AN all-electric BMW 5 series will be part of a new line-up announced by the Bavarian car maker as it launches the eighth generation of its most successful business saloon.

Priced from £73,200 the BMW i5 eDrive40 joins a new 520i petrol model and a potent i5 M60 when the car arrives in the UK in October.

The range will be expanded early in 2024 with the introduction of the BMW 530e and BMW 550e xDrive plug-in hybrid models, which are expected to offer an electric range of 49 - 56 miles and 54 - 62 miles respectively.

Also set to join the model family in spring 2024 is the next generation of the BMW 5 Series Touring estate car, which will also be available with all-electric drive for the first time, as well as with plug-in hybrid drive and pure combustion engine drive.

The 520i saloon is priced from £49,850 while the all-wheel drive i5 M60 will cost from £96,480.

Performance figures for the petrol engined 520i are a 0 to 62mph acceleration time 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 143mph and fuel economy of up to 49.56mpg and emissions of 130g/km at best.

The zero emission i5 can hit 62mph is six seconds while the electric motor in the M60 develop 601hp giving it a 0 to 62mph time of just 3.8 seconds.

Top speeds for the electric models are 120 and 143mph respectively with BMW claiming ranges of up to 361 miles for the i5 eDrive40 and 320 miles for the M60.

BMW says that the new 5 Series is a modern interpretation of the classic styling which has become a standard bearer for the brand for more than 50 years.

The car has grown in length by 97mm to 5,06mm, in width by 32mm to 1,900mm and in height by 36mm to 1,515mm. The wheelbase has been increased by 20mm to 2,995mm for more seating comfort, especially in the rear.

It is the first BMW in the UK to feature Veganza upholstery as standard, encompassing the seats, dashboard and door panels while the high tech BMW Interaction Bar first seen in the BMW 7 Series is now incorporated in the new 5 Series.

The car is also available with a panoramic roof - the first time in the model's history - and digital features are taken to a new high with cutting-edge additions of AI-driven servicing notifications and the introduction of in-car gaming.

With the latest styling cues, the new 5 Series incorporates BMW's latest kidney grille design flanked by twin LED headlights.

Boot space ranges from 520 litres on the 520i with 490 litres available on the i5 models to accommodate the electric drive units on the rear axle.

Recharging to 80 per cent capacity takes 30 minutes according to BMW for the i5 and up to 97 miles of range can be added in 10 minutes.

All versions feature the BMW Curved display which consists of a 12.3-inch information display behind the steering wheel and a control display with 14.9-inch screen, which merge into a single fully digital high-resolution display unit.

BMW has also linked up with gaming platform AirConsole as a further feature which allows the driver and passengers can play casual games while the vehicle is stationary - while waiting for the battery to charge for example.

The i5 M60 xDrive has motors on both front and rear axles which combined produce 601hp - 340 from the rear and a further 261 at the front. Maximum torque is 795Nm or 820Nm when the M Sport Boost or M Launch Control is activated.

The petrol engine in the 520i uses 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to boost economy and develops 208hp - 24hp than the current engine.

As with all previous generations of the 5 Series the new line up will be produced at BMW's Dingolfing factory in Germany where the car has been made since 1973.