BMW Korea officially launches the next-generation premium sedan, the New 5 Series, which encapsulates outstanding design and digital innovation, for the first time worldwide.
The BMW 5 Series, first introduced in 1972, is BMW’s flagship premium sedan with over 8 million units sold globally. The all-new 8th generation model of the BMW New 5 Series, launching six years after 2017, features a unique design, a perfect balance of sportiness and comfort in driving experience, innovative convenience features, and cutting-edge digital services.
Additionally, the BMW New i5, the first all-electric model in the New 5 Series lineup, sets a new standard for sustainable mobility in the premium mid-size segment through emission-free electric driving.
The BMW New 5 Series has evolved with a larger body and sharp exterior design. The overall length has increased by 95mm, width by 30mm, and height by 35mm compared to the previous generation, while the front and rear wheelbase has also been lengthened by 20mm, boasting the largest interior and exterior space in its class.
The front design reinterprets BMW’s iconic twin headlights and kidney grille in a modern style. The newly designed daytime running lights create a sleek and agile atmosphere, while the ‘BMW Iconic Glow’ lighting in the radiator grille harmonizes with the new BMW kidney grille to enhance its commanding presence.
The side design emphasizes sleek yet sporty volume through vertical grille drops, a high shoulder line, and prominent character lines that rise towards the rear. The C-pillar ‘Hofmeister kink’, stretching elegantly to the rear, features an embossed graphic representing the number 5, and the simple design rear lights incorporate an L-shaped chrome strip to complete a powerful rear profile.
The key change in the interior space of the BMW New 5 Series is the BMW Curved Display, developed by reinterpreting BMW’s unique driver-centric philosophy, consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster positioned behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch control display, creating a completely digitalized screen.
The steering wheel has been redesigned with a flat bottom, and the control panel and center console equipped with haptic feedback have minimized physical buttons. The gear selector also adopts a new structure with switch-based operation.
The BMW New 5 Series features an interaction bar, first introduced in the 7 Series (varies by model). The backlit crystal design bar stretches across the lower instrument panel and dashboard to both door panels, integrating a touch-control panel that enhances the interaction between the driver and the vehicle.
The interior of the BMW New 5 Series is the first in the series to utilize fully vegan materials. The fully vegan ‘Veganza’ material, developed in line with BMW’s corporate philosophy for sustainability, possesses characteristics comparable to leather. This material is standard for the seats, dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel of the New 520i and New 523d models. Additionally, both models are equipped with a new design of sport seats that offer enhanced comfort and optimized seat adjustments as standard equipment.
The New i5, the first all-electric model in the 5 Series, is equipped with the significantly enhanced 5th generation BMW eDrive technology.
The rear-wheel drive model BMW i5 eDrive40, fitted with one electric motor, delivers a maximum output of 340 horsepower and maximum torque of 40.8kg·m, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds. The electric range on a single charge for the BMW i5 eDrive40 is 384 km (the range for the i5 eDrive40 is based on conservative certification results with 21-inch wheels, while domestic specifications include 19 or 20-inch wheels).
The top-spec model BMW i5 M60 xDrive boasts dual electric motors producing a combined output of 601 horsepower and maximum torque of 81.1kg·m. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. The electric range for the BMW i5 M60 xDrive on a single charge is up to 361 km.
Furthermore, the BMW New i5 supports DC fast charging with a maximum output of 205kW, allowing for a distance of up to 156km to be secured in just 10 minutes, depending on the charging speed. Through the Max Range feature, output and speed can be limited, and convenience functions can be deactivated to extend the driving range by up to 25% when needed.
All internal combustion engine models of the BMW New 5 Series are equipped with the new BMW Group Efficient Dynamics modular engine, which incorporates 48-volt mild hybrid technology.
The 48-volt mild hybrid technology contributes to minimizing fuel consumption and improving ride comfort by providing additional power of 11 horsepower during acceleration or overtaking, and assisting the engine during steady driving to enhance fuel efficiency. It also minimizes vibrations during restart after using the auto start-stop feature or coasting function.
The BMW New 520i, equipped with a 4-cylinder turbo gasoline engine, produces a maximum output of 190 horsepower and maximum torque of 31.6kg·m, while the New 530i delivers a maximum output of 258 horsepower and maximum torque of 40.8 kg·m. The New 523d, equipped with a 4-cylinder diesel engine, provides a maximum output of 197 horsepower and maximum torque of 40.8 kg·m. All internal combustion engines are paired with an 8-speed Steptronic Sports transmission.
With the BMW New 5 Series, you can clearly experience the excellent balance between sporty driving performance and high-level long-distance ride comfort. Through an extended wheelbase and wide track distance, near-perfect front to rear weight distribution of 50:50, intelligent lightweight design, and enhanced body and chassis assembly rigidity, it provides an exceptional sense of balance.
