Wagons: Not for Everyone, and That’s the Point

Wagons are not exactly flying off showroom floors these days. Most buyers have turned to SUVs or crossovers, often driven by the promise of space, height, and status. Yet among car enthusiasts, wagons continue to hold a certain cult status.

They are appreciated by those who value the drive, who care about proportions, and who know how special a well-balanced long-roof car can be. These are cars for the discerning. The 520i Touring fits this mould perfectly. It is not designed to shout. It simply gets everything right, quietly.

Familiar Shape, Fresh Personality

I recently had the opportunity to drive the all-electric i5 Touring eDrive40 M Sport. It impressed with its refinement and tech-laden cabin. The driving experience was smooth and silent, with all the torque you could want. Yet it also felt heavy and somewhat removed from the kind of driver engagement BMW built its reputation on.

The 520i Touring brings back that feeling. It is lighter, more agile, and with a petrol engine up front, it delivers feedback and rhythm that the electric version cannot replicate. You still get the same sleek body, complete with the M Aerodynamics Package and Iconic Glow grille. The 20-inch M 939 Bicolour wheels finish the look with just the right mix of subtle aggression.

On the Road

Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a mild hybrid system. The result is 188 bhp and 310 Nm of torque, all sent to the rear wheels through BMW’s 8-speed Steptronic transmission.

Performance is brisk enough, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 8.3 seconds. The car feels responsive and composed, thanks in part to the M Sport suspension. It also manages to stay comfortable even over less-than-perfect roads. With a top speed of 222 km/h and a fuel consumption rating of 14.3 km per litre, it offers a well-balanced package for real-world driving.

Space, Style, and Sound

Inside, the cabin is a showcase of BMW’s latest design direction. A curved display panel stretches across the dash, combining a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. The layout is clean, modern, and intuitive to use.

There is generous space for passengers both front and rear, thanks to a wheelbase of nearly three metres. Boot capacity stands at 570 litres, which is more than enough for weekend trips, grocery runs, or a foldable bike or two.

The Harman Kardon sound system adds a premium touch, with rich audio that makes every drive feel like a private concert.

The Glass Hatch, Gone

If there is one thing I miss, it is the split-opening rear glass hatch. Previous 5 Series Touring models featured this small but incredibly useful function. It allowed quick access to the boot in tight carparks or when the full tailgate could not be opened.

BMW has removed it in favour of a sleeker rear design. It is a compromise in form over function, and while the new look is undeniably stylish, the practicality of that glass hatch will be missed by those who used it often.

Petrol or Electric?

Both the 520i and i5 Touring have their appeal. The i5 is futuristic, quiet, and powerful in its own way. It excels in technology and offers zero tailpipe emissions. The 520i, on the other hand, delivers a more traditional driving experience. It is familiar, usable, and engaging in a way that petrol cars still are.

For those who are not ready to go fully electric or who simply enjoy the feel of a proper engine, the 520i Touring is an easy recommendation.

Final Thoughts

The BMW 520i Touring M Sport is not a car for everyone, but that is exactly the point. It is for drivers who appreciate design, balance, and purpose. It offers the space of an SUV without the bulk, the comfort of a saloon with added utility, and a driving feel that rewards those who still enjoy being behind the wheel.

This is a car chosen not for what it says about you, but for how it makes you feel. A true enthusiast’s choice.

Technical Specifications

BMW 520i Touring M-Sport

Engine: 2-Litre in-line 4 TwinPower, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 190 bhp
Torque: 310 Nm
Gearbox: 8-Speed (A) Steptronic
0-100km/h: 8.3 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 222 km/h 
Fuel Economy: 14.3 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$382,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Photo Credits: Joel Tam (@joel_tam)

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Readers familiar with this writer would know that I prefer wagons or estates to sedans. And so, writing with great glee, I’m thrilled to share with you that there will be a wagon version of the BMW 5 Series for this generation.

This is the sixth BMW 5 Series Touring, born out of the eighth-generation 5 Series. Code-named G61, as opposed to the G60 sedan version, the official launch in Germany, many other European countries and Japan will begin in May 2024. Other markets are set to follow in June 2024.

Compared to its predecessor, the new G61 is 97mm longer at 5,060mm, 32mm wider at 1,900mm and 17mm taller at 1,515mm. This 5’er Touring has the longest wheelbase in its class, increasing by 20 millimetres to 2,995 millimetres.

For the first time, the 5’er Touring will be available as a battery electric vehicle (EV or BEV), and headlining the EV segment is the i5 M60 xDrive Touring.

