BMW 5 Series L spotted in China

The new generation BMW 5 Series in a long wheelbase guise has been spotted in China, ahead of its official debut. Christened as 5 Series L, the executive sedan is set to go on sale in China after a formal debut at the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show in April. 

Compared to the standard car, the wheelbase of the 5 Series L is extended by 130mm. The 5 Series L measures 5.08metre in length, 1.86metre in width and 1.5metre in height. The wheelbase of 3.10metre is a tad more than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class L. It will be powered by three petrol engines in China. A 224bhp 2.0-litre engine in the 525Li trim, a 2.0-litre with 252bhp for the 530Li and a new 3.0-litre straight six with 340bhp will power the 540Li. Chinese prices are expected at around 450,000 to 750,000 Yuan (approx. Rs 43-73 lakh). In China, the new 5 Series L will compete against the locally made premium sedans like the Audi A6L, Mercedes-Benz E-Class L, and the Volvo S90 L.

The 5 Series L will be manufactured in China under the Brilliance-BMW joint venture, at the Shenyang facility. Initially, BMW will sell the 5 Series L in China only but has plans to export the car to other countries as well. With Mercedes-Benz bringing the new E-Class long wheelbase as standard, BMW might consider adding the long wheelbase 5 series as an option in future.

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