For example, the numerical index of the model is now also the length in full meters, because with the change of generation, the “five” immediately added 97 mm (up to 5060 mm) and now it surpasses the new E-class by 111 mm in this indicator and only by 60 mm inferior to the short-wheelbase 7 Series of the previous generation. The width of the body has grown by 32 mm (up to 1900 mm), the height by 36 mm (up to 1515 mm), and the distance between the axles is now 2995 mm (+20 mm): the Germans say that it has become even more spacious in the back row. At the same time, if earlier the rear-wheel drive “five” 520i weighed 1610 kg, then for the new car this figure is 1715 kg. Of course, the ideal weight distribution of 50:50 is preserved.
The radiator grill protrudes more forward – marketers have already dubbed the front part a “shark nose” in addition to the “shark fin” on the roof. On the Hofmeister family bend (it has become noticeably thicker than before), the number “5” appeared. Optional illumination of the nostrils will be available for ordering; when opening and closing the doors, they, together with the headlights and projectors at the bottom of the doors, create a special light composition.
The drag coefficient Cx has not changed with the generation change (0.23), for cars with an M body kit it is 0.25. The i5 electric car (about it a little later) has an electronically controlled damper mounted on the front bumper, which allows you to slightly increase the range at the expense of downforce. The minimum diameter of alloy wheels is 18 inches (19 inches for hybrids and electric vehicles), the maximum is 21 inches.
BMW 530e hybrid sedan with standard body kit
Trunk volume is 520 liters for petrol and diesel sedans (even hybrids) and 490 liters for electric ones, while it was 530 liters for the four-door G30, but only 410 liters for plug-in hybrids. The rear sofa folds in a ratio of 40:20:40. Load capacity – from 610 kg for the i5 M60 to 650 kg for the 520d.
The suspension scheme is the same (double-lever front, five-link rear), however, additional aluminum struts appeared to increase rigidity. The standard equipment versions of the 550e xDrive and i5 M60 will include an adaptive suspension with an understatement of 4-8 mm and electronically controlled anti-roll bars. The stabilization system block is now built into the “brains” of the engine, which allows the auxiliary electronics to quickly stop the skid by braking the outer wheel. By the way, the new light-alloy brakes are 3% lighter than those of the “five” of the G30 generation.
The salon is largely unified with the seventh series, but somewhat simplified. A curved panel of two displays is installed in front of the driver (a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touch screen multimedia system). From the flagship sedan, the “five” inherited the BMW Interaction Bar touch strip, with which you can control the climate control system, turn on the “emergency gang” and open the glove box. Behind it, the nozzles of the ventilation system are hidden, which are controlled through the corresponding menu or using levers. Next to the small transmission selector switch is the iDrive system washer.
The standard steering wheel is two-spoke, with touch keys, truncated at the bottom. M-steering wheel – three-spoke. Heating – only for a surcharge. An electric amplifier with a choice of modes will be even in the simplest configuration. For a surcharge, a rear axle steering at an angle of up to 2.5 ° is available, thanks to which the turning circle will be reduced from 12.3 to 11.7 m.
You can play arcade games and quizzes on the central touchscreen. In Germany, from April next year, the application will be available not only for YouTube video hosting, but also for the football Bundesliga. Pyaterka is equipped with 5G communications: two antennas are installed as standard, two more are an option. You can enter your BMW ID profile by scanning the QR code on the central display with your phone camera, and then contactlessly pay for parking with a bank card linked to the profile.
As an option, a 4-zone “climate” is available, while you can separately adjust the temperature in the front rider’s leg area. Hybrids and i5 will be available with a remote heating or cooling function. Of course, the new car does not have cashmere trim and a huge TV for rear passengers. But this is the first 5 Series with a panoramic roof: its length is 841 mm, and its width is 818 mm: before, the “five” was offered only with a sunroof.
In the USA, Canada and Germany, the new “five” can be ordered with the Highway Assistant function, which will allow you to take your hands off the wheel when driving on the highway at a speed of no more than 130 km / h (but you won’t be able to take your eyes off the road: a separate camera monitors the driver) . In order to change lanes in this mode, it is not even necessary to turn on the turn signal (although you can) – just glance at one of the exterior rear-view mirrors. Of course, there is also adaptive cruise control, which operates at speeds up to 210 km/h.
The standard equipment will also include a primitive valet parking assistant and an assistant for driving with a trailer. For a surcharge – a system of all-round cameras and completely self-parking at a distance of up to 600 m from the owner.
Interior of i5 M60 xDrive version: special instrument graphics and three-spoke steering wheel
In the G60 generation, “sports” seats with a wide range of adjustments are standardly provided. By the way, the front seats are now shifted in the range of 80 mm instead of the previous 60. The cabin has four USB-C ports (two in the front and rear), two more connectors are available for a fee in the backs of the front seats. Like the battery “seven”, the i5 will be offered with voice acting from Hans Zimmer, and in the case of the i5 M60 this option will be free.