Two electric motors powering all four wheels put down a searing 517hp in standard mode and a scorching 601hp in My Mode SPORT.

The century sprint is done and dusted in just 3.9 seconds, and top speed is a claimed 230km/h. WLTP range is said to be 445-506km, and the battery pack can be charged at up to 205kW at a suitable DC fast charger.

If that’s too much excitement for you, the i5 in eDrive40 Touring guise sports just a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, and puts down 313hp in standard mode and 340hp in My Mode SPORT.

0-100km/h is dispatched in a claimed 6.1 seconds and the i5 eDrive40 Touring will run all the way up to 193km/h. WLTP range is said to be between 483-560km. Again, the battery pack can be charged at up to 205kW at a suitable DC fast charger.

If a full EV is not your cuppa just yet, there’s also a plug-in hybrid 530e Touring, which will be available with rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive.

A two-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 190hp and 310Nm of torque is paired with an electric motor that produces 184hp and 250Nm of torque. This then totals 299hp and 450Nm overall, and no, it’s not a straightforward addition of numbers.

0-100km/h comes and goes in 6.4 seconds. On electric power alone, one can drive at up to 140km/h with a claimed WLTP range of 84-96km for the rear-wheel drive variant and 79-89km for the xDrive version.

Finally, there’s the 520d Touring in both rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive guises. With 197hp and 400Nm of torque from its two-litre inline four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, 0-100km/h is dispatched in just 7.5 seconds.

Both variants also feature 48-volt mild hybrid technology, and WLTP fuel economy is claimed to be 5.3–5.9-litres/100 km for the rear-wheel drive variant and 5.7-6.2-litres/100 km for the xDrive version.

No details yet on a 520i petrol-powered 5 Series Touring, which would be applicable to Singapore’s market, but we’ll bring you more once the local launch happens. If it happens, we expect it to be the same two-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder putting out 190hp and 310Nm of torque as found in the G60 5 Series sedan.

On the inside, the first item of note is the BMW Curved Display. Its 12.3-inch Information Display and the Control Display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches form a fully digital display network. BMW Operating System 8.5 makes its appearance in the 5’er Touring.

New sports seats are fitted as standard. The steering wheel is now flatter at the bottom. There’s also an optional BMW Interaction Bar.

The 5’er Touring has a completely vegan interior as standard. The seat surfaces in the Veganza version are also optionally available with a decorative quilting. Further optional equipment includes BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery in several bi-colour variants.

Other highlights of the optional equipment programme include the panoramic glass roof and the Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System with up to 18 loudspeakers.

This new 5’er Touring offers more space and noticeably more leg, shoulder and elbow room, especially in the rear, as well as optimised acoustic comfort. Good for those family road trips up north, and I don’t just mean to KL. Think further afield, to the land of tom yum.

A wider luggage compartment opening combined with a low sill makes it easy to stow large items of luggage. This is why I love wagons. They ride lower like sedans, and have lots of practicality similar to SUVs.

With the rear seatbacks up, 570-litres of boot space is available.

Remotely unlock the 40:20:40 split rear seatbacks from the luggage compartment, drop them all and 1,700-litres of Giant- and Ikea-swallowing capaciousness opens up.

Storage compartments under the load compartment floor provide space for the luggage compartment partition net, luggage compartment cover and charging cable for the all-electric and plug-in hybrid models.

Being a BMW, expect technology up the wazoo, such as the optional Driving Assistant Professional including Steering and Lane Control Assist and Distance Control with Stop & Go function.

Park Assistant is standard, while the optional Parking Assistant Professional enables automated parking and manoeuvring up to 200 metres that’s controlled from outside the car using a smartphone.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, folks. More to come, stay tuned.

Photo Credits: BMW

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Just a few weeks after dropping the all-electric BMW i5 and some combustion engine variants juiced up with 48-volt mild hybrid tech, BMW is rolling out not one, but two plug-in hybrid models for the BMW 5 Series come this November. Meet the BMW 530e Sedan and the BMW 550e xDrive Sedan, the latest additions to the BMW family.

The new 5 Series Sedan will soon offer the entire spectrum of electrified powertrains, and these two hybrids are the icing on the cake.

The BMW 530e Sedan, with its four-cylinder petrol engine, and the BMW 550e xDrive Sedan, with an in-line six-cylinder petrol engine, are setting new standards. Both are armed with the latest BMW eDrive technology for plug-in hybrid systems.

