BMW’s New 5 Series Saloon: One Pure-ICE Variant Available in the UK
The eighth-generation BMW 5 Series saloon is set to arrive in the UK in October, with just one pure-ICE variant available. The new model will be sold in 520i guise, featuring BMW’s latest turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot mild-hybrid petrol engine. This engine produces 205bhp and 236lb ft of torque, reaching 62mph from a standstill in 7.5 seconds and achieving a top speed of 143mph. An eight-speed automatic gearbox comes as standard.
Two diesel models, both using a 193bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine, will be offered in the range but will not be available to UK buyers. Following the car’s launch, the 530e and 550e xDrive plug-in hybrids will also arrive in the UK by the second quarter of 2024. The rear-wheel-drive 530e produces 299bhp, while the four-wheel-drive 550e xDrive produces 489bhp. Both models benefit from a new gearbox-mounted electric motor developing up to 194bhp and up to 332lb ft of torque.
The basis for the new 5 Series is BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, which also underpins all BMW models featuring either a longitudinally mounted internal combustion engine or electric drivetrain. The new model has a more muscular look and is still dominated by BMW’s classic kidney grille, which receives 14 vertical louvres on internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid models.
Inside, the new 5 Series comes with a fully vegan interior as standard, including the seat upholstery, dashboard, door panels, and steering wheel. Buyers can specify Merino leather upholstery for the seats as an option. The steering wheel has been redesigned with simplified multi-function controls, as has the centre console, which houses a sliding gear selector and BMW’s rotary iDrive controller.
The new 5 Series retains a double-wishbone and multi-link suspension, with either steel or air springs and single-stroke or dual-stroke dampers, depending on the model. As with all previous generations, the new 5 Series and i5 for the UK will be produced at BMW’s Dingolfing plant in Germany – the same site that produces the electric motors and battery for other electric-powered BMW models.
UK prices for the new 5 Series start at £49,850 for the 520i, which is £3745 more than today’s 520i M Sport. The 530e and 550e xDrive plug-in hybrids will be available in the UK by the second quarter of 2024. The 530e has an electric-only range of between 54 and 62 miles, while the 550e xDrive has an electric-only range of between 49 and 56 miles. BMW has also increased the AC charging capacity of its petrol-electric 5 Series models to 7.4kW for faster recharging.
In summary, the new BMW 5 Series saloon will be sold in the UK in 520i guise, featuring BMW’s latest turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot mild-hybrid petrol engine. Two diesel models will be offered in the range but will not be available to UK buyers. The 530e and 550e xDrive plug-in hybrids will also arrive in the UK by the second quarter of 2024. The new model has a more muscular look and is still dominated by BMW’s classic kidney grille, which receives 14 vertical louvres on internal combustion engine and plug-in hybrid models. The new 5 Series retains a double-wishbone and multi-link suspension, with either steel or air springs and single-stroke or dual-stroke dampers, depending on the model. UK prices for the new 5 Series start at £49,850 for the 520i.
