Top 5 changes in the new BMW 5 Series

The new 2017 BMW 5 Series is slated for a 2017 arrival to compete with the newly launched Mercedes-Benz E-Class. But, the launch is mid-year and if you were waiting for the new 5 Series to come before you made up your mind as to which executive luxury sedan to buy, here are a few things that will help you with your wait.

1. New platform

The 2017 BMW 5 Series that will come to India is the seventh generation (G30) car built on the OKL platform. Since it is a new generation car, the chassis has been built ground up with a mix of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), magnesium and aluminium added to high-strength steel making the new 5 Series almost 100kg lighter than the current F10 car. And this is remarkable especially since the new 5 series is longer (4936mm) than the current car along with a longer wheelbase (2975mm).

The India car, as usual, will be sprung differently as compared to the European-spec car. The suspension will be softer and the car will sit taller in India with the rear-wheel steering ticked off the list. It is said that the G30 5 Series handles better than the F10 and we cannot wait to find that out.

2. New looks

Well, the new 5 Series gets the new old looks of a typical BMW. New because they have the modern LED headlamps in those classic LED corona rings flanking the twin kidney grilles. The design is not busy but there is aggression in that sculpted fascia. 

The 5 Series is like a baby 7 Series and with its almost 5 metre long body, distinguishing the two from far away would be difficult even for many enthusiasts. The long hood, spacious cabin and a generous boot make up its profile along with a breathing vent that scoops just ahead of the front door.

The tail design might make you think if this is just a facelift but look closer and you will know well the all-new design retains the old legacy.

3. Gesture control

Technology from all walks of science have trickled into automotive engineering to make them easier and luxurious. The wheelbase of the G30 (2975mm) is longer than the F10 and opens up quite a bit of cabin space for the occupants. BMWs are drivers’ cars and the cabin space for the front row is humungous. Reaching out to different buttons while driving might be distracting and hence gesture control helps keeping your focus on driving all the time. 

Gesture control is a part of the new iDrive interface between the driver and the car. The iDrive allows you to change the ambient lighting, vehicle setup, audio setup and other settings through the rotary knob, touchscreen or the steering mounted controls with different levels of access to each interface.

4. Remote parking

Speaking about technology, this one will make you feel like James Bond. The intelligent remote key fob of the new 5 Series turns in to a remote control to help you move your car from outside. But since this is a 5er, James Bond works within a budget which lets the car only move in a straight line. The feature is ideal for those who have garages at the end of their driveways, for others, it’s a feature that no other German can brag about right now.

5. Price

The 2017 5 Series is all new in every respect and has been built to make sure the occupants are treated with luxury with the right dose of BMW legacy of being drivers’ cars. Being all-new and with added equipment, the price tag will also go up but we are sure that the Bavarian company will keep it below the Mercedes E-Class. We expect it to be priced at about Rs 55 lakh for the entry-level trim with the 2.0-litre petrol engine or the 2.0-litre diesel engine while the top-spec car with the 3.0-litre 258bhp straight six will be priced at about Rs 65 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.