The BMW 5 Series LWB has made its India debut, with ours being the primary market exterior China ­­– and the one right-hand-drive market – to get the stretched govt luxurious sedan.This makes it the third long-wheelbase sedan within the model’s India vary, after the 3 Series Gran Limousine and the 7 Series, and as such is a extra direct rival for the section chief, the long-wheelbase Mercedes E-Class. Prices will probably be revealed on July 24, 2024, as will extra technical particulars, however here’s what we all know to this point.

2024 BMW 5 Series LWB dimensions, exterior design

The large speaking level with the brand new 5 Series is its expanded dimensions, which aren’t solely far better than these of its predecessor but in addition the E-Class LWB, making it the biggest car within the class. In truth, at 5,175mm lengthy, 1,900mm vast and 1,520mm tall, with a wheelbase of three,105mm, it’s even bigger than the next-generation E-Class LWB (L/W/H: 5,092/1,880/1,493mm, WB: 3,094mm), which is because of be launched later this yr. An fascinating aspect observe relating to nomenclature: BMW calls this the ‘5 LWB’, whereas the stretched 3 Series is named the Gran Limousine.The 7 Series will get no suffix in any respect.

Its wheelbase is 11mm longer than the next-gen E-Class. 

BMW calls this a ‘2.5-boxdesign’, alluding to its flowing roofline that’s meant to present a extra coupe-like form, and has used contour strains and distinction colors strategically on the bodywork, however none of thisis sufficient to disguise the sheer measurement of the LWB 5 Series. What doesn’t assistance is using 18-inch wheels, whose small measurement relative to the big dimensions make them look meek, despite the fact that they use a sporty Y-spoke design. What’s extra, tyres throughout are slender 225/55 R18s with tall sidewalls, whereas the previous 5’s staggered setup, with fats 275/40 R18s on the rear, gave it its attribute sporty stance. The tall rubber solely serves to spotlight the big wheel-arch gaps, though the resultant floor clearance, a typical concern with long-wheelbase sedans, does at the very least look like beneficiant, and 19-inch wheels will probably be out there as an choice.

18-inch wheels don’t fill the wheel wells.

The car seen right here is the range-topping M Sport variant, that includes a beneficiant use of sporty trim inserts within the entrance and rear bumpers. Light gold brushed metallic trim is a welcome substitute for chrome, and options within the bumpers, window encompass and grille. Speaking of the grille, true to BMW kind, it’s a lot bigger than earlier than, however not fairly as large as on the model’s SUVs. It additionally includes a extra horizontal orientation befitting a sedan and canbe backlit at evening, in case you’re so inclined. The swept-up headlamps are paying homage to the E60 5 Series (the technology that debuted the mannequin in India again in 2007), whereas the tail-lamps have been simplified into slim horizontal strips.

2024 BMW 5 Series LWB rear seat

The 3,105mm wheelbase is 110mm longer than the standard-wheelbase mannequin (out there in India because the i5), and 212mm longer than the earlier 5, and this has all gone into the again seat. You carry the flush door deal with and swing open a really lengthy rear door that encapsulates the rear quarter glass, and thus requires care in tight areas. Ingress is simple, the bench is just not set too low, and the primary sensation is of house. Legroom is huge, head room is beneficiant, and the big home windows and moon roof let numerous mild in. On that subject, the big roof-mounted glass is one massive fixed-glass pane, as BMW says this allowed for a bigger glass space and higher head room than an openable dual-pane sunroof, however a obtrusive omission is shades for the rear home windows and rear windscreen; one thing even the previous 5 Series had!

It is kind of roomy on the again, however lack of sunglasses is a obtrusive omission. 

Perhaps much more noticeable is the absence of any type of rear-seat adjustment; a characteristic that’s one of many large attracts of the 5’s long-wheelbase rival from Mercedes. BMW says it was into account throughout growth, however was in the end dropped in favour of a hard and fast seat with thicker cushioning. Adjustable seats require extra space for his or her vary of motion, therefore must have thinner cushions, argues BMW, and the motors merely add complexity and value. Instead, the seat again has been angled at a beneficiant 31 levels (a totally reclined E-Class seat sits at 37 levels), and the seats are thickly padded and closely contoured for 2. The cushioning even extends onto the perimeters – like within the iX – offering added shoulder help, and there are neck pillows for extra consolation. Truth be informed, it really works, and it’s a genuinely comfy seating expertise, however there’s no denying that the recline perform would have added some wow issue and that Business Class really feel.

2024 BMW 5 Series LWB options and tech

It may have additionally allowed rear passengers to maneuver the entrance passenger seat, however that too is lacking. You don’t get the 7 Series’ fancy in-door touchscreen controllers, however there’s a touchscreen for the rear local weather management, in addition to a rear wi-fi cellphone charger, along with two up entrance. On the subject of options, there are some welcome inclusions like front-seat air flow, matrix LED headlamps, an 18-speaker, 655W Bowers & Wilkins sound system and 6 USB-C ports. While you don’t get the 7’s roof-mounted 8K TV display, you may add a standard two-screen rear-entertainment system as an choice. There’s additionally a extra strong ADAS suite than the earlier 5 Series, and itincludes entrance collision warning and braking, lane hold help and parking help, however no adaptive cruise management.

Up entrance you’ll discover the smart-looking twin curved screenlayout made up of a 14.9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s show. As we’ve seen within the 7 Series and iX, each are crisp, easy and vibrant, with futuristic graphics, however the brand new iDrive 8.5 UI can really feel a bit too cluttered and sophisticated. The centre console homes the iDrive rotary controller, quantity management, drive modes, parking help, and naturally, the gear choose toggle, however AC controls have been relegated to the touchscreen.

Many bits borrowed from the dearer 7 Series.

As within the 7 Series, the AC vents are hidden within the dashboard and are operated by digital toggles, which,although unintuitive, offers it a minimalist look. The ‘interaction bar’ – a strip of crystalline trim with adaptive ambient lighting behind it – can be borrowed from the 7, and this modifications primarily based on the drive mode.It even homes contact buttons for capabilities like door lock/unlock, AC air move and the hazard lights. Quality is superb throughout, with the open-pore wooden, steel speaker grilles and well-built steering wheel being standouts. Speaking of which, that is the primary BMW to characteristic a totally vegan-upholstered inside.

2024 BMW 5 Series LWB anticipated worth and launch

The new 5 Series LWB is not going to solely change the 5 Series but in addition (ultimately) the 6 Series GT, and as such, it has to serve each fashions’ prospects. And the truth that the dearer (and back-seat-focused) 6 GT outsold the 5 considerably in recent times, makes it clear that this section has shifted firmly to chauffeur-driven prospects. Thus, the choice to make the brand new 5 an LWB mannequin is not any shock, given the success of not simply the E-Class LWB but in addition the three Series LWB decrease down.

With this repositioning will little question come a worth climb, and with all of the additions, we count on this new-gen mannequin to be dearer than even the present 6 Series GT (Rs 73.5 lakh to Rs 78.9 lakh), despite the fact that it misses out on options like air suspension and rear-seat recline that the 6 will get as commonplace. Moreover, its arch rival, the E-Class, is due for a new-generation mannequin this yr, and its worth will go up as effectively. We’ll know the worth on July 24, when the 5 Series LWB is launched, and someplace in between, we should always be capable of share our full assessment as effectively. What’s clear is that luxurious sedan consumers will quickly be spoilt for alternative.

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