The arrival of a brand new 5 Collection is at all times an enormous deal. Extra so within the case of the eighth-gen mannequin that involves India in long-wheelbase avatar.
What you see right here is the all-new eighth-gen BMW 5 Collection. The model for India marks a break from custom as a result of it’s not as a lot concerning the particular person sat up entrance as it’s concerning the one sat on the again. And that’s as a result of, for the primary time ever, we get the 5 Collection in long-wheelbase format. Previously a China-only mannequin, the 5 Collection LWB makes its right-hand-drive debut in India. The purpose is to beat the Mercedes-Benz E-Class at its personal recreation.
BMW 5 Collection LWB dimensions
So, how lengthy is that wheelbase? 3105mm. For reference, that’s 130mm longer than the last-gen 5 Collection’ wheelbase, 110mm longer than the usual wheelbase model that we get in India in all-electric i5 type, and 35mm longer than that of the 6 Collection GT that this automotive can even exchange.
Bigger in each which manner, the newest 5 is extra limo than sport sedan.
What your pleasant BMW gross sales rep will undoubtedly draw your consideration to is the truth that the three,105mm determine makes the 5’s wheelbase longest within the phase. Crucially, it isn’t solely longer than the outgoing Mercedes E-Class LWB but in addition the all-new E-Class LWB that may come to India within the subsequent few months. And it’s not the wheelbase alone. The brand new 5 LWB can be the longest, widest and tallest sedan within the phase.
BMW 5 Collection LWB design and styling
The LWB will catch your consideration for its measurement, sure, however to my eyes not less than, it’s simply not as engaging because the older 5 Collection have been. The athletic look that has been core to the 5 is lacking, and as an alternative you get a limo-like stance. Not serving to listed here are the wheels that look unusually small amidst the huge physique. They’re 18 inchers, thoughts you, wrapped in comparatively slim 225 part however chunky 55 side ratio tyres. You can even go for 19-inch M Alloy wheels in 245/55 rubber and so they single handedly uplift the look.
Tail-lights don’t shout BMW and general rear styling is non descript.
Up entrance, there’s a hyperlink to the E60 gen or eagle-eyed 5 Collection within the upswept headlamps, and although the grille is massive, it really works. M Sport trim is commonplace, and will get a sporty entrance bumper with numerous cuts and creases.
Flash worth comes courtesy the Titanium Bronze components provided with this Glowing Copper Gray Metallic and the Carbon Black paint shade. Extra typical brushed aluminium is the look of alternative on the opposite Carbon Black possibility, in addition to the Mineral white and Phytonic blue paint shades. Oh, and naturally, the grille glows at evening!
On the sides, you’ll be aware creases low down on the doorways and a really delicate interpretation of the standard Hofmeister kink on the again. Possibly that’s why the designers felt it essential to have 5 badging on the C-pillars, too.
Hofmeister kink on the again is refined; 5 badging on the C-pillar is the figuring out element.
There’s a fastback-like stream of the roof in direction of the excessive deck boot. The huge swept tail-lamps don’t shout BMW, and to be sincere, the tail’s styling is non descript. Styling components on the bumper do assist to some extent however the slim tyres are the spoiler. The wheels and tyres make it appear to be an entry trim, which isn’t what you need after paying upwards of Rs 70 lakh.
BMW 5 Collection LWB rear seat area and luxury
Entry to the rear part of the cabin is by way of the massive rear doorways, and as soon as inside, you’ll be amazed by the area on provide. It’s manner roomier than the last-gen 5 Collection and the gap to the entrance seats means you possibly can actually stretch out and sit right here.
The rear seat is a spotlight in its personal proper. It’s very well padded, beneficiant in measurement and provides nice again, shoulder and thigh assist. The 31-degree backrest angle can be good and relaxed, however you do not get the choice to regulate the recline angle. That is one thing you’d miss, significantly with the information that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the older BMW 6 Collection GT have that possibility.
