The redesigned 2021 BMW 5 Series luxury sedan dives deeper into the high-tech future of the BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series sedan has been a showcase for performance and technology since its launch in 1972, and the 2021 model year, the seventh generation after a 2017 redesign, further enhances both.

BMW on Tuesday unveiled details of the revamped 2021 5 Series, which features an updated exterior, aerodynamic tweaks, new infotainment technology, a more powerful plug-in hybrid system, and a new 48-volt for the 540i model mild hybrid system is featured.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series will be offered in a variety of models depending on what's under the hood. The lineup begins with the rear-drive 530i and the all-wheel-drive 530i xDrive, both powered by a 248-hp 2.0-liter turbo four. The plug-in hybrid 530e and 530e xDrive draw 288 hp from the turbo four and electric motor. The sedan 540i and 540i xDrive add a 48-volt mild hybrid, but output remains the same at 335 hp. And returning to the top of the standard lineup is the M550i with a 523 hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 engine BMW has yet to announce any updates to the high-performance M5.

BMW will add power to its plug-in hybrid models in 2021 with a 181 hp 2.0-liter turbo four paired with a 107 hp electric motor for a total of 288 hp and 40 hp more power. Drivers can tap into an additional 40 hp in bursts of up to 10 seconds with the new XtraBoost feature.BMW does not release electric range or fuel economy figures, but the 2020 530e has an electric range of 21 miles and an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 27 mpg. The additional power and boost feature reduced the 0-60 mph time slightly to 5.7 seconds.

The 540i's 48V mild hybrid system consists of a starter generator and a second battery. The starter generator allows for smooth start/stop operation, coasting from 16 to 99 mph, recovers energy when coasting and braking, adds 11 hp to help the engine run more efficiently, and adds a little more when accelerating.

All 2021 5 Series models will get a facelift, with BMW's signature twin kidney grilles getting taller and wider to match other recent BMWs, with a more pronounced vertical grille bar. Adaptive LED headlights are standard and feature a slim profile with two L-shaped daytime driving light elements on each side. This feature is also reflected in the rear of the new taillights.

While there are no structural changes to the platform, the body is 1.2 inches larger as a result of aerodynamic considerations. The new aerodynamic drag coefficient is a slimmer 0.27, and models with the M Sport package get new front and rear bumpers, an improved rear diffuser, and larger front air intakes with mesh inserts.

Inside, the infotainment touchscreen has been expanded from 10.3 inches to 12.3 inches, paired with a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The buttons on the center console are now gloss black, and new perforated synthetic leather seats with contrast stitching are standard on the four- and six-cylinder models; Dakota leather-trimmed sport seats are standard on the M550i, and Nappa leather is Nappa leather is available as an option on all models. Synthetic leather and contrast stitching frame the M550i's dash.

Navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard. The navigation system features new cloud-based maps that can create faster routes and recalculate routes based on real-time traffic data. The infotainment system includes the latest version of BMW's intelligent personal assistant, which is activated by the phrase "Hey BMW." The system can also be used to set the air conditioning and open and close the windows, learning the driver's preferences and automating some settings over time.

Standard driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Option packages will add adaptive cruise control, front cross-traffic alert, blind-spot collision avoidance, and a system that controls steering, braking, and acceleration at speeds below 40 mph.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series is available for order now and will be in dealerships in July; BMW has already announced pricing, starting at $55,195 for the 530i, $58,495 for the 530i xDrive, $58,190 for the 530e, $60,495 with all-wheel drive, and $540 i is $60,445 with rear drive and $62,745 with all-wheel drive, and the M550i xDrive is $77,795. All prices include a $995 destination fee.