The flagship of a navy is generally the biggest, newest, most impressive one — and the one where the admiral commanding the fleet raises their flag. But it’s not the ship that does most of the work. The backbone of a fleet is usually midsize, hard-working ships that follow orders from the boss.
The 7 Series is the flagship of the BMW line, but the most important sedan the German automaker builds might be a step down. As the 7 Series is to the aircraft carrier, the 5 Series is to the destroyer. BMW builds a lot more 5 Series models. They may be more important to the brand.
There’s an all-new destro…backbone…OK, we’ve mixed up too many metaphors this morning. BMW will release an all-new 5 Series for the 2024 model year. Here it is. Under a sheet.
The German automaker might be hiding the details, but it has announced the basics. The next 5, BMW says, “boasts a fresh interpretation of its signature elegantly sporting design, not to mention BMW Operating System 8.5 with BMW Curved Display, innovative digital services and, for the first time, a purely electric drive system in the guise of the BMW i5.”
The electric drivetrain won’t be the only one on offer. BMW says a “flexible powertrain architecture” will mean all-electric, plug-in hybrid, and “highly efficient petrol and diesel engines with 48V mild hybrid technology” will all appear.
A wagon variant — BMW calls them touring models — is planned but may be a Europe-only model, likely similar to the above mentioned diesel powertrain.
The new sedan will launch in October. That’s all we know for now, though BMW also says it will be built “exclusively at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing” in Lower Bavaria. That means the i5 electric model would not qualify for federal EV tax credits, which apply only to cars built in North America.