The electric motor in these hybrids isn’t just an afterthought; it’s seamlessly integrated into the 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, along with its power electronics. The result? Exceptional efficiency and a power boost of up to 145 kW (197 hp) for the 550e Sedan and 135 kW (184 hp) for the 530e Sedan, adding to the overall system output.

The BMW 550e xDrive Sedan, the kingpin of this duo, is a powerhouse. Its 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine combined with eDrive tech churns out 360 kW (489 hp) and a monstrous 700 Nm of torque. This beast sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds, and its top speed is electronically capped at 250 km/h. But here’s the kicker – it can go up to 140 km/h in pure electric mode. 

The BMW 530e Sedan, on the other hand, flexes its muscles with a 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder petrol engine and eDrive tech, delivering a maximum system output of 220 kW (299 hp) and a maximum torque of 450 Nm. It can race from 0 to 100 km/h in a respectable 6.3 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h, or up to 140 km/h in pure electric mode.

Both these hybrids bring more than just a pretty face to the table; they’ve got stamina. The electric range for the BMW 550e xDrive Sedan is 83 to 90 kilometres, and for the BMW 530e Sedan, it’s an impressive 93 to 103 kilometres. That’s the kind of range that makes longer commutes a breeze without spewing emissions all over the place.

Plus, their aerodynamic designs, complete with clever underbody tweaks, ensure they slice through the air like butter, reducing CO2 emissions and increasing electric range by up to ten kilometres.

But what about regenerative braking? BMW’s got that covered too. Their adaptive recuperation system cleverly harvests energy during the overrun and braking phases. To top it off, it uses navigation data and driver assistance systems to fine-tune the power regeneration according to the road ahead.

The lithium-ion high-voltage battery is neatly tucked away in the vehicle underbody, keeping the centre of gravity low and leaving you with a generous 520 litres of storage space, just like the non-hybrid siblings.

And here’s some good news for the impatient souls – the maximum charging power has been doubled so that you can juice up from zero to 100 per cent in just 3 hours and 15 minutes. At a regular household socket, it’ll take a little over 11 hours, so you can wake up to a fully charged ride.

And before I forget, these hybrids come loaded with tech. From 19-inch alloy wheels to the BMW IconicSounds Electric system that serenades you with acoustic feedback as you accelerate in electric mode.

If you’re eyeing the BMW 550e xDrive Sedan, it comes standard with Adaptive Chassis Professional, which includes electronically controlled shock absorbers and a lowered suspension, along with Integral Active Steering. It’s like having your car whisper sweet driving advice in your ear.

And the pièce de résistance? The BMW Interaction Bar is an ambient lighting marvel combining functionality with breathtaking design. Touch-sensitive panels control ventilation, air conditioning, and hazard lights, all wrapped in a mesmerizing crystalline surface that spans the width of the instrument panel and into the door panels.

The BMW 5 Series Sedan is ushering us into a new era of driving, one where power, efficiency, and style converge in electrifying harmony.

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It’s not just your run-of-the-mill 5 Series; it’s got a twist that’s electrifying the Singaporean automotive scene.

First things first, let’s talk numbers. The starting price for the 520i, the base model, kicks off at S$385,888 with COE. And, for the first time ever, BMW is offering the 5 Series in a full-electric i5 eDrive40 variant. This electric variant starts from S$417,888 with COE.

Now, if you like your cars with some sporty touches, you’re in luck. Both the 520i and the i5 eDrive40 are available in the sportier M Sport spec. The M Sport cars come with a lower, sportier suspension setup and some slightly more aggressive design elements. 

BMW is also offering a limited run of 20 Launch Edition units for both models (10 of each). What makes these Launch Edition models extra special? Well, for starters, they come with unique 20-inch wheels that are exclusively finished in Titanium Bronze. That finish extends to the interior and exterior trim and even the grille.

Now, let’s get to the meat of the matter – the design. The new 5 Series has grown in size, now 5,060mm long, 1,900mm wide, and 1,515mm tall, with a wheelbase that stands at 2,995mm. In simple terms, it’s bigger, bolder, and more impressive than ever before. You’ll feel the difference when you get behind the wheel.

But the design isn’t just about size; it’s about making a statement. The iconic double kidney grille takes centre stage (thank god it hasn’t been elongated), and you can even opt for the Iconic Glow illumination around the frame.

Pair that with the sleek new LED headlights, and you’ve got a front end that means business. And let’s not forget the rear end, which takes inspiration from the latest 7 Series, with its slim LED taillights and that classic Hofmeister kink on the C-pillar. It’s a design that’s both familiar and forward-thinking.

