2024 BMW 5 Series taking shape

The next BMW 5 Series sedan has been snapped wearing its production lights for the first time.

The new large luxury sedan is expected to launch late in 2023, at which point it will take on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6.

Up front, the lights appear to have a similar shape to those of the 2 Series coupe, while the tail lights look to borrow from the 7 Series and 3 Series. It’s worth bearing in mind everything is still camouflaged, so it’s tough to make out the finer details.

The new 5 Series appears to have a more coupe-like, fastback design than the current car. That’s likely due to the fact it’ll also form the base for the i5 EV, as well as the market’s move away from sedans as practical family cars in favour of SUVs like the X5.

Our previous spy photos have revealed the cabin of the next 5er will feature a dual-screen setup behind the wheel, like the i4 and iX.

Both cars use a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display situated in a wraparound housing.

The next BMW 5 Series will share its platform and basic design with the i5 electric car. The latter will compete against the Tesla Model S and upcoming Audi A6 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQE sedans.

On the petrol side of things, the M5 is expected to move to a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Power is expected to come from a version of the plug-in hybrid setup that will debut in the XM SUV.

It combines a new V8 engine with an electric motor to punch out a combined 480kW of power and 800Nm of torque. Claimed electric-only range on the WLTP test cycle is 80km.

The XM has a hybrid-specific M xDrive all-wheel drive system which includes an electronic rear differential lock in the rear axle transmission.

The current-generation BMW 5 Series has been on sale since 2016 and was facelifted in 2020.

MORE: Everything BMW 5 Series