Ad
Ad
The new BMW 5 Series LWB (Long Wheel Base) has evolved and how! It’s bigger than before, looks way more handsome and is loaded to the gills with all the modern tech & features, while at the same time is supremely plush on the inside being aimed at chauffe
The car we’ll be briefly talking about today has a 50 years old history. What started its journey as the E12 in 1972, is one of the most plush and advanced executive class luxury sedans today – the 2024 BMW 5 Series. Well! It’s been quite an evolution for the new BMW 5 Series LWB (Long Wheelbase). Growing and bettering itself in every dimension, be it the way it looked, the comfort it provided, the tech it offered or the prowess it promised. But something remained pretty much unchanged in all the five-generations. It’s the feel it gave behind the wheel - engaging, agile and sporty.
I can tell you right in the beginning itself that the 2024 BMW 5 Series LWB is a big leap forward compared to the outgoing model in all respects, and LWB means more space on the inside. But does it still have that feel to make a driver’s heart sing? Let’s take it one-by-one.
It’s a huge step forward when it comes to the design of the new BMW 5 Series LWB. It looks every bit contemporary and some of the modern touches like the illuminated kidney grille fringe, “iconic glow” in BMW’s lingo, or the rose gold highlights on the grille outline & slats, wing mirrors, window line of rear bumper, do a good job at accentuating its aesthetic appeal. Still, the highlight has to be this new Bluestone Metallic paint shade with copper hue that really make it stand out, having a unique bling that changes with the sun going down.
The front-end design too is more sculpted featuring an angular bumper and the powerful scooped dome in the hood, while the profile has been more smoothened further complemented with flush fitting door handles, like we saw earlier on the BMW X1. The rear end too has been done in a similar tasteful manner. The roofline falls elegantly onto the boot, giving a coupe like impression while at the rear the new BMW 5 Series looks much wider in stance.
2024 BMW 5 SERIES LWB |
DIMENSIONS |
INCREASE |
LENGTH |
5175 mm |
+ 212 mm |
WIDTH |
1900 mm |
+ 32 mm |
HEIGHT |
1520 mm |
+ 41 mm |
WHEELBASE |
3105 mm |
+ 130 mm |
Over the design, where the new BMW 5 Series scores well again is in the dimension department. It has really grown bigger and it reflects in its appearance. As you can see above (refer table), the length of the new BMW 5 Series is 212 mm more than the outgoing model and 130 mm of that length has gone in the wheelbase alone. The height has increased by 41 mm while the width has gone up by 32 mm.
It’s the first time, BMW is launching the 5 Series in the long wheelbase avatar in the Indian market and the entire purpose to do that is to take on the segment leader strongly – the Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB. Mercedes has been selling the E-Class Long Wheelbase since the last 8 years in India and luxury car buyers have lapped it up, being their top-most preference in our market.
What also helps its case in India are the 18-inch wheels shod in generously thick profile Pirelli tyres for a sedan. It works wonders in bettering its ride quality and you don’t have to fear much of damaging the side walls on bad roads or when encountering sharp bumps. More on that later.
It’s not just the exterior which has been updated, but a significant effort has gone in upgrading the cabin as well, and it shows. The new BMW 5 Series LWB has one of the swankiest cabins in the segment. Modern, loaded with tech & features, and very luxurious. To begin with, interior design has been given a thorough attention. Be it the floating dashboard design featuring the single curved display and fused air-con vents, or the sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, or the slightly towering central console, everything feels ergonomically better.
The dual-tone grey & brown colour combination looks very appealing to the eye while the piano black and brushed chrome inserts along with crystal touch knobs have been integrated very neatly. The ambient lighting system too does a good job at jazzing up the cabin vibe and I love how seamlessly it’s executed on the doors, floor and specially on the thick pour wood slat that runs the width of the dash.
What deserves a special mention here is the all-new full-length glass roof the new BMW 5 Series LWB gets. I appreciate the fact that it’s a glass roof and not a sunroof since it meets the exact purpose of letting the light in when required and allowing a good gaze at the stars. BMW says that its 90 per cent bigger than the single-pane sunroof its predecessor had. I don't doubt that a bit. Honestly, not a big fan of sunroofs or glass roofs, but this one goes really well with the overall charm and has just the right kind of tint to block the harsh sunlight. Having said that, what’s missing here are sun shades for the rear windows or rear windscreen which in my opinion is a must-have in a luxury saloon.
Well! Comfort has been the salient point in the 2024 BMW 5 Series LWB and that’s for a reason. It took the Bavarian carmaker around 8 years to finally make peace with offering a comfort focused luxury-class executive sedan over something that feels sporty and agile. It’s the need of the hour and was of utmost prima to take on the market leader – the Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB.
