Top 5 Highlights: 2021 BMW 5 Series

BMW is all set to launch the new 5 Series facelift in India on June 24, 2021 and the updated luxury sedan is coming to India about a year after its global debut. The current-generation BMW 5 Series was launched in India in 2017 and is getting a mid-life and now gets an update, four years later. Talking about the update, in terms of styling, the changes are enough to be called a facelift and all the cosmetic updates subtly build on the sporty appeal of the sedan.

Design

The BMW 5 Series facelift looks sportier.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series has gradually evolved over generations, carrying the family looks quite handsomely. This time around, it has borrowed some styling element from its younger sibling- the new-gen 3 Series and that's good news because you don't get to see any oversized element that looks deliberate. So the kidney grille fit in naturally and looks sharper, longer and wider now without looking vaguely enormous and gets a single-piece chrome surround. It's flanked by new headlights that have seen the biggest change with a reworked cluster, new adaptive LED or laser technology, and sharper L-shaped LED daytime running lights (DRLs) making it look aggressive. The L-shaped 3D signature inlay also extends to the rear for the LED taillights, while the bumpers have been revised for a more aggressive look with larger air curtains, especially on the M Sport version. The new BMW 5 Series M Sport edition also rides on new 20-inch alloy wheels and gets red calipers, while the standard variants get 18-inchers.

Cabin

The 5 Series facelift gets a new 12.3-inch digital instrument console and an optional touchscreen display. The unit gets the new iDrive 7 infotainment system

The changed remain subtle on the inside as well. There are new additions though including the infotainment system - iDrive 7. The instrument console gets a new 12.3-inch display, while an equally large touchscreen unit has been placed in the centre console as an optional feature. BMW also says that the new user interface has a faster response time than the older version. The controls on the centre console are now finished in high-gloss black and the seats are draped in new Sensatec (leatherette) upholstery with perforation.

Infotainment

The standard model comes with a 10.25-inch unit that offers all the details including BMW navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, revised user interface, and new graphics.

Features

Other standard features on the new 5 Series facelift include a 12.3-inch digital instrument console, ambient lighting, 360-degree camera, 4-zone climate control, electrically adjustable rear seats and BMW Laser Light on the 'M Sport' variants, among others.

Engines

The L-shaped 3D inlays in the LED taillights add a nice and sporty touch to the 5 Series facelift's design

While design changes are minimal, the engine line-up sees more substantial changes comparatively. The facelifted model continues to draw power from the same engines, but all powertrain options now come with 48V mild-hybrid technology that offers better efficiency and more responsive power delivery. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol is available in two states of tune - 183 bhp and 290 Nm of peak torque, and 248 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque. The 3.0-litre, in-line six-cylinder turbo petrol motor develops 328 and 450 Nm. In global markets, there's also the M550i xDrive variant that uses a 4.4-litre V8 with 523 bhp and 750 Nm but we don't have any word on that as of now. The diesel range includes the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 188 bhp and 400 Nm, while the bigger 3.0-litre six-cylinder oil burner makes 281 bhp and 650 Nm of peak torque. The same six-pot motor is also tuned to produce 335 bhp and 700 Nm of peak torque. All engines are mated to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.