The 5 arrives! 2024 BMW 5 Series confirmed for Australian launch this year with electric car versions set to take on Mercedes-Benz EQE and Porsche Taycan

BMW has revealed the design and specifications of the eighth-generation 5 Series, with the Bavarian brand’s local arm confirming its arrival later this year.

The 2024 BMW 5 Series model range for Australia has also been locked in, with three variants of the executive large sedan set to be available - two of which will be i5 electric cars. Pricing for the three variants will be confirmed closer to the 5 Series’ Australian launch.

When the 5 arrives in quarter four this year, its entry-level model, the sole petrol offering 520i, will be ‘highly specified’ as put by BMW Australia, with standard features such as heated sports seats, M Sport additions like sports suspension and 19-inch M-styled alloy wheels, as well as BMW’s Driving Assistant.

The 520i is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 153kW and 330Nm with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance. That power and torque is directed to the rear wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Adding features like a 17-speaker Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system, Merino leather upholstery, and metallic paint is the BMW i5 eDrive40, the entry-level electric car for the 5 Series line-up with a 250kW/430Nm output powering the rear wheels.

Its claimed range of 582km comes thanks to an 84kWh battery, though BMW is yet to confirm an exact figure for its power consumption.

In terms of acceleration, the iDrive40 can hit 100km/h in 6.0 seconds, BMW claims.

Topping the range is the i5 M60 xDrive, a 442kW/820Nm performance variant of the electric 5 Series with a claimed 3.8-second sprint to 100km/h.

Its power and all-wheel-drive traction is balanced by the lower range it claims, 516km thanks to the extra power required for a front-axle motor.

The i5 will be available in two variants: eDrive40 and M60 xDrive.

The M60 adds 21-inch wheels, adaptive M Suspension, and vented seats, as well as a rear spoiler.

On the outside, the 5 Series comes with a glowing kidney grille as first seen on the new 7 Series, though illumination of this during driving in Australia is yet to be cleared under Australian Design Rules (ADR).

Inside, a BMW ‘Interaction bar’ is standard, borrowed from the 7 Series and used to operate functions like climate controls or even accessing the glovebox.

Also available across the range, but standard for the M60, is a crystal centre console treatment featuring Swarovski crystals for the iDrive controls, start-stop button, and gear shift.