2023 BMW 5-Series revealed, comes with an all-electric i5 variant for the first time
2023 BMW 5-Series makes its debut with an all-new design language. The new generation sedan will be available in electric, petrol and diesel powertrain options.
Design
The new gen BMW 5 boasts of an aggressive and sporty design direction. Compared to the current model on sale, the new 5er looks sharper. Initial comments on our social media posts suggest that it is a love it or hate it design. Some prefer the current flamboyant styling while some are in love with the sporty aesthetics of the new gen car.
The front profile is dominated by the larger set of kidney grilles that are not as large as its elder siblings including the 7-Series. It has a chiseled out muscular bumper up front and a sleek looking headlight cluster. The bonnet bulge integrates well into the front grille.
The side profile has a clean 3-box design. It has a long hood, tight overhangs, sharp looking premium alloys (depends on the variant) and a sloping roofline towards the tail. The flap-type door handles take you back to the 90s but these aid for better aerodynamics.
The rear profile comes with a slim tail light cluster which doesn’t look like a typical BMW design. The lower half of the bumper gets a huge diffuser.
Interior
The interior elements of the 2023 BMW 5-Series look similar to what we have seen in the new gen 7-Series. There is a layered dashboard with a thick strip of ambient lighting sandwiched in between. The BMW Curved Display comes with a 12.3-inch Information Display and a 14.9-inch Control Display. The new flat-bottom steering wheel looks quite sporty.
The new 5-Series is the brand’s first model to feature a fully vegan interior as standard. This includes the surfaces of the seats, the dashboard and the door panels, as well as the steering wheel for the first time.
It will get the latest BMW Operating System 8.5, you can control the system using the steering buttons, touchscreen control, iDrive Controller, voice commands and even gesture controls.
BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the BMW Head-Up Display and Augmented View on the Control Display or instrument cluster.
The latest operating system brings several notable enhancements, focusing on digital content, faster updates, electric vehicle charging information and improved access to online services. Notably, it introduces video streaming and an innovative in-car gaming experience through the AirConsole platform. With this feature, drivers and passengers can enjoy casual games when the vehicle is parked, making it a great way to pass the time while waiting for the BMW i5’s battery to charge.
Engines
The BMW i5 will be available in two versions – M60 xDrive and eDrive40. The M60 xDrive comes with a power output of 601 HP and 820 Nm torque. It does 0-100 km/hr in 3.8 seconds while the top speed is limited to 230 km/hr.
The eDrive40 on the other hand produces 340 HP and 430 Nm torque. Does 0-100 km/hr in 6 seconds while the top speed is claimed to be 193 km/hr.
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive has a claimed driving range of 516 km on full charge while the eDrive40 gets a claimed range of 582 km.
With the new MAX RANGE function, the range can be increased by up to 25 percent if required by limiting power and speed and deactivating comfort functions.
The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) of the BMW i5 enables AC charging with an output of up to 11 kW as standard and up to 22 kW as an option. The high-voltage battery can be charged with direct current with a power of up to 205 kW. For instance, the battery charge level in the BMW i5 can be raised from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes.
BMW will also offer 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder petrol engine options depending on the market along with the 4-cylinder diesel engine options. Both petrol and diesel engine will now get 48-volt mild hybrid technology throughout and are combined with a new 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.
The new BMW 5-Series will compete directly with the recently revealed new generation Mercedes E-Class. It will also take on the likes of Audi A6, Volvo S90 and Lexus ES. India launch is expected by 2024.