Enhanced chassis technology and body control systems have optimized the center of gravity according to each model’s powertrain, and features a direct control wheel slip limiting device, an integrated braking system, and a sports steering system with variable steering ratio as standard equipment.
The BMW i5 M60 xDrive model is equipped with BMW Integral Active Steering, which allows the rear wheels to steer up to 2.5°. The direction and angle of the rear-wheel steering adjust organically according to speed, providing easy parking, nimble cornering, and remarkable high-speed stability.
The New 5 Series is equipped with the latest driver assistance systems and BMW Operating System, offering an expanded level of futuristic mobility experience. The standard ‘Driving Assistant Professional’ in the New 5 Series includes distance control with stop-and-go functionality and lane-keeping assistance for convenient driving during long-distance travel and urban traffic situations.
Additionally, the ‘Parking Assistant Plus’ is standard across all sedan models in the New 5 Series, which includes parking and rear assistance functions, providing a 360° view of the vehicle and surrounding environment through various perspectives such as parking view, front panoramic view, and 3D view. The parking assistant professional, applied to some models, can perform automated parking or execute saved routes up to 200m, allowing drivers to control parking and vehicle operation externally using a smartphone.
The enhanced BMW Curved Display, the latest BMW Operating System 8.5, and the new ‘Quick Select’ function in the New 5 Series support the driver to execute the desired functions immediately without entering submenus. Drivers can intuitively and comfortably select and control various functions and digital services in the New 5 Series Sedan.
Passengers can also enjoy watching YouTube content through the control display. Equipped with the YouTube app, the vehicle allows for video streaming at speeds of up to 5G without needing to connect a separate smart device if subscribed to an eSIM service. Moreover, the newly introduced ‘Video’ app in the New 5 Series allows them to enjoy various streaming contents.
Additionally, the BMW New 5 Series Sedan is the first to support in-vehicle gaming functions in collaboration with the AirConsole gaming platform. With just the BMW Curved Display and a smartphone serving as a controller, drivers and passengers can enjoy light games when the vehicle is stationary.
The proactive care service introduced alongside the New 5 Series provides remote collection of vehicle data to proactively diagnose various situations that may arise during vehicle operation, including general maintenance to tire, battery, and oil checks, as well as breakdowns and accidents, and informs customers accordingly.
Customers receive notifications regarding various actions needed from simple maintenance to emergency situations requiring towing via phone, app, or text message, ensuring a worry-free and safe vehicle operation. Additionally, they can check the vehicle status anytime via the My BMW app, and if service is needed, they can consult and make appointments through BMW’s exclusive mobile application, BMW Plus.
The New 5 Series offers an engaging user experience through attractive lighting when passengers approach the vehicle. The welcome scenario activates via ultra-wideband wireless technology (UWB) linked to the vehicle key or compatible smartphone, detecting the driver’s precise location.
The vehicle detects the driver from a distance of 3 meters, activating the welcome scenario. From the moment of detection, external and internal lighting and the light carpet are illuminated, and as the driver approaches to within 1.5 meters, the vehicle doors automatically unlock, and the lights on the external mirrors and interaction bar illuminate with harmonious welcoming sounds. After entering the vehicle, a welcome message and start animation are displayed on the BMW Curved Display.
Moreover, the New 5 Series provides a captivating driving experience through up to 6 my modes. Smartphone integration systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment, and the vehicle’s software remains updated at all times through remote upgrades.
This New 5 Series is equipped with features preferred by domestic consumers, enhancing its marketability. Standard features across all models include adaptive LED headlights, a large panoramic glass roof, ventilated front seats, travel & comfort system, powered trunk, and wireless smartphone charging.
The New 520i and New 523d models come equipped with sports seats and the Veganza material, whereas the New 530i xDrive, New i5 eDrive40, and New i5 M60 xDrive models feature comfort seats with Merino leather.
Depending on the model, features such as the BMW kidney grille Iconic Glow lighting, Harman Kardon hi-fi sound system or Bowers & Wilkins surround system, M sports suspension, adaptive suspension, and M adaptive suspension are also equipped.
The domestic launch prices for the New 5 Series range as follows: New 520i starts at 68.8 million KRW to 73.3 million KRW, New 523d from 75.8 million KRW to 83.3 million KRW, and New 530i xDrive from 84.2 million KRW to 88.7 million KRW. The all-electric model New i5 eDrive40 ranges from 93.9 million KRW to 107 million KRW, and the New i5 M60 xDrive is priced at 138.9 million KRW.
Notably, the i5 eDrive40 and i5 M60 xDrive models qualify as eco-friendly vehicles under the revised regulations from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as of September 27, providing a tax reduction benefit of up to 1.4 million KRW.
Written by Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr