At the Guangzhou Motor Show, Chinese “fives” debuted for the local market. These four-doors differ from the “global” BMW 5-Series by exclusive equipment, a special body with an extended wheelbase and a reduced range of engines. Two versions have been revealed: the petrol 530Li and the electric i5 eDrive40 L; An optional M package is available for both, but rear-wheel drive only.
The BMW press service showed photographs of the Chinese “five” back in August, but the details have arrived only now. It turned out that the wheelbase was increased by 110 millimeters (to 3105 mm), and the overall length increased by 115 millimeters (to 5175 mm). The easiest way to identify a Chinese sedan is by its modified Hofmeister curve and the illuminated number five on the C-pillar.
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Autohome.com.cn
The BMW 5-Series from the Middle Kingdom will have an original climate control unit on the second row and a 31.3-inch diagonal cinema screen. Such options are not available for “global” sedans. However, in terms of units, the Chinese “five” are simpler: so far, the 530Li version (2.0 petrol, 258 horsepower, 400 Nm) with an 8-speed automatic and the i5 eDrive40 L electric car (340 horsepower, 430 Nm) have been confirmed. Both are rear-wheel drive, although both mechanical and electric all-wheel drive options may be available in the future.
Autohome.com.cn
Autohome.com.cn
The current BMW 5-Series Long (G38) will be discontinued at the end of November, and production of the new extended “fives” for China is planned to begin in January 2024. Chinese prices will be announced then. The expansion of the range is quite predictable: an initial petrol version of the 525Li and a long-wheelbase rechargeable hybrid may be added.
Prices for the outgoing generation BMW 5-Series L start at 436,500 yuan (equivalent to 60 thousand dollars), although taking into account discounts, such a “five” can be bought for 300 thousand yuan (42 thousand dollars). Over the two years from 2020 to 2022, more than half a million extended BMW “fives” found buyers.
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