New G30 BMW 5 Series Facelift debuts, now with Android Auto, Malaysia launch in 2021?

BMW has just unveiled the new 2020 5 Series facelift, giving its executive sedan a refreshed exterior design as well as under-the-hood upgrades.

Exterior – Refreshed looks, no oversized front grille

As shown in previous leaked photos, the new 5 Series gains a restyled front-end that features slimmer LED headlights (BMW Laserlights are optional) and a redesigned front grille. The rear gets new LED tail lights with L-shape graphics, revised rear bumper, and trapezoid muffler finishing.

Complementing the revised exterior is the redesigned front and rear bumpers and new alloy wheel designs.

Powertrains – All variants to get 48V MHEV, but it is market-dependent

The biggest update to the new 5 Series is the inclusion of BMW’s 48V mild hybrid system on all four- and six-cylinder variants of the new 5 Series, which provides an additional 11 PS of electric boost.

Continuing on the powertrain front, more variants of the new 5 Series will be available as a plug-in hybrid. Previously, the 5 Series was only available as a single plug-in hybrid variant, but moving forwards, BMW will be expanding the plug-in hybrid range to 5 models, including the 530e Sedan, 530e xDrive Sedan, 530e Touring, 530e xDrive Touring, and 545e xDrive Sedan.

For the 530e range, power is derived from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that does 184 PS and 300 Nm, while the electric motor does 109 PS and 265 Nm. Combined system output is 292 PS and 420 Nm, thanks to BMW’s XtraBoost technology.

As for the 545e xDrive, this model features a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine that does 286 PS and 450 Nm, hooked up to an electric motor that does 109 PS and 265 Nm. Combined system output for the 545e xDrive is 394 PS and 600 Nm.

BMW has also discontinued the 6-speed manual transmission option on the new 5 Series – all variants feature an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Interior – Now with Android Auto and more ADAS features

Moving inside, the biggest highlight is the inclusion of BMW Operating System 7, which brings with it support for Android Auto (finally) and Apple CarPlay. A 10.25-inch touchscreen comes as standard, while the larger 12.3-inch touchscreen can be had as an option.

Similar to other models running on the OS7, the new 5 Series also benefits from Remote Software Upgrade, which allows for new system software and additional driver assistance features to be integrated into the car over the air.

Apart from the inclusion of the new infotainment system, the new 5 Series also gets an updated ADAS system, now with Automatic Formation of Emergency Lane, Steering and Lane Control Assist with Active Navigation, Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, and Drive Recorder.

When will it go on sale?

BMW says that deliveries of the new 5 Series will start in July.  As for Malaysia, we expect the new G30 BMW 5 Series facelift to be launched sometime in 2021.