New 2017 BMW 5 Series Sneak Preview – Video

 

Size-wise, the new 5 pretty much stays the course. Its dimensions are all within an inch of the previous car’s, except for overall length, which grows by 1.2 inches. Unlike the current 7-series, the 5-series does not use carbon-fiber reinforcements in its structure, but BMW says weight-saving measures such as an aluminum trunklid, roof, and doors pared up to 137 pounds.

 

 

At launch, there will be just two models, the 530i and 540i, either of which can be had with rear- or all-wheel drive (which BMW calls xDrive). The former diesel, hybrid, and V-8 variants are all absent from our market—at least for now. The 530i replaces the 528i, and, following the pattern established by the 3-series and the 4-series, it denotes the arrival of BMW’s latest turbocharged four-cylinder. The 2.0-liter B46 engine here makes the same 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque as it does in the 330i (versus 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft for the previous turbo four). An eight-speed automatic with standard shift paddles is the sole transmission choice. BMW posits that the 530i will scoot to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, or 5.8 seconds with xDrive.

The 540i—a badge that once signaled the presence of a 4.0-liter V-8—is now home to BMW’s classic inline-six powerplant, bolstered by a turbocharger. The B58 six here makes 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft, just nosing ahead of the 340i’s 320 horses and 330 lb-ft and representing a notable bump of 35 horsepower and 32 lb-ft over the 535i’s turbo six. The factory-estimated zero-to-60-mph time for the new 540i is 4.9 seconds, with all-wheel drive here knocking 0.2 second off that figure.