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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