- Automatic parking
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Automated Manoeuvre Assistant feature
- Tyre pressure monitoring
2024 BMW i5 eDrive 40 adds (over 520i):
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Adaptive suspension
- Rear-wheel steering
- 17-speaker Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system
- BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery
- Metallic paint
- 22kW AC on-board charger
- Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cables
- Low-speed pedestrian warning sounds
- BMW IconicSounds Electric (synthesised driving sounds)
- Five-year Chargefox public fast charging subscription
2024 BMW i5 M60 adds (over i5 eDrive 40):
- 21-inch alloy wheels (no-cost option)
- Adaptive M suspension
- Electronically-controlled anti-roll bars
- Four-zone automatic climate control
- Ventilated front seats
- CraftedClarity Glass crystal material for touchscreen controller, gear shifter, start/stop button, volume roller dial
- M rear spoiler
Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.
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