BMW fans will be turning to the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan next month for the world premiere of the seventh-generation 5 Series Sedan, including two completely new 5 Series models: the BMW 530e iPerformance and the M550i xDrive. Along with the new 5 Series, BMW will reveal the next development stage of BMW Connected.
But wait, there's more. The BMW Concept X2 will make it's North American debut and BMW will also present new optional equipment for the 2018 6 Series and 6 Series Gran Coupe.
The new G30 BMW 5 Series Sedan is the car that many BMW enthusiasts—and BMW dealers—have been waiting for. Normally one of BMW's best sellers, the 5 Series can be the perfect car for a family or a business or anyone for whom the 3 Series is too small and the 7 Series is too big. The 5 Series, although pricey as are most BMWs, provides much of the comfort and technology found in BMW's luxury flagship, the 7 Series, but at a lower price point.
In addition to the normal 5 Series—if you could call any BMW normal—BMW will be presenting for the first time anywhere the BMW 530e iPerformance—the first 5 Series plug-in hybrid. The 530e iPerformance will have all of the driver assistance and connectivity technology found in other 5 Series models, but will rely on a two-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine coupled with an electric motor to send a total power output of 248 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed Steptronic transmission to either the rear wheels in the sDrive models or to all four wheels in the xDrive version. Zero to 60 miles per hour happens in just 6.1 seconds.
For 5 Series fans looking for more performance but not willing to wait for the eventual M5, BMW will debut the M550i xDrive, the latest addition to the M Performance family that currently includes the M240i, M760i, and X4 M40i. An M Performance TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine mated to a specially tuned Steptronic Sport eight-speed transmission will send 456 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque to a rear-biased xDrive all-wheel drive system. BMW says that zero to 60 mph times in the M550i xDrive will be under 4 seconds, which is impressive for a car this size.
The BMW stand at the NAIAS will include the new 2018 BMW 6 Series that is scheduled to be in dealer showrooms this spring. At Detroit, BMW will show off new equipment and options for the 6 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe.
Making its first appearance in the New World will be the BMW Concept X2 that we first saw at the Paris Motor Show in November. We expect the concept version of what will be the Sports Activity Coupe stable mate to BMW's very successful X1 Sports Activity Vehicle to look a lot like the eventual production model.
Along with the new 5 Series Sedans, BMW will present at the NAIAS technology that will arrive in the 5 Series. The next development stage of BMW Connected will have more digital services, including BMW Connected Onboard, which BMW describes as a personalized start screen on the car’s display. Remote 3D View will let drivers monitor the area around their car at all times using their smartphone. Something that sounds like it could be really useful is a new BMW ConnectedDrive hazard preview for Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI).
The North American International Auto Show runs from January 8 to 22 in Detroit's Cobo Hall with the 9th and 10th reserved for the press. The public portion of the show starts January 14. Tickets for the public show run $13 with kids and seniors getting in for $7.
The G30 BMW 5 Series Sedan is probably the most anticipated new car release since the M2 earlier this year. It always was the company's most versatile series and with the introduction of the 530e iPerformance and the M550i xDrive will be even more so. 2017 will be a great year for 5 Series fans, and it all starts next month in Detroit.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
