BMW has made a surprise u-turn on the unveiling date of the new 5 Series by confirming its world premiere, including that of the all-electric i5, on 24 May instead of October.
The exact reason for the forwarded debut being unknown, what is well documented though is that the internally designated G60 5 Series will become the most technologically advanced and “comfortable” ever made according to Munich’s boss, Oliver Zipse.
Styled not by 7
Debuting as the eighth generation 5 Series, but the first i5 that backs-up the i4 and i7 as BMW’s latest generation all-electric models, the G60 has remained an otherwise well disguised secret from a design perspective as no images have leaked thus far.
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As such, styling inspiration is likely to come from either updated 3 Series or the 4 Series, but not the controversially styled 7 Series as some unconfirmed reports have alleged.
In addition to the sedan, the i5 will also be offered in Touring estate, a first for BMW and also Europe as no performance all-electric station wagon is known to currently exist. Like the i4, the i5 will initially be sold only as the M Performance flavoured i5 M50.
Inside and up front
Inside, the G60 will be the first to receive BMW’s latest Curved Display instrument cluster and infotainment system, the latter equipped with the completely new 8.5 Operating System, plus a range of features so far not disclosed.
In terms of motivation, the combustion engine 5 Series will continue to offer both petrol and diesel engines, but with the likely standard availability of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system across all units.
Besides the i5, a plug-in hybrid variant will be also sold under the 5 Series banner, although no longer expected, is the six-speed manual gearbox until now largely reserved for entry-level four-cylinder petrol and diesel derivatives in Europe.
Expect the ZF-sourced eight-speed Steptronic gearbox to be standard fare with drive going to the rear wheels, or optionally to all four via the xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
Possible year-end debut for South Africa
Entering production at the Dingolfing Plant in Germany within the coming months, projections are that the 5 Series will become available in South Africa before year-end followed by the i5 in 2024.
However, expect an official announcement by BMW South Africa after the 5 Series’ unveiling.
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