The interior of the new 5 Series borrows cues from the 7 Series too, with the usual BMW Curved Display double-screen setup. You’ve got a 14.9-inch central infotainment screen paired with a 12.3-inch digital driver instrument display, creating the illusion of one massive screen.

The BMW Interaction Bar is present too; a backlit element with a crystalline effect, complete with adjustable lighting and touch-sensitive control panels. It’s like stepping into the future.

And speaking of the future, the new 5 Series comes equipped with the latest BMW Operating System 8.5. It’s got a revised user interface and something called “QuickSelect,” which lets you access functions without diving into submenus. Convenience at your fingertips, quite literally.

Plus, you get the Parking Assistant Plus package as standard, which includes nifty features like Parking View, Panorama View, and even a Remote 3D View function that lets you see a 3D live image of your car and its surroundings on your smartphone.

Now, let’s talk power, because what’s a BMW without some serious oomph under the hood? The 520i packs a 2.0-litre turbo inline-four engine that churns out 190hp and 310Nm of torque. It’s no slouch, going from 0-100km/h in a respectable 8.1 seconds and hitting a top speed of 230km/h.

The i5 eDrive40 is the first-ever full-electric 5 Series, and boasts 313hp and 400Nm of torque, which can be boosted to a whopping 340hp and 430Nm of torque with the My Mode Sport and Sport Boost/Launch Control functions activated.

Translation? 0-100km/h in a lightning-fast 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 193km/h. Electrifying in more ways than one.

And let’s not forget the range. The i5 eDrive40 is equipped with an 81.2kWh battery that can take you up to 582km on a full charge. That’s a lot of kilometres between charging stops. 

Plus, it’s an eco-warrior with an electric power consumption rate of just 19.5kWh/100km. And if you’re in a hurry, no worries – it can handle up to 205kW in DC fast charging, which means you can go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 30 minutes.

The all-new BMW 5 Series is bigger, bolder, and more electrifying than ever. It’s a car that combines the best of BMW’s design, technology, and performance, all wrapped up in a sleek and stylish package.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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October 2023 is when the latest generation BMW 5 Series sedan will be market-launched, and we expect it to make its way to Singapore some time in 2024. With this latest generation, code name G60, BMW would like to emphasize its electric vehicle (EV) 5 Series, named i5.

From launch, there will be two variants, namely the i5 eDrive40 and the top-spec EV i5 M60 xDrive. The former features a single motor driving the rear wheels only, while the hotter latter has two motors driving both front and rear wheels.

With up to 340hp and 430Nm of torque for the i5 eDrive40 and up to 601hp and 820Nm of torque for the i5 M60 xDrive, the 0-100km/h sprint is seen off in 6.0- and 3.8-seconds respectively.

Both i5 variants feature DC fast-charging at up to 205kW and can charge their battery packs from 10%-80% in 30 minutes. Range is said to be between 497-582 km for the i5 eDrive40 and 455-516 km for the i5 M60 xDrive.

For those who prefer to continue with internal combustion for a while longer in Singapore, there will also be a 48-volt mild-hybrid version of the 5 Series called the 520i, with a two-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine putting 190hp and 310Nm of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other markets will receive a diesel-variant of the 5 Series in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.

No word yet on whether there’ll be a tarmac-busting hotted-up G60 M5, but if it happens, we expect it to have a downsized engine mated to a hybrid system. This may not necessarily be a bad thing if it can improve fuel economy and still thrill like the outgoing M5 does.

Compared to the outgoing 5 Series, the G60 grows by 97mm in length to 5,060mm, a number that was once reserved for luxury limousines like the 7 Series. Wheelbase increases by 20mm to 2,995mm which means more legroom inside.

The inside of the G60 5 Series sees a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen, both of which curve in a driver-centric and ergonomic manner. Gone, however, are physical buttons and knobs for climate control, being replaced by touchscreen controls on the larger infotainment screen.

One (or two) people can connect to the updated iDrive 8 system with their smartphone(s) and play video games, presumably while waiting for their i5 to charge its battery pack at a public DC fast charger.

In a first for BMW, the interior is trimmed in full vegan spec called Veganza, including the seat surfaces, dashboard, door panels and steering wheel. BMW’s Individual Merino leather in several bi-colour variants is also optionally available.

We’ll bring you more when the new 5 Series comes to town. Stay tuned.

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