BMW 5 Series enters a new electrified era
NEARLY a year after its global debut, the 2024 BMW 5 Series has fiNALLY MADE ITS WAY to the Philippines. As one of the brand’s core models, the 5 Series is a very important vehicle for BMW. The midsize sedan brings to the table a completely new design, cutting-edge tech features, as well as a fully electric variant Two variants of the new 5 Series will be sold: the 520i and the first-ever electric i5. No M Sport variant will be sold this time around, unlike in the outgoing 5 Series. Nevertheless, the new 2024 BMW 5 Series is radically different from the model it replaces. Both models come with 19-inch wheels, along with vertical LED daytime running lights for the LED headlights. Flushed door handles and a gloss black lower portion of the body are also part of the new 5 Series’ looks, along with the Iconic-Glow illuminated kidney grilles. The horizontal LED taillights break away from BMW’s tradition of L-shaped lights.
Inside, the new 2024 BMW 5 Series comes with an updated version of iDrive 8, which is called iDrive 8.5. This consists of a familiar 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch main infotainment screen that’s housed in a single curved glass, and as expected comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
As for the design itself, many of the design flourishes are inspired by the 7 Series, but in the 5 Series, the design is skewed more towards offering a sporty, cocooned space as opposed to the palatial feel of the bigger sedan. Some of those design flourishes from the 7 Series include the LED-lit interaction bar, while in terms of equipment, both variants get Veganza vegan (synthetic) leather upholstery, and a Harman Kardon sound system. Furthermore, it’s also the second model in the BMW Philippines range to receive the BMW ConnectedDrive telematics services.
Electrification is one of the main highlights of the new 2024 BMW 5 Series, because this time around, every powertrain receives varying degrees of voltage power. That’s because for the first time, the 520i’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder comes mated with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, therefore now producing 205 hp and 320 Nm of torque. The electric motor for the mild hybrid system is fitted right in the ZF-manufactured 8-speed automatic itself.
The first-ever i5 will come with an 84.3-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery that can accept up to 11 kW AC (alternating current) or 205 kW DC (direct current) charging. The i5 model that will be sold is the eDrive40, which means it has a single-motor rearwheel drive (RWD) layout that produces 335 hp and 400 Nm of torque that’s good enough for a 0-100 mph time of six seconds.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series also comes with the Parking Assistant’s range of functions, which also includes the reversing assistant that takes control of the steering while backing up for distances of up to 50 meters. Exclusive to the i5 eDrive40, however, is a lane departure warning system with driving assistance while also featuring lane return by means of steering assistance.
The 2024 BMW 5 Series can be yours for P4.99 million for the 520i or P5.79 million for the fully electric i5. Both models come with a 5-year comprehensive warranty, while the BMW i5 eDrive40 also comes with a 6-year BMW Service Inclusive package, an 8-year high voltage battery warranty, and a BMW Wallbox charger that will be installed by a BMW i partner in the customer’s home.