The significance of Munich’s esteemed mid-size icon , the 2024 BMW 5 series, goes beyond its sales figures, holding immense importance to the company. Today, the unveiling of the eighth-generation 2024 Five marks a truly remarkable milestone in the model’s 51-year history. What makes this release particularly notable is that it is the first-ever offering of the BMW 5 Series with an electric drivetrain, signifying a groundbreaking shift towards sustainable mobility.
The new Five Series from BMW is described as having a modern and athletic design, with cool flush-fit door handles and a distinct ‘5’ marking near the C-pillar. While it retains a traditional sedan look with single deck headlights, the electric i5 variant is differentiated by its wheel designs, badges, and blanked grille. Optional illuminated grille surrounds are expected to be a popular choice for both versions.
The simultaneous launch of the electric i5 and combustion-powered 5-Series is a result of them sharing the same car platform, BMW’s CLAR. Despite this shared foundation, both models boast an array of innovative technologies, compensating for the increased starting price. The base 530i now begins at $57,900, a $1,900 hike compared to the 2023 version, while interestingly, the new 540i xDrive is actually $300 more affordable than its predecessor.
While the G60 5-Series offers both ICE power options and electric drivetrains, BMW is placing a clear emphasis on the electric aspect and has exclusively shared images of the i5 variant, omitting the ICE Five. It is possible that other i5 variants will be introduced in the future, but for the initial release, buyers are presented with a choice between the eDrive 40, featuring a single-motor and rear-wheel drive, priced at $66,800 (depicted here in gray), and the xDrive M60, equipped with dual motors and all-wheel drive, priced at $84,100.
Opt for the more affordable option, and you’ll have 335 horsepower, reaching 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Spend an extra $17,300 for the M60 variant, and you’ll get an additional 257 horsepower, reducing the acceleration time to just 3.7 seconds. Both versions share an 84.3 kWh underfloor battery pack, supporting 11 kW AC or 205 kW DC charging. A 30-minute DC charge can take the battery from 10% to 80%.
Not ready for an EV? BMW has you covered with a PHEV 5-Series coming in 2024. At launch, the available combustion engines are mild hybrids, including the 530i and 530i xDrive, offering 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The xDrive variant reaches 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, slightly faster despite a weight disadvantage.
Great news for traditionalists! You can still opt for an inline six in your 5-Series without waiting for the next year’s M5. The 540i xDrive now requires all-wheel drive and features a 375 horsepower (380 PS) 3.0-liter TwinPower six engine, providing a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, a 0.1-second improvement from the previous model.
