Hybrid and EV Sedans Revealed

The current BMW 5 Series exists today as perhaps the most straight-forward styled sedan the German automaker sells, with smoother lines than the muscled 3 Series and less funk than the new 7 Series and i7. It’s still pretty much what it always has been: a traditional but performance-oriented rear-wheel drive biased executive car. But now that formula is being forced to adapt to the electric era, with the brand now introducing the 2024 BMW 5 Series 48-volt mild hybrid and all-new i5 electric sedan.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series will initially go into production as the 530i and 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 xDrive, with a U.S.-only 540i xDrive model coming later in September 2023. The 530i and 540i xDrive models will get 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain setups, whereas the i5 trims all-electric vehicles. A plug-in hybrid model is said to be coming in 2024; it will be dubbed the 550e, and we’ll learn more about it closer to its release.

BMW says the new 5 Series has grown in length by 3.4 inches (199.2 inches total), in width by 1.3 inches (74.8 inches total), and in height by 1.4 inches (59.6 inches total), with an increased wheelbase of 0.8 inches to 117.9 for improved rear seating comfort—it also makes it the longest wheelbase in its segment. Each model is adjusted to achieve a near 50-50 weight distribution.

The automaker claims the new kidney grilles on the 5 is inspired by the previous generations known for their “shark nose” grilles, and the four-element headlights return with new vertical DRLs and turn signal signatures. Down the silhouette, BMW has exaggerated the upright grille against the long hood, along with a more sloping roofline that runs to the rear. The most efficient smaller available wheels start at 19-inches, and options go up to 21-inches. Black side skirts help cut down the visual weight of the side profile, and the iconic Hofmeister kink in the window trim now sports an embossed number “5.” At the rear, the subtle L-shape of the taillights is picked up by a strip of chrome, with an overall flat rear end, likely for aerodynamic advantage.

The internal combustion engine (ICE) 5 Series sports the latest generation of BMW’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, improving power output by 7 horsepower and 38 lb-ft of torque for a grand total of 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque for the 530i and xDrive. The more powerful 540i xDrive will sport a 3.0-liter inline-six that maxes out 40 horsepower higher (now at 375 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque), with an additional limited torque boost function up to 398 lb-ft from the 48-volt hybrid system. All gas models are linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 530i can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds; the 530i xDrive takes 5.8 seconds; the 540i xDrive takes 4.5 seconds.

Now that the dinosaur DNA is out of the way, we can get to the all-electric side of things starting with the eDrive40, which gets you a single rear-mounted electric motor good for 335 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, but can be boosted up to 317 lb-ft in Sport Boost and Launch Control. The eDrive40 has an electronically-limited top speed of 120 mph, and can get from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, just barely besting the base gas counterpart and more than a second slower than the 540i xDrive, which is interesting.

If you want better performance, go all-wheel drive with the i5 M60 xDrive, which sits at the top of the new 5 Series range with 590 hp from two axle-mounted integrated drive units that each house an e-motor and transmission. The front setup is good for 257 hp, the rear is good for 335 hp, and together, total system torque is 549 lb-ft, which can be enhanced to 605 lb-ft in M Sport Boost or M Launch Control modes. The i5 M60 xDrive gets from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, with an electronically-limited top speed of 143 mph on performance tires (or 130 mph if on all-seasons). Launch Control is also available on the eDrive40 model.

The i5’s compact battery pack is comprised of four modules with 72 cells each, and three modules with 12 cells each; BMW says there are no compromises between gas and all-electric versions of the 5 Series when it comes to occupant space. The pack features 84.3 kWh of usable energy storage; the eDrive40 on 19-inch wheels is estimated to get up to 295 miles of range on a single charge, and the M60 xDrive is estimated at 256 miles—all estimates based on EPA procedures, but not yet official EPA numbers.

The i5 features a Level 2 AC charging rate up to 11 kW and a DC fast charging rate of up to 205 kW, topping up the battery from 10 to 80 percent charge in about half an hour. The i5 also comes with two years of complimentary charging at Electrify America’s DC fast charging stations in 30 minute sessions, so you better hope the charger is in great working order and you get a good rate. i5 models get a new optional “Max Range” drive mode that kills the climate control system, seat heating and ventilation, steering wheel heating, and limits the top speed to 56 mph; it’s immediately turned off with a harsh kick of the go pedal.

The 5 Series will go on sale in October 2023. The 530i will start at $58,895 (or $61,195 in xDrive form), the i5 eDrive40 at $67,795, the i5 M60 xDrive at $86,095, and the 540i xDrive at $65,895. Pricing and availability for the PHEV will be available later.