While the US market wasn't exactly holding its breath for a stretched BMW 5 Series (we're more fond of the impending reveal of the new M5 even though BMW still refuses to acknowledge its existence), the Blue and White Roundel used the 2017 Auto Shanghai to unveil its newest version of the 5 Series: the long-wheelbase 5 Series Li. Given how close the new 5 Series is to the 7 Series, the 5 Series Li, which gains 133 mm, will look a bit too similar to its larger sibling.

We spent some time at the BMW booth at Auto Shanghai and managed to snag these images of the 5 Series Li in the metal. Thanks to the fact that it's only 29 mm shorter than a 7 Series, the stretched 5 Series has a presence that we're sure the Chinese market will enjoy. Looks aside, it's really the extra legroom that the 5 Series Li's Chinese buyers will enjoy alongside the discount over the more tech-laden 7 Series. BMW's cluster architecture technology, what the company calls layering various space age materials in the chassis to optimize rigidity and save weight, will ensure the large sedan remains light, allowing for the two 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines or the 3.0-liter inline-six to be more than adequate.