BMW has finally lifted the veil on their much-anticipated 2017 5-Series sedan. The result is a very handsome, very evolutionary design that's consistent with the current 7-Series. Nothing about the interior or exterior is really radical (unlike when Chris Bangle's 7-Series bowed in 2002). What the new sedan does boast are new engines, significant weight reduction, more robust technology, and improved mileage. What BMW customers get is pretty much more of everything, and that's a good thing.

5-series front

5-series rear 34

Here are the important details on the new 5-Series:

  • The plainness of the old car is gone, but the changes aren't crazy. The headlights and twin kidney grilles are larger and now connect for a wider appearance. It also borrows the 7-Series "hockey-stick" front fender vent that gives the car a better profile.
  • The 5-Series now has standard LED adaptive headlights for improved visibility. 
  • The new grille also now has active shutters for improved aero and fuel efficiency. The new 5-Series also benefits from Air Curtains and Air Breathers to improve the movement of air, increase efficiency and increase downforce at higher speeds to keep the car more planted.
  • Weight is down by nearly 137 pounds thanks to aluminum, magnesium, and high-strength steel. The car also happens to be wider, longer and taller than the last car.
  • Brand new engines show up, known as BMW TwinPower Turbo. They consist of modular inline four- and six-cylinder mills. The 530i gets a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder; the 540i houses a 3.0-liter, turbocharged six-cylinder engine.
  • Both get rear-wheel drive with the option to select xDrive all-wheel drive. All engines are mated with an eight-speed automatic that features navigation-assisted shifting to maximize fuel efficiency. At launch, no manual transmission will be available.
  • All models get double wishbone front suspension with five-link independent rear suspension. xDrive optioned models can  now also be combined with BMW's four-wheel steering system, as found on the current 7-Series, which improves handling and response even more.
  • On the inside, the design is also evolutionary and very handsome, indeed. Tech is also upped with BMW's iDrive 6.0 infotainment system with gesture control, voice control, and head-up display. Sound-deadening has also been improved to reduce noise, and the 5-Series also gets new multi-contour massaging seats. And for you audiophiles, there's a new optional16-speaker, 600-watt Harmon Kardon sound system. 
  • The 5 Series will also get robust driver assistance and safety equipment, such as radar cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. It also gets semi-autonomous and steer around certain obstacles. 3D surround view and ParkNow services should also make parking and locating parking that much easier. 
  • A plug-in hybrid 530e will likely be released, as revealed by BMW's press imagery shown here. Also look for an M550 performance version and eventually, the wicked M5 super sedan. No word on output of any of these models.
  • The 530i and 540i will benefit from the availability of an M Sport package that includes a specific aero kit and exterior trim, lowered suspension and larger wheels and fatter tires, M Sport leather steering wheel, pedal covers, and some sportier trim bits.
  • The new car will go on sale in February 2017, but no pricing information has been revealed yet. 

5-series grille

5-series tail

5-series interior

bmw 530e front 34

5-series plug-in

Find Local Discounts on the BMW 5-Series