They will be shown the car in a roadshow which will run over this coming weekend in Elm Park Golf and Sports Club in Dublin before being brought to a number of other centres around the country. First deliveries will be early next year.
The new car is lighter, longer, wider and higher than the outgoing version, and has a slightly longer wheelbase.
The primary power unit for Ireland will be a 190hp 2.0 diesel, with rated CO2 emissions of 108g/km, offering a rated fuel consumption of more than 72mpg equivalent. A new 540i xDrive will top the range, priced €77,240. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard.
A 252hp petrol plug-in hybrid version which will be available in March which has a CO2 rating down to 49g/km and an electric-only range of up to 46km.
The new 5 Series will be available in both traditional RWD and AWD. Driver assistance features include a lane-keeping system which brings the model closer to an eventual goal of autonomous operation.
It's the 7th generation of the model, and while very clearly an evolution of the nameplate, it has significant detail differences externally from its predecessor, many taken from the current 7 Series. Standard are LED headlights with glass covers which connect the lights unit into the kidney grille. A dual upper character line emphasises both length and the line of the roof. There are air breather features on lower front wings. The aerodynamic performance of the new car is a 10pc improvement on the outgoing one.
The BMW Connected Drive system includes elements debuted in the 7 Series, including the optional remote control parking feature.
We had our own preview yesterday which impressed, and which has whetted our appetite for a driving experience in the car.
