BMW 5 Series LWB priced at Rs 72.90 lakh

BMW has launched the all-new 5 Series in India at Rs 72.90 lakh a couple of months after its electric sibling, the i5. While the 5 Series is being offered in LWB form – for the first time – the i5 is still based on the shorter wheelbase platform. Codenamed G68, the eighth-gen 5 Series LWB is aimed at the chauffeur-driven luxury sedan buyer, and will take on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which has been on sale in LWB form for a while.

BMW India is offering the new 5 Series in a sole 530Li variant. Considering its Rs 72.90 lakh starting price, the 5 Series costs about Rs 3 lakh less than its primary competitor, the Rs 76.05 lakh Mercedes E200. In fact, the 5 Series' price will overlap with the 6 Series GT, which is currently priced between Rs 73.50 lakh-78.90 lakh.

At the moment, the Lexus ES is the most affordable sedan in the segment, with a Rs 63.10 lakh starting price. It is followed by the Audi A6 that's priced from Rs 64.41 lakh and then the Volvo S90 that's priced at Rs 68.25 lakh. 

The sole 530Li variant is available with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It gets a 48V mild-hybrid assist and comes mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to just the rear wheels. BMW claims a 0-100kph time of 6.5 seconds for the 530Li. 

Other than the extended wheelbase (measuring 3,105mm) and a slightly different rear door, the LWB and the standard 5 Series look identical. The India-spec model gets sleek headlights and tail-lights, a normal-sized BMW ‘kidney’ grille that's illuminated, and long flowing lines. It gets 18-inch wheels as standard, but 19-inchers are optional. The M Sport body kit is standard on the India-spec 530Li which brings sportier front and rear bumpers.

The new 5 Series’ dual-tone interior is nearly identical to the i5’s and will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in newer BMWs. The driver gets a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster and a driver-oriented 14.9-inch central touchscreen infotainment. Features such as four-zone climate control, leather upholstery with diamond-pattern quilting, front-seat ventilation, matrix LED headlamps, an 18-speaker, 655W Bowers & Wilkins sound system and 6 USB-C ports come as standard. BMW India is even offering a fully vegan interior option. 

Of course, the rear seat of the 5 Series LWB has been given special attention. Besides the extra legroom liberated by the longer wheelbase, you get a touchscreen on the fold-down armrest for the climate controls, a rear wireless phone charger, a large moonroof with a fixed glass allowing a lot of light inside the cabin and a pair of optional rear entertainment screens. However, the rear seats miss out on a recline function, and there are no sunshades for the windows and the rear windscreen.