Eight-generation 2024 BMW 5 Series Saloon G60

The eight-generation 5 Series Saloon is on sale now, with five models to choose from, offering petrol, hybrid, and all-electric propulsion, and three exceptionally well-specified trim levels in the UK – M Sport, M Sport Pro and the exclusive i5 M60 xDrive.

The eighth generation vehicle has grown in length by 97mm to 5060mm, in width by 32mm to 1900mm and in height by 36mm to 1515mm. The wheelbase has been increased by 20mm to 2995mm for improved seating comfort, especially in the rear.

Up front, the Adaptive LED Headlights incorporate both the cornering light and the Matrix High Beam, including the glare-free High Beam Assist BMW Selective Beam. M Shadow Line lights with black trim for the inside of the headlight housings are standard on M Sport Pro models.

M Sport Pro variants of the 5 Series Saloon stand out with the illuminated BMW kidney grille with black surround, the dynamic light carpet, high-gloss black exterior mirror caps and a black-painted M rear spoiler. In addition, there are also the M Shadow Line lights for the front and rear and red-painted brake calipers.

With its frameless glass surface slightly inclined towards the driver, the BMW Curved Display consists of a 12.3” Information Display behind the steering wheel and a Control Display with a 14.9” screen, which merge into a single fully digital high-resolution display unit. The iDrive experience, based on BMW Operating System 8.5, offers a new graphic display with a particularly clear start screen and “QuickSelect” access for simple and intuitive touch operation.

BMW has also partnered with gaming platform AirConsole to allow the driver and passengers to play casual games while the vehicle is stationary, for example, to pass the time while charging your i5. You use your smartphone as a controller, and there are currently some 20 games to choose from, with more due to be added in the future.

As standard, the new 5 Series Saloon is the first model in the UK to feature Veganza upholstery from the initial launch. The car includes black seat surfaces in the leatherlike Veganza finish, with the material also extending to the dashboard and door panels. Optionally, the leatherfree surface material is also available with a decorative perforation and in three other colours. Further optional equipment includes BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery in several bi-colour variants.

There’s a newly designed threespoke, flat-bottom steering wheel, with contrast stitching in BMW M colours. In the i5 M60 xDrive, a red centre marker on the steering wheel emphasizes its sporty character. A steering wheel heating function is offered on all models as part of the Comfort Pack.

The control panel on the centre console has also been redesigned. The iDrive Controller, new gear selector switch, start-stop button, My Modes buttons, volume control and other buttons are clearly arranged on the centre panel. With the CraftedClarity option, crystal glass applications for selected controls add a luxurious touch. A wireless charging tray is included as standard on all models.

The newly designed seats offer increased comfort and optimised adjustment options. Sport seats are included as standard and incorporate electric height and inclination adjustment as well as a heating function. The backrests of the outer rear seats extend far into the door areas, increasing comfort. The entire rear seat backrest is now divided as standard in the ratio 40:20:40. The luggage compartment of the new 5 Series Saloon has a total storage volume of up to 520 litres (490 litres on i5 models).

The standard equipment of the new 5 Series Saloon includes automatic air conditioning with an extended range of features. In the instrument panel area, seam vents are used instead of conventional air vents, positioned at the height of the BMW Interaction Bar. A four-zone automatic air conditioning system with a separate control panel in the rear, air vents in the B-pillars and nanoparticle filters is available as part of the Comfort Plus Pack. For the first time, the air conditioning makes it possible to separately regulate the temperature in the front footwells.

The optional panoramic glass roof is a first for the new 5 Series Saloon. It covers almost the entire roof surface and extends without interruption from just behind the windscreen to almost the rear window. An optional interior sunblind provides shading of the interior.

The standard Harman Kardon Surround Sound System provides a high-level sound experience with 12 speakers and a 205-watt amplifier. With 18 speakers and amplifier output boosted to 655 watts, the optional Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System guarantees an outstanding acoustic experience.

A new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is standard, with shift paddles on the steering wheel and a Sport Boost function activated by the left paddle.

All new 5 Series Saloons are equipped with the latest electromechanical power steering as standard with Servotronic, while Integral Active Steering comes as part of the Adaptive Suspension Professional package. Depending on vehicle speed, the rear wheels are turned either against the front wheels or in the same direction by up to 2.5°. At low speeds, this aids with manoeuvring in and out of parking spaces, while the turning circle is reduced by more than 0.6 metres to 11.7 metres.

The new 5 Series Saloon is equipped with M sport suspension as standard. It includes a firmer tuning of the springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, combined with a lowering of the vehicle by 8mm. The BMW i5 also features stroke-dependent control of the dampers on both axles. The additional hydraulic damping calms the body when compensating for vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces. The i5 is also equipped with rear-axle selflevelling air suspension as standard.

The Adaptive Suspension Professional with electronically controlled dampers is optionally available across the range. Meanwhile, the i5 M60 can be specced with Adaptive M Suspension Professional with additional Active Roll Stabilisation.

The standard equipment of the new 5 Series Saloon includes 19” alloy wheels on M Sport models, while M Sport Pro models receive 20” alloy wheels as standard. In addition to the tyre pressure display, the new BMW 5 Series Saloon features a digital tyre condition monitoring system as standard, making it possible to detect tyre issues earlier. This is made possible by a diagnostic function using artificial intelligence (AI) in the BMW backend.

Driving Assistant Professional, available as part of the Tech Pack Plus, includes Distance Control with Stop & Go function and Steering and Lane Control Assistant. Further components of the system are Side Collision Protection with active return, Road Priority Warning and Wrongway Warning, the front and rear Crossing-traffic Warning with braking function as well as the Emergency Lane Assistant and Emergency Stop Assistant functions in selected countries. Launching initially in Germany, the United States and Canada, this package also includes a new version of the Active Lane Change Assistant, which can be controlled by eye activation. The vehicle suggests a lane change, and this can be carried out by looking in the exterior mirror to confirm. The Active Lane Change Assistant makes the necessary steering movements automatically up to a speed of 85mph. The launch timeframe for this functionality in the UK market is not confirmed.

The standard Parking Assistant includes start monitoring and the Trailer Assistant, as well as a Reversing Assist Camera that creates panoramic images of the area behind the vehicle. Parking Assistant assists the driver in selecting parallel or perpendicular parking spaces. The standard Reversing Assistant enables automated reversing in narrow environments such as multistorey car parks. Parking Assistant Plus, part of the Tech Pack, also includes the Parking View, Panorama View Front and 3D View functions. The cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps is part of the standard BMW Live Cockpit Plus. It offers fast and dynamic route calculation based on real-time traffic data. In addition, the new BMW Maps system allows drivers to use improved route planning optimised for charging on long-distance journeys with the i5.

The optional Comfort Access function also includes the BMW Digital Key Plus. It offers the option of unlocking and locking the new 5 Series Saloon via security-optimised Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology using iOS or Android smartphones or the Apple Watch. Approaching or moving away from the vehicle triggers unlocking or locking. The smartphone can remain in your pocket.

Finally, the Tech Pack includes an interior camera in the roof area that allows passengers to take photos and record video and sound to capture special moments and share them with friends or family. The interior camera is also activated when the anti-theft recorder is triggered.

The new 5 Series Saloon is available to order now, priced from £51,000.

THE 5 SERIES RANGE AT A GLANCE

*These figures may vary depending on the wheel/tyre size and items of optional equipment selected