The sixth generation BMW 5 Series saloon has recently been unveiled, and according to BMW SA, "... this executive express will truly reset the benchmark in the mid-sized premium segment when it arrives in South Africa in May 2010".
Engines and transmissions:
523i and 528i
Config/No. of cyls/valves: Straight-six / 4
Capacity: 2 996
Engine technology: Bi-Vanos and fully-variable valve control Valvetronic
Power: 150 kW at 6 100 r/min (523i); 190 kW at 6 600 r/min (528i)
Torque: 270 N.m at 1 500 r/min (523i); 310 N.m at 2 600 r/min (528i)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic
535i
Config/No of cyls/valves: Straight-six / 4
Capacity: 2 979
Engine technology: BMW TwinPower Turbo, direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection), fully-variable valve control (Valvetronic)
Power: 225 kW/306 kW at 5 800 r/min
Torque: 400 N.m/295 N.m at 1 200 r/min
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic
550i
Config/No of cyls/valves: V90 / 8 / 4
Capacity: 4 395
Engine technology: BMW TwinPower Turbo, direct fuel injection (High Precision Injection)
Power: 300 kW/407 kW at 5 500 r/min
Torque: 600 N.m/442 N.m at 1 750 r/min
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic
520d
Config/No of cyls/valves: Straight-four / 4
Capacity: 1 995
Engine technology: Common-rail direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable intake geometry
Power: 135 kW at 4 000 r/min
Torque: 380 N.m/280 N.m at 1 900 r/min
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic
530d
Config/No of cyls/valves: Straight-six / 4
Capacity: 2 993
Engine technology: Common-rail direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable intake geometry
Power: 180 kW at 4 000 r/min
Torque: 540 N.m/398 N.m at 1 750 r/min
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with Steptronic
Standard features:
-BMW iDrive control