Long wheelbase BMW 5 Series Li to debut at Shanghai Motor Show

The long-wheelbase BMW 5 Series Li will be revealed at the Shanghai motor show, although leaked images of the car give an early look at its styling.

The wheelbase of the new 5 Series is stretched by 133mm for the China-only model, taking the overall length to 5069mm, which is just 29mm shy of the length of the standard-wheelbase BMW 7 Series.

Built in collaboration with BMW’s Chinese partner car maker, Brilliance, BMW claims that the new model is 130kg lighter than its predecessor. The 5 Series Li is expected to weigh in at around 1610kg, while the standard 5 Series ranges from 1540kg to 1660kg, depending on the specification. The extended-wheelbase 7 Series adds 40kg onto the standard car’s kerbweight.

The 5 Series Li also gets improved soundproofing, electrically adjustable seats and a panoramic glass roof, along with the extra knee room. A touchscreen mounted into the central armrest is the most notable feature in the rear, along with a storage box.

The 5 Series Li's is expected to comprise two 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engines and one 3.0-litre six-cylinder; the same line-up as its predecessor, whose engines ranged from 204-306bhp. It’ll be built, like the previous model, at BMW’s plant in Shenyang, China. BMW also offers a stretched X1 small SUV, the X1 Li, for the Chinese market.