BMW India, is set to introduce the eighth-generation 5-Series in India later this year. The new 5-Series will be available in both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric versions, with different wheelbase options.
Long Wheelbase BMW 5-Series
The new 5-Series will be locally assembled in India and will be offered in a long-wheelbase (LWD) version. This move is not unexpected as long-wheelbase sedans have found favor with Indian luxury car buyers, most of whom are chauffeur-driven and appreciate the added legroom that only a stretched wheelbase can provide.
The LWD 5-Series, currently only available in China, measures 5,175 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,520 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,105mm. This makes it 145 mm longer overall than the regular 5-Series, and the wheelbase is longer by 110 mm.
The new 5-Series will be offered in 530Li spec, powered by a 255 hp, 400 Nm, twin-turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology. The sedan will also get a two-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a freestanding 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, four-zone climate control, and reclining rear seats.
Short Wheelbase BMW i5 EV
The all-electric i5, on the other hand, will be imported in its short-wheelbase (SWB) guise. Converting left-hand drive to right-hand drive is not a simple process and even requires re-certification, effectively making it a new car.
The i5 EV will be offered in eDrive40 appearance, featuring a 340 hp, rear axle-mounted motor driven by an 81.2 kWh battery pack. It produces 600 PS and 820 Nm, making it sprint from a standstill to 100 kmph in just 3.8 seconds. With its 81.2 kWh battery pack powering dual motors, it gives a WLTP range of up to 516 km.
Once launched, the new 5-Series will compete against the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The i5 EV, meanwhile, is expected to be priced somewhere around INR 1.5 crore (ex-showroom) and will rival other EVs in the market such as the Audi e-tron GT.
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