Running below and to the side of the display is an ‘Interaction Bar’ combining touch-sensitive controls and lights that can be animated to give messages, for example to indicate an incoming phone call or show when it’s safe to open the door.
BMW says it has reduced interior buttons on the car, while retaining those needed “for fast and intuitive operation” according to a statement.
Driving assistance tech
Advanced driving assistance available on the 5 Series and i5 includes what the company calls the Active Lane Change Assistant, which suggests overtaking opportunities during multi-lane highway driving that is confirmed by the driver looking at the exterior mirror. BMW said this feature was launching first in Germany, the US and Canada.
Other semi-autonomous features available include Parking Assistant Plus, which stores the steering movements when driven forwards which the car can then repeat in reverse for up to 50 meters.
Drivers can also control parking maneuvers outside of the vehicle using the My BMW app for iPhone.
The new BMW ID allows parking fees to be paid directly from the 5 Series and i5. The function can initially be used in Germany and Austria, with other European countries following during 2023.
New hybrid models
All the new 5 Series models will be electrified with the addition of 48-volt mild-hybrid technology on the 520i four-cylinder gasoline engine, the more powerful 530i with the same engine (not available in Europe) and the 520d four-cylinder diesel . A six-cylinder diesel will follow in 2024, BMW said.
All combustion engine models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Two plug-in hybrid models will also join the line-up in 2024 with an electric range of up to 100 km (62 miles), BMW said.