MUNICH: The new 2024 BMW 5 Series sedan 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.
Also, as a world first, the 2024 5 Series now includes the Active Lane Change Assistant with eye confirmation.
The vehicle suggests a lane change and this can be carried out for the first time by looking in the exterior mirror to confirm the lane change.
The Active Lane Change Assistant takes over the necessary steering movements automatically, the traffic situation permitting.
Also, in-car gaming premieres in the new 5 Series sedan with the AirConsole platform.
Video streaming is possible on the Control Display, and so-called casual games can be played while the vehicle is stationary, while charging the high-voltage battery of the BMW i5.
Like all previous model generations, the new 5 Series sedan is produced at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, where the electric motors and high-voltage batteries for the BMW i5 are also manufactured.
With its market launch due in October 2023, the 2024 5 Series sedan will be offered worldwide with all-electric drive and, also with plug-in hybrid systems as well as petrol and diesel engines including 48-volt mild hybrid technology.
The all-electric BMW i5 M60 xDrive is the top model, and combines an up to 442 kW/601 hp drive with hallmark M performance.
Two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles make up an electric all-wheel drive.
The system torque generated is up to 820 Nm when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated.
This enables the i5 M60 to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, while its top speed is electrically limited to 230 km/h.
Meanwhile, the BMW i5 eDrive40’s electric motor drives the rear wheels and generates 250 kW/340 hp and torque of up to 430Nm with Sport Boost or Launch Control function.
The i5 eDrive40 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6 seconds, while its top speed is 193km/h.
The space-saving high-voltage battery is located in the underbody and provides a usable energy content of 81.2 kWh.
The respective WLTP values are 455 – 516 km for the i5 M60 xDrive, and 497 – 582 km for the i5 eDrive40.
With the new MAX RANGE function, the range can be increased by up to 25% 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.
Battery charge level in the i5 can be raised from 10 to 80% in around 30 minutes.
The all-electric 5 Series models are also the first BMW vehicles with the Plug & Charge function.
This enables the vehicle to authenticate itself automatically at compatible public charging stations without having to use an app or charging card.
A unique feature is the Multi Contract Option, which allows customers to digitally store up to five individual Plug & Charge-enabled power contracts from different providers in the vehicle.
There are also new petrol and diesel engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, combined with a new 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission as standard.
In Europe, there will be four-cylinder 520i sedans with 208hp, the 520d and the 520d xDrive with 197hp each.
Other petrol engines with four and six cylinders are available outside Europe.
The model range will be supplemented in spring 2024 by two variants with plug-in hybrid drives.
A new in-line six-cylinder diesel engine will be available for the 5 Series sedan from 2024.
Another variant of the i5 with electric all-wheel drive will also follow in 2024.
The new 5 Series sedan will feature directly controlled wheel slip limitation, integrated braking system and sport steering with variable steering ratio as standard.
Light alloy wheels in 18-inch or 19-inch sizes (BMW i5 and plug-in hybrid models) are also standard.
Compared to its predecessor, the new 5 Series sedan has grown in length by 97mm to 5,060mm, in width by 32mm to 1,900mm and in height by 36mm to 1,515mm.
Its wheelbase was lengthened by 20mm to 2,995mm.
The front view of the new 5 Series Sedan has a modern interpretation of the twin headlights and BMW kidney grille.
LED elements arranged almost vertically serve as turn indicators and daytime driving lights.
The BMW kidney grille, which projects far forward, features a wide surround and optional BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting.
The cockpit of the new 5 Series has a significantly reduced number of buttons and controls compared to the predecessor model.
The fully digital display system consists of a 12.3-inch Information Display and a 14.9-inch Control Display.
The steering wheel has also been redesigned with a flattened lower section and haptic feedback on the control panels, and the selector lever on the centre console.
The new 5 Series sedan has Parking Assistant, including Reversing Assist, as standard.
The standard equipment also includes optimised smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Keyword: 2024 BMW 5 Series sedan: Bigger, fully vegan interior, in-car gaming