BMW 5 Series gets refreshed

Saturday, 30 May 2020

BMW has refreshed its 5 series, bringing the design language closer to the new 3 Series and adding more mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

The overall 5 Series isn't much different from the outgoing model, with the changes largely evolutionary. There are sleeker LED headlights, a (slightly) enlarged kidney grille with longer and wider pieces and M-Sport models get an edited front fascia. Around back, the taillights have new L-shaped inlays to match the headlights and slim black surrounding trim.

Inside is largely identical to before, save for the addition of iDrive 7 and a standard 12.3-inch digital display with Apple Carplay/Android Auto support.

The changes are subtle but they're there.

New Zealand specifications aren't confirmed just yet but overseas markets will get a new 48-volt mild hybrid system for the six-cylinder 540i, which should help make the car more efficient and responsive. Power remains at 250kW but torque should be improved some thanks to those new electricals.

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Now we wait until the refreshed M5 debuts in a few weeks...

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The 530e now offers 215kW/420Nm from its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-banger. That's 29kW more than before, all available for ten seconds when the accelerator is buried through a feature called 'XtraBoost'. Meanwhile, the M550i xDrive retains its 390kW/723Nm 4.4-litre biturbo V8.

The apex 5 Series remains the M5, the facelifted version of which will be revealed in the next couple of weeks. There's no immediate word on whether the 'standard' M5 will get a power bump or not but a CS version is planned which could feature an upgraded 4.4-litre V8.

Full local details should be released ahead of a Kiwi launch, scheduled for this October.