Now I have to say that the effort really shows the moment you get in the car. Beginning with the seats, all four passengers will be in supreme comfort. The seats are well bolstered offering ample shoulder and lumbar support. The under-thigh support is near perfect and the cushioning is right on point, neither firm, nor overly soft. That also means spending long hours in the new 5 Series LWB shouldn’t be bothersome at all.
The extended wheelbase too reflects well on the sense of space. There is ample knee room at the rear to stretch, even while a 6 ft. tall passenger is sitting comfortably on the front seat. The glass house area is generous enough to not let people feel hemmed in on the inside, despite the dark colour treatment on the interior, and obviously the massive glass roof helps immensely. The rear seat has a reclining feature as well but the rear seat armrest feels a bit upright. Though, it gives you a dedicated wireless charger for your phone and popping-out cup holders. There are Type-C ports at the back of the front seats that can be used to install and plug-in entertainment screens for rear passengers, or just to charge your smartphone or gadgets.
So yes! You can sense the well-thought-out execution here and the new BMW 5 Series LWB comes pretty close to the new BMW 7 Series in appeal, save for that massive 31-inch entertainment screen, more space and seating luxury at the rear and some of those gimmicky features.
Ad
Ad
The new BMW 5 Series LWB is a modern-age luxury car so obviously you don’t expect any compromise in the tech & features department. I am happy to report that the new 5 Series won’t give you any chance to complain, especially how all the creature comforts have been integrated.
BMW’s prominent curved screen setup integrating the 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment and the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel looks and feels properly affluent. The graphics are sharp, texts & fonts are easy to read and the interface is engaging without being complex. A common complaint with this new screen has been the lack of once touch access for a few critical features, but BMW has managed to sort it out to an extent, if not completely. There is once touch quick access for navigation, media and telephony and of course you have wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto for the most seamless operation. The climate menu slug too is permanently live on the screen and comes with a one-touch pull-up functionality. It doesn’t solve the issue of “not taking your eyes off the road” completely, but still, you won’t need to do that for a longer duration.
The Level 2 ADAS feature is on offer as well and I like the way it behaves. First you will be strongly warned and alerted of the danger the car senses and panic braking happen only if you fail to respond completely. I quite like the lane change assist feature as it intervenes strongly only when it detects an approaching vehicle in the adjacent lane. If you’re trying to change the lane deliberately, it does allow you to do so without bothering much.
We already spoke about the vibrant ambient lighting, but what takes the whole experience up a notch is the 18-speaker, 655-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system. It’s one of the best in the business delivering a crisp and strong sound quality with a good mix of bass and mids. Moreover, the four-zone climate control through its fused vents doesn’t blast the air at you and still keeps the cabin cool and serene.
So the deal is that BMW is yet to share the engine specifications with us and that will be out on July 24, when the new BMW 5 Series LWB will be launched in India and prices will be announced. For now, we got to feel it but without knowing the numbers. That said, going by the progression in its acceleration and the 530i or 520d badges, I am safely expecting the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder twin-turbo petrol and diesel engines to be on offer coupled with the 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain and mated to the 8-Speed automatic transmission.
I along with a fellow auto journalist was driving the new BMW 5 Series 530i LWB and it was a prima facia where both of us individually got 3 rounds of a 1 Km stretch behind the wheel and at the rear seat. So just take this as my initial experience as a detailed drive review will follow once the BMW 5 Series LWB hits the road.
Well, power delivery and progression as it builds up the revv is not an issue by any stretch of the imagination. The pull is strong, the progression is linear right up to 6200 rpm and the mid-range has enough grunt. That means, the engine performs on demand and a quick overtake will come easy without giving the passenger an uncomfortable jolt while doing so. But the problem comes to surface, the moment you start changing directions.
BMW purists, who have also perceived Beemers as the “ultimate driving machine”, will not be very happy with this new BMW 5 Series LWB. The suspension is biased towards the softer side to enhance comfort and that takes a good toll on its body dynamics when you are changing lanes or cornering. The body rolls are inevitable and you’ll be compelled to have a lighter foot while steering.
Even the steering has lost the feel we typically relate to beemers with. It feels a bit too light for my liking even while pottering around. However, most drivers will like it since it doesn’t exercise your muscles at all when steering. But, the main concern is that it doesn’t weigh up accurately even while pushing harder and isn’t communicative enough. In a nutshell, this BMW is not as agile and that doesn’t go well with a Bavarian.
