Updated 2020 BMW 5 Series set for October arrival

The facelifted BMW 5 Series revealed today will arrive in Australia later this year carrying a raft of upgrades.

Building on the previous model’s commendable dynamics and performance, the updated 5 Series receives enhanced powertrains and new integrated technology elements including the BMW Operating System 7.0 and a high definition 12.3-inch centre control display.

Exterior Design

Subtle but effective design changes bring the new 5 Series more in line with the rest of the BMW family.

The BMW kidney grille adds extra width and height, drops down further into the front bumper and is framed by a single-piece, octagonal surround. The slimmer contouring of the headlights brings a modern twist to the focused look familiar from BMW’s past and present.

The new full-LED headlights feature two L-shaped daytime driving light, while BMW’s Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam with matrix technology and the High-beam Assistant enhance night driving capability. 

BMW Laserlight is also available for the 5 Series to provide an even more powerful level of illumination of the road ahead.  

In both headlight variants, the outer daytime driving lights also perform the role of turn indicators.

At the rear, black edging and a new three-dimensional L-shaped graphic give the rear lights of the new 5 Series additional visual impact.

M Sport package 

The new BMW M Sport package brings a more muscular design to both the front and rear of the 5 Series thanks to new aerodynamic features.

New exterior colours and the BMW Individual Air Performance Wheels – which make their debut on the model – provide additional enhancements.

Interior Design

The now standard 12.3-inch control display, newly designed centre console controls and standard sports leather steering wheel with newly arranged multifunction buttons headline an interior brimming with detail refinements.

New additions to the options list include M Multifunctional seats derived from the BMW M5 Competition with a wide range of adjustments and two new interior trim strips.

Powertrain and Chassis 

Alongside the 390kW V8 under the bonnet of the range-topping BMW M550i xDrive sedan, the new BMW 5 Series comes with a choice of two other petrol engines, one diesel engine and one plug-in hybrid generating between 135kW and 215kW.

The 530e plug-in hybrid model now includes the new XtraBoost function as standard equipment. The feature delivers an extra dose of power under vigorous acceleration with the joint output of the two power sources increased by 30kW up to a maximum of 215kW for up to 10 seconds.

All engines link up with an eight-speed transmission as standard, while BMW xDrive all-wheel drive is offered on the M550i xDrive and M550i xDrive Pure.

M Sport Suspension, Adaptive M Suspension and Adaptive M Suspension Professional including active roll stabilisation are all available.

The latest version of the optional Integral Active Steering can come to the driver’s aid when manoeuvring by turning the rear wheels as required even at speeds under 3km/h.

Red brake calipers are now available as an alternative to the blue units as a visual differentiator for the M Sport brakes.

Digital Services

BMW Live Cockpit Professional brings the new BMW Operating System 7.0 to the updated 5 Series, together with a host of additional digital services.

In addition to calculating routes and arrival times, the new cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps also allows drivers enter any word when selecting a destination.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with extended functionality is also now available in the new BMW 5 Series as a standard feature.

The smartphone integration function is now compatible with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Remote Software Upgrade enables improved vehicle functions and additional digital services to be imported over the air.

Local Arrival

The new BMW 5 Series will arrive in Australia this October with pricing and specification details to be announced in the lead up to launch. 

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