Artificial leather is available for finishing, and for the first time everything is upholstered with it, even the steering wheel. Leatherette is also available with perforation and in three colors. The cabin in the M Sport package is upholstered in Veganza and Alcantara by default. The M Sport Package Pro adds specially designed seat belts and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with surround sound technology. Audiophiles can pay extra for a 655-watt Bowers & Wilkins with 18 speakers.
Opens the electric range of the i5 eDrive 40 sedan with a single electric motor (250 kW/340 hp, 400 Nm) on the rear axle. In the Sport Boost and Launch Control modes (to activate them, you need to pull the left steering column lever towards you for a little less than a second), the thrust indicator reaches 430 Nm, which allows you to dial the first “hundred” in 6 seconds. Top speed is limited to a ridiculous 193 km/h for BMW.
The i5 M60 xDrive twin-engine top version is tuned to 380 kW (517 hp) and 795 Nm, but in My Mode Sport mode the power will briefly increase to 442 kW (601 hp), and when starting from two pedals to wheels are already transmitted 820 Nm of traction. As a result, acceleration to 100 km / h takes 3.8 seconds (that is, like the M550i xDrive of the G30 generation), but the maximum speed is low here too: only 230 km / h. But such a “five” has a unique animation of the instrument panel in the spirit of racing BMWs.
The i5 has a lithium-ion 400-volt traction battery with a capacity of 81.2 kWh, one for two, but due to its lower weight (2130 kg versus 2305 kg) and drag coefficient (0.23 versus 0.25), the rear-wheel drive electric sedan is able to drive 497-582 km in the WLTP cycle, and the i5 M60 xDrive only 455-516 km. The battery supports charging up to 205 kW.
The level of brake energy regeneration can be selected via the menu. A “vegetable” Max Range mode is also provided: when it is turned on, climate control, all seat heating and ventilation stop working, the rear window is barely heated, and the maximum speed is limited to 90 km / h – such settings are designed to help reach the charging terminal, when the battery is almost empty.
All buyers of the BMW i5 – as well as other Bavarian electric cars – will receive free one-year access to the Ionity Plus and BMW Charging Active programs, which will allow them to charge the car at a fixed rate throughout Europe.
Internal combustion engines operate on the Miller cycle and are equipped with a Vanos variable valve timing system and a Valvetronic mechanism that adjusts the valve lift height depending on the crankshaft rotation speed.
The petrol and diesel range is now fully electrified through the introduction of a 48-volt starter-generator. On the two-liter diesel 5 Series, it is mounted on a drive belt and develops 8 kW (11 hp) and 25 Nm, and on all versions with in-line sixes, the electric motor is built into the body of the 8-speed Steptronic automatic and adds to the ICE output already 13 kW (18 hp) and 200 Nm. Moreover, in the initial version of the 520i for the European market, a “full-fledged” starter-generator will also be built into the body of the “machine”, while in export versions it will be mounted on a drive belt, like in 2.0-liter diesel cars.
The output of the petrol “turbo-four” in the modification of the 520i has increased from 184 hp. With. and 290 Nm up to 190 hp. With. and 310 Nm, and together with the starter-generator, it is 208 forces and 330 “Newtons”. Acceleration to “hundreds” was reduced to 7.5 s (-0.4 s), and the maximum speed is 230 km / h (-5 km / h). The diesel 520d and 520d xDrive (190 hp and 400 Nm) and the petrol 530i and 530i xDrive (258 hp, 400 Nm; European dealers will not have these) have not changed the output parameters. American customers will also have access to the 540i xDrive version with a petrol in-line “turbo-six” (381 hp, 540 Nm). Next spring, the 530e (299 hp, 450 Nm) and 550e xDrive (489 hp, 700 Nm) plug-in hybrids will debut in all key markets.
The plant in Dingolfing will continue to assemble cars of the G60 generation: the “fives” have been produced there for half a century. The model shares the pipeline with the flagships of the seventh and eighth series, as well as with the iX electric crossover. Prices have already been announced: from 57.5 thousand euros for the petrol version, from 70.2 thousand euros for the i5 eDrive 40 and at least 99.5 thousand euros for the twin-engined i5 M60 xDrive.
The new fifth-series sedans will go on sale in October, while the G61 generation station wagons will hit the market only in the spring of 2024. The official premiere of the new BMW 5 Series Touring will take place in the coming months, and before the end of the year the Germans will introduce the new M5, which seems to retain the 4.4-liter V8, but will become a plug-in hybrid: according to rumors, the new super sedan will receive a power plant from the XM crossover. but with different settings.
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