This department is sorted. It feels like you’re moving on a bean bag courtesy its softer suspension tuning, tall tyre profile and perfectly cushioned seats. So yes! BMW has achieved what it intended to. On the flip side, passengers do slide a bit when there is a sudden maneuver but it’s not unnerving. What I need to see still is that whether it will be able to contain vertical movements inside the cabin on a bad section of road, since I can sense the suspension has more than required vertical play, meaning it would tend to bounce on undulations and rough tarmac. That’s something to look out for in our detailed review.
Well! It’s too early to give a proper verdict since we have a very limited and short encounter with the new BMW 5 Series LWB. Based on this first impression, I can say that it can do a good job in drawing the attention of Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyers, who actually form the biggest pie in the luxury car market share. But that comes at the cost of upsetting BMW lovers. It can give the E-Class a tough fight, but doesn’t stand out for what a BMW used to.
Lexus LX500d 4x4 Review
There are only a few SUVs that can match the road presence of the new Lexus LX500d. Bold, tough, luxurious and unapologetically so. It’s essentially a Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 under the skin and is better attired, feeling more premium without compromisin
23-Jul-2024 12:01 PM
Read Full ArticleLexus LX500d 4x4 Review
There are only a few SUVs that can match the road presence of the new Lexus LX500d. Bold, tough, luxurious and unapologetically so. It’s essentially a Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 under the skin and is better attired, feeling more premium without compromisin
23-Jul-2024 12:01 PM
Read Full ArticleHyundai Creta N Line - A Real update or just a gimmick - Time to find out
Hyundai Creta N Line - Detailed Analysis | Design , Interiors, Drive & Mileage - Better than the regular Creta
26-Mar-2024 12:39 PM
Read Full ArticleHyundai Creta N Line - A Real update or just a gimmick - Time to find out
Hyundai Creta N Line - Detailed Analysis | Design , Interiors, Drive & Mileage - Better than the regular Creta
26-Mar-2024 12:39 PM
Read Full ArticleBYD Seal - First Impression | Luxury & Performance at Budget
BYD Seal First Look - Launched at 41 Lakhs, is it a good option under a budget of 55 Lakhs?
14-Mar-2024 07:41 PM
Read Full ArticleBYD Seal - First Impression | Luxury & Performance at Budget
BYD Seal First Look - Launched at 41 Lakhs, is it a good option under a budget of 55 Lakhs?
14-Mar-2024 07:41 PM
Read Full ArticleTata Punch.ev Detailed Review by Carbike360's Expert
Get ready to be impressed by the TATA Punch EV's performance and design. carbike360's in-depth review explores the electric ride's Sports mode, Acti.ev architecture, and more, ensuring a satisfying read for all car enthusiasts.
25-Jan-2024 01:57 PM
Read Full ArticleTata Punch.ev Detailed Review by Carbike360's Expert
Get ready to be impressed by the TATA Punch EV's performance and design. carbike360's in-depth review explores the electric ride's Sports mode, Acti.ev architecture, and more, ensuring a satisfying read for all car enthusiasts.
25-Jan-2024 01:57 PM
Read Full ArticleTata Punch vs Hyundai Exter: Battle of Compact SUVs
Compare Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter compact SUVs. Performance, features, pricing, and more. Make an informed choice for your next car.
17-Oct-2023 06:57 PM
Read Full ArticleTata Punch vs Hyundai Exter: Battle of Compact SUVs
Compare Tata Punch and Hyundai Exter compact SUVs. Performance, features, pricing, and more. Make an informed choice for your next car.
17-Oct-2023 06:57 PM
Read Full ArticleCitroen C3 Aircross vs Honda Elevate | Which one you should buy?
Compare the Citroen C3 Aircross and Honda Elevate to determine which one is the better choice for you.
20-Sep-2023 12:56 PM
Read Full ArticleCitroen C3 Aircross vs Honda Elevate | Which one you should buy?
Compare the Citroen C3 Aircross and Honda Elevate to determine which one is the better choice for you.
20-Sep-2023 12:56 PM
Read Full ArticleAd
Ad
Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV
₹ 2.25 Cr
Tata Curvv
₹ 9.99 - 19.00 Lakh
Maserati GranTurismo
₹ 2.72 - 2.90 Cr
Aston Martin Vantage
₹ 3.99 Cr
Audi Q8
₹ 1.17 Cr
Hyundai Alcazar facelift
₹ 17.00 - 22.00 Lakh
MG Windsor EV
₹ 25.00 - 30.00 Lakh
Mahindra XUV300 Electric
₹ 15.00 Lakh
Mercedes-Benz EQS 2024
₹ 2.00 Cr
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
₹ 45.95 Lakh
Ad
Ad
Ad