BMW 5 Series: revised engine options and new-look styling feature

BMW’s executive model is receiving a variety of upgrades and new features for 2020, ensuring it keeps pace with the soon-to-be-refreshed Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Top five things you need to know about the refreshed BMW 5 Series

• Extensively updated exterior design with enhanced premium feel for the interior
• Newly designed BMW kidney grille now wider and taller
• M Sport Edition variant added to the UK line-up
• Mild-hybrid system fitted to all four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines
• Premiere of BMW Maps: a new cloud-based navigation system

BMW 5 Series styling

The majority of styling changes are concentrated to the front grille, which continues the recent trend of making the kidney grille wider and taller to fit with the reprofiled front bumper.

This subtle change extends to the LED headlights which now feature slimmer contours as well as new three-dimensional sculpted rear lights. All model variants now also feature trapezoidal exhaust tailpipe finishers.

Two non-metallic and eight metallic colours are available as standard, including new Phytonic Blue metallic and Bernina Grey amber-effect metallic paint.

BMW 5 Series interior

Changes to the interior have been mainly focused on the dashboard, which gains a 10.25-inch gloss black Control Display as standard and an optional 12.3-inch unit.

Automatic climate control with extended features and sports leather steering wheel with newly arranged multifunction buttons are further features, while comfort seats and new M multifunction seats with optimised seating comfort are optional.

BMW 5 Series infotainment

The infotainment features the seventh generation of BMW’s operating system, opening up a range of personalisation and connectivity options as well as new apps.

BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant now also features extended functions including optimised interaction and new graphics.

The 5 Series also debuts BMW Maps. This new, cloud-based navigation system offers extremely fast and precise route calculation and arrival times as well as real-time traffic updates.

Standard smartphone integration now also features Android Auto in addition to Apple CarPlay.

Remote Software Upgrade is also introduced in the new BMW 5 Series, with vehicle-specific content and updates for driver assistance systems instantly available.

BMW 5 Series engine and performance

The petrol models include the 520i (181bhp) and 530i (248bhp) four-cylinder engine as well as a six-cylinder 540i (329bhp). The 530i and 540i are available with standard rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive.

At the top of the petrol range is the four wheel-drive M550i xDrive. Featuring a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine, it delivers 523bhp enabling a 0-62mph time of four seconds flat.

Three diesels will also be available. The 520d four-cylinder engine offers 188bhp, while the 530d (281bhp) and 540d xDrive are both six-cylinder. The 520d and 530d come with standard rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive, while the 540d is available with four-wheel drive only.

48V mild hybrid technology now comes as standard on all four- and six-cylinder engines, giving a more rapid responses and enhanced efficiency.

The 5 Series plug-in hybrid range has further expanded, with the 530e updated with the latest evolution of BMW’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. With a combined output of 248bhp and 310lb ft, it has an electric-only range of 42 miles when fully charged.

The new 5 Series also introduces a four wheel-drive 545e xDrive plug-in hybrid, with the turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine offering 248bhp and 107bhp electric motor. In combination this gives the 545e a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Fuel economy is up to 134.5mpg which equates to an electric-only range of 35 miles.

All drivetrains are mated as standard to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with no manual option offered.

BMW 5 Series safety

New driver assistance systems and extended functions pave the way for automated driving in the 5 Series as Lane Departure Warning – part of the optional Driving Assistant – now also features a lane return function.

Driving Assistant Professional is an option that includes Active Navigation with the help of the Lane Change Assistant, automatic formation of emergency lane and junction warning (now with city braking) functions.

Optional Integral Active Steering offers greater assistance in low-speed manoeuvring while 3D visualisation of the surrounding area shows traffic situations and possible interventions. Optional Parking Assistant also comes with additional reversing assistant function.

New BMW Drive Recorder (also part of the optional Parking Assistant Plus) records up to 40 seconds of video footage from points around the vehicle.

BMW 5 Series release date

The BMW 5 Series release date is currently TBC.