2024 BMW 5 Series detailed for Australia, ICE range slashed

The latest generation of BMW 5 Series will get electric powertrains for the first time, but its combustion-powered line-up is shrinking to a single variant in Australia.

The new 5 Series and electric i5, detailed here, are due in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2023. They will continue to be sourced from Germany.

BMW has yet to detail pricing for the 5 Series and i5, but it has provided a breakdown of the local line-up.

Excluding the M5 – a new generation of which has yet to be revealed – the outgoing 5 Series range consisted of four combustion powertrains and a plug-in hybrid in Australia.

With the new model, buyers not willing to go for one of the two electric i5 models will have only one choice: the rear-wheel drive 520i.

It features a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 48V mild-hybrid system.

The 520i produces 153kW of power and 330Nm of torque, good for a 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds.

BMW Australia has made no mention of the more powerful turbo four-cylinder 530i and turbo six-cylinder 540i xDrive set to be offered in the US, nor the two plug-in hybrid variants that will be offered in Europe.

Instead, those seeking more power will be forced to step up to the electric i5 models.

The i5 eDrive40 features a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 250kW of power and up to 430Nm of torque with the Sport Boost or Launch Control function. It has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.0 seconds.

The i5 M60 xDrive has a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain producing 442kW of power and up to 820Nm of torque. It has a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds.

Both i5 models use an 84kWh battery. WLTP range is 582km with the eDrive40 and 516km in the M60 xDrive.

They use a 400V electrical system and support three-phase AC charging up 22kW and DC fast charging up to 205kW.

The 520i comes standard with the following equipment:

• 19-inch M alloy wheels
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Remote start
• Panoramic glass roof
• Power boot-lid
• BMW Iconic Glow illuminated grille
• M Sport package
• Comfort Access (keyless entry and start)
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with BMW Operating System 8.5
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Head-up display
• Gesture control
• Alcantara and Veganza leatherette upholstery
• Interior camera
• Ambient lighting
• Carbon-fibre interior trim
• Dual-zone climate control
• Heated front sports seats
• Wireless phone charger
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
• Driving Assistant Professional
• Parking Assistant Professional
  • Semi-autonomous parking assist
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Surround-view camera
• Travel & Comfort System
• ConnectedDrive

The i5 eDrive40 adds:

• 20-inch M alloy wheels
• Adaptive Suspension Professional
  • Integral Active Steering
  • Adaptive suspension
• 22kW onboard AC charger
• Mode 2 and Mode 3 charge cables
• BMW IconicSounds Electric
• 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system
• BMW Individual Merino leather upholstery
• Five-year Chargefox subscription
• Metallic paint

The i5 M60 xDrive adds:

• 21-inch M alloy wheels
• M rear spoiler
• Four-zone climate control
• Ventilated front seats
• BMW CraftedClarity glass trim for shifter, rocker switches, iDrive controller and start/stop button
• Adaptive M Suspension Professional
  • Integral Active Steering
  • Adaptive suspension
  • Anti-roll

You can view our full overview of the new 5 Series and i5 here.

MORE: Everything BMW 5 Series