It’s always a nice feeling to head to the BMW Training Centre and see all kinds of Bimmers parked around. However, the absence of a certain car was felt, but fret not, because it’s well on its way. The 2024 BMW 5 Series is set to be launched on July 24, set to up the ante against the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This isn’t going to be a very detailed report, since the car on display was essentially a pre-production unit. However, we can tell you what the car looks and feels like.
This is the first time we are getting the long-wheelbase version of the 5 Series, and hence it measures 5,175 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,520 mm in height, clearly having grown 212 mm longer, 32 mm wider, and 41 mm taller than the outgoing G30 5 Series. At 3,105 mm, the wheelbase is also 130 mm longer.
Up front, the kidney grilles receive illumination for the first time, clearly inspired by its big brother, the 7 Series, and it also receives a gold/copper-like surround. The grille has grown larger in size, and the headlights are also sleeker and angular-looking than before. The bumpers also receive the gold/copper inserts seen similarly around the kidney grille. The profile gets a rather smooth, uncluttered design, with just the shoulder line and a crease running lower down the doors. The door handles will remind you of the X1, and the Mini Cooper EV to some extent, which is yet to arrive.
Moving to the rear, BMW has decided not to follow the ‘connected tail lights’ design trend, and I am actually glad it didn’t. The sleek tail lights blend rather neatly into the tailgate, and the roofline also flows smoothly towards the rear. The gold/copper inserts can be seen at the rear bumper as well, and the diffuser seems to mimic the twin-tailpipe treatment.
Inside, you’ll notice the flat-bottomed steering wheel has been lifted off of the iX, and it feels rather nice to hold. The ambient lighting panels have been inspired by the 7 Series as well, and it makes the interior look rather cool, especially in the blue shade. BMW says for the first time the interiors of the 5 Series receive completely vegan upholstery. We would’ve liked to test the 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system on offer, but I guess we will have to wait till July. The BMW Curved Display system makes its way here as well, running on the latest BMW OS 8.5 software.
BMW didn’t let us peek under the hood of the car, hence we can’t comment on the powertrains just yet. However, we can expect the new 5 Series to feature more powerful versions of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo mills.
More information will be available later in July, so stay tuned for a detailed report!
