The new G30 BMW 5 Series will also be builtat the Magna facotry in Graz. 50,000 to 70,000 units will be manufactured annually in Austria, the rest of the production is back in the BMW plant in Dingolfing.The BMW 5 Series long-wheelbase, exclusively sold in China, should continue to run in the Shenyang factory.
With the end of production of MINI Countryman R60 and Paceman offshot, the Graz plant now has additional capacity, allowing BMW to shift its production where needed.
The new G30 family is built upon the originally called ‘35up’ platform, now CLAR, which will be found in the next 3, 5, 6 and 7 Series models. The platform mixes high-strength steel, aluminum and carbon fiber to drop around 80kg from today’s 5-series. CLAR, a contraction of Cluster Architecture, depicts the extra flexibility provided by fewer but more versatile submodules (clusters) which are more extensively adjustable in content, size and adaptability.
BMW is grouping 500cc cylinders together to create three-, four- and six-pot engines, with 60% common parts. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder will power the 520d and 231 hp 525d, while the leading petrol four is a 272 hp 528i. A three cylinder engine will power a 518d with around 150 horsepower.Engine size dictates which suspensions slot into place: smaller-engined 5-series share front axles with the next 3-series, but go for a six- or eight-cylinder 5-series and you’ll get the front axle from the next 7-series instead.
At the high-end of the new G30 lineup, we will continue to see the six-cylinder engines, in the 530i with 333 horsepower, 540i with 375 hp; and 286 hp 530d, 333 hp 535d and the tri-turbo M550d with 400 hp. The last one is rumored to now feature four turbochargers which should offer astonishing fuel efficiency. The new eDrive platform will most certainly be incorporated into one or multiple 5 Series hybrids combined with a four or six cylinder conventional engine.
A ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and a six speed manual will continue to be offered to customers.
BMW will unveil the new 5 Series in 2016.
[Source: Bimmertoday]