Rear seat area and luxury are glorious. Backrest cannot be reclined.
In truth, while you begin evaluating the options that you just get within the E-Class and the 6 GT, you’ll discover the 5 Collection LWB a bit missing. Sunshades for the rear home windows and windscreen are surprising omissions, you possibly can’t regulate the entrance passenger seat from the again, and there’s no rear seat leisure bundle both. BMW will promote you removable sunshades and there’s an equipment bundle to connect your iPad to the entrance headrests. However these are issues that ought to have been commonplace.
The 5 Collection does pack in neck pillows, 4-zone local weather management and a panoramic glass roof (it doesn’t open) that improve the expertise on the rear. There’s a wi-fi charging pad and cupholders within the sizeable centre armrest. The armrest will be tucked again to accommodate a 3rd passenger, however as is true of all chauffeur-driven-oriented sedans, the center occupant will get a uncooked deal due to a agency seat and a excessive centre tunnel.
4-zone local weather management helps regulate particular person passenger consolation.
All stated, whereas the 5 Collection LWB provides an incredible rear-seat expertise, a Mercedes E-Class feels higher nonetheless with a higher sense of event. The BMW’s rising window line and huge entrance seats that restrict frontal visibility from the again additionally rob the inside of some airiness.
BMW 5 Collection LWB: Inside and high quality
Up entrance, the cabin is unmistakably new-age BMW with the dashboard headlined by a curved show that’s one half 14.9-inch touchscreen and one half 12.3-inch digital dials. However should you truly look and evaluate, the brand new 5 has way more in frequent with the 7 Collection than it has with lesser BMWs, and that is an excellent factor.
14.9-inch touchscreen’s inteface is easy, however there are too many menus and icons.
There’s a crystal impact for the iDrive controller and mode selector on the centre console, and the bejeweled look extends to the dashboard with what BMW calls the ‘Interplay Bar’. This crystal-look backlit bar lights up with the ambient lighting and lends the cabin correct wow issue. Air-con vents hidden from view (they’re tucked behind the Interplay Bar) are one other hyperlink to the 7. There’s Titanium Bronze detailing inside as nicely, together with lightning-like streaks on the wooden. When it comes to high quality, it is a correctly high-end inside. All the things appears and feels costly and a cool truth is that it is a 100% vegan inside. The artifical perforated upholstery appears actually premium and people sat up entrance shall be nicely catered to on their massive seats. Bigger-framed people may discover facet bolstering a contact obtrusive, although. Additionally, want the steering rim wasn’t so thick. It’s a criticism we’ve had with different M Sport trim BMWs too.
BMW 5 Collection LWB: Options and security
BMW hasn’t stinted in options of curiosity to entrance seat passengers. The steering will get powered regulate, the entrance seats are powered and get reminiscence settings, and there’s even entrance seat air flow for the primary time. A wi-fi cellphone charger, head-up show, digital dials with crisp graphics and 655W Bowers & Wilkins sound system are different options of be aware.
The 14.9-inch touchscreen is a slick affair and provides useful tabs on the facet that function shortcuts for generally used features. It is when you have to go deeper into the menus that you just’ll get overwhelmed by the sheer variety of choices and icons. Among the many stated icons is one for ‘Inside Digital camera’. A digital camera on the roof can shoot stills or video to, as BMW places it ‘document your particular moments’. It’s an uncommon function however I suppose it’s in line with our social media obsessed instances. You would additionally use it to remotely monitor your automotive by way of cell app, possibly to test should you’ve left one thing behind. The crisp 360° show cameras are those that we made extra use of.
Of the opposite issues, there’s a powered boot opening and shutting perform. Baggage capability (listed at 500 litres) is first rate however you will need to plan the way you place your suitcases as the ground is kind of excessive. Residing underneath the boot flooring is an area saver spare tyre.
