Has the plug-in hybrid sporting executive saloon finally come of age?
MODEL TESTED550E XDRIVE M SPORT PRO
Despite the prosaic remit, the BMW 5 Series has always been championed at Autocar. For one thing, the concept itself hardly lacks breadth. Our preferred executive saloon sets out not simply to convey occupants down motorways in superb comfort, but also to reward its driver on decent roads, to purvey a sense of subtle luxury through both its interior quality and exterior design, and to offer plenty of practicality to boot. Over the decades, the 5 Series has often delivered on all these fronts.
The outgoing car, codenamed G30, was no different. Sheer scope meant it was arguably a greater achievement than any of its forebears. It could nudge 50mpg in no-nonsense 520d guise, or play up to its rich heritage as a blue-blooded performance saloon in six-cylinder 540i M Sport form. At the top of the tree, the M5 CS was such an extraordinarily talented family supercar that Ferrari was decidedly lukewarm about the idea of us putting one up against the Purosangue. But no matter the flavour, the G30’s baseline credibility concerning everything from dynamic polish to cabin ergonomics was often class-leading.
So, the eighth-generation car has plenty to live up to. What’s more, the G60 enters a world less fussed with traditional saloons than ever, and one where slipping a big, unhybridised engine under the bonnet isn’t an option. Interior tech is also evolving at a frightening rate, as is the notion among car makers that even discreet saloons should now stand out. Physical size, striking looks, pixel count and low on-paper emissions are today’s priorities.
It all contrives to send the 5 Series into uncharted waters. So, while you might have made up your mind about the styling of the new generation, does the same rich substance – that old 5 Series magic – still reside within? Let’s find out.
DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
With its pinched face and leering grille, the G60 takes inspiration from the iX SUV. This seems a questionable approach for a car many still expect to embody a certain elegance. That said, this isn’t the first time BMW has challenged the status quo. The E39 5 Series killed off BMW’s much-loved shark nose aesthetic and the ‘Bangle’ E60 that succeeded it caused outrage in some circles with its flame surfaci
