The next generation BMW 5-Series has been imported to India for testing and the new luxury sedan is expected to launch early next year.
Since its launch in 2010, the current BMW 5-Series has become one of the most popular luxury cars in India and its replacement (code-named the G30) has already been imported here for testing, which suggests that we will get the car not long after its official debut, which is expected to take place at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.
Once it lands on the Indian shores, the new 5-Series will be assembled at BMW’s facility in Chennai and rival the Jaguar XF, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and the Volvo S90. The second-generation XF was launched recently, the new E-Class arrives in India next year and the S90 is making its way here too, so the competition in this segment is really going to heat up with the G30 5-Series.
The 5-Series borrows some of its design cues from the new 7-Series, with the headlights integrating into the kidney grilles and similar-looking LED taillights. Meanwhile, the front and rear bumpers will be restyled and the spy shots suggest there will be sharper lines all along the body. The new 5-Series will also be slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, which will give more space to the rear passengers.
The upcoming Bimmer will be based on BMW’s new rear-wheel drive CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform that also underpins the latest 7-Series. The monocoque and body panels will be made from materials like high-strength steel, aluminium and magnesium and while the 7-Series gets carbon-fiber in its construction as well, BMW hasn’t mentioned if the lightweight material will be used in the production of the 5-Series too.
Nonetheless, this new chassis will help the 5-Series shed around 100 kg, have a lower ride height (which in turn will improve the centre of gravity and hence, handling) and achieve better weight distribution. There will also be a reworked suspension, new steering system and and an 8-speed automatic transmission (apart from a 6-speed manual that won’t come to India).
Globally, the G30 5-Series will be offered with a plethora of engines, ranging from the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel mills to at least one plug-in hybrid option. For India, the 520d and 530d have been imported for testing so they are surely going to be on the portfolio. Apart from that, we think that the 520i will continue to be sold and could be joined by another petrol variant. We are not so sure about the specifications for the 3.0-litre turbo engine of the 530d and the 2.0-litre motor of the 520d but the 520i will likely have an output of 184 HP from the B48 petrol engine seen in the 320i.
And in case you are getting confused, there’s a misunderstanding about the 520i’s present engine. It’s not the same one offered in the 320i, even though the power and torque are same. Instead, there’s the N20 petrol engine under the hood, which was sold in the pre-facelift 320i and is a predecessor to the B48 mill.
BMW is keen for the 5-Series to outmatch the E-Class when it comes to technology and hence, the German automaker will equip it with the next-gen of the i-Drive (that comes with gesture control), remote parking, auto-braking assist and a semi-autonomous feature that will literally allow the 5-Series to be driven without any human interference on the highways.
The M5 will probably be offered in India as a low-volume, niche model. It will reportedly get the same 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged engine but with power pumped to at least 600 HP from the current 553 HP. The popular 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox will transmit the power to the rear wheels, however, for the first time, customers will also be able to opt for an all-wheel drive M5.
2017 BMW 5-Series Launch
– Based on the CLAR platform that also underpins the new 7-Series
– New 5-Series will be lighter, wider and longer than the outgoing version
– Handling of the new generation 5-Series is said to be improved with new dynamics
– India likely to continue with the 520d, 530d and 520i variants
Source – Zauba.com