When it comes to security equipment, the 5 Collection packs in loads. There’s 7 airbags together with one between the motive force and passenger and all manners of digital security aids. There’s degree 1 ADAS as nicely with auto emergency braking and lane hold help. There’s no adaptive cruise management however it is a function that would come later.
BMW 5 Collection LWB efficiency
On to the enterprise finish of the brand new 5 Collection. The 520d diesel goes on sale shortly and the controversial new M5 can even come to India over the subsequent 12 months. Featured right here is the 530 Li, which comes powered by BMW’s acquainted 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that makes 258hp and 400Nm. There’s additionally a serving to hand within the type of a 48V mild-hybrid system that chips in with as much as 11hp and 25Nm underneath onerous acceleration, and helps recuperate vitality that may in any other case have been misplaced while you’re slowing down. Make no mistake, although. It is a mild-hybrid system solely and there isn’t any EV-only mode.
2.0-litre mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine feels alert and responsive.
Not that you’re going to actually crave the peace of an electrical motor as a result of the 530Li’s engine runs good and quiet while you’re ambling round city or on a delicate cruise. If you need extra from the engine, it does really feel alert and responsive, and works very well with that 8-speed torque converter automated gearbox to provide you that hurried expertise. BMW claims a 0-100kph time of 6.5 seconds, which is de facto brisk for a automotive so massive. Launch management is included and Sport mode additionally offers you direct entry to one of the best the powertrain has to supply.
BMW 5 Collection LWB experience and dealing with
Sedans with lengthy wheelbases do not get alongside nicely with speedbreakers, however to the 5 LWB’s credit score, it scored surprisingly nicely on this entrance. We did need to train warning over the biggest of the bumps, however the 5 cleared common humps with out scraping its stomach, even with 4 occupants onboard. Value noting is that the 5 rides on metal springs and doesn’t get the choice to regulate experience top like air-sprung variations of the E-Class and 6 GT.
Trip consolation is exceptional. The 5 Collection soaks up the worst of our roads with ease and what’s to credit score right here, proper? What these 225/55 R18 tyres relinquish in look, they make up within the experience consolation they permit. These thick sidewalls can take some beating. At larger speeds, the 5 Collection feels softer than 5’s of previous, but it surely nonetheless feels nicely tied down.
5 LWB is snug however would not really feel sporty like older 5s.
Factor is, whereas the 5 Collection LWB is nice as a luxurious automotive, a few of that BMW-ness has been misplaced in translation. And this sense is most pronounced over the curves. Rear-wheel drive and a super 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution are substances of curiosity, however there’s no getting round the truth that the 5 LWB is an enormous and heavy automotive. It’s easy on the steering and modifications course properly sufficient, however simply would not really feel athletic as older 5 Collection’ did. And that is one thing which may not do it for conventional BMW followers. Notably, there isn’t any adaptive damping this time round, which was a function that helped make the previous 5 really feel multifaceted. The most recent 5 feels tender and it is clear that BMW’s focus was to make the comfiest sedan not the sportiest one.
BMW 5 Collection LWB worth and verdict
The BMW 5 Collection LWB has been launched at Rs 72.90 lakh (ex-showroom, India), which is a considerable Rs 7 lakh greater than the last-gen 5 Collection. Then once more, the newest 5 can be much more automotive.
Large on area and correctly plush, the 5 Collection LWB is bound to resonate with luxurious sedan consumers to whom consolation is the supreme requirement. Nevertheless, some options are missed, and general, the again seat expertise is down on the Mercedes E-Class.
Additionally, as talked about, the concentrate on consolation has made the 5 an incredible luxurious automotive at the price of it being an incredible driver’s automotive, which can pinch hardcore BMW followers. Whether or not the newest 5 has taken a step in the precise course or not, will depend on which seat you occupy – the boss seat or the motive force’s one.
Additionally see:
New BMW 5 Collection LWB: Your questions answered
BMW 5 Collection vs Mercedes E-Class: LWB dimensions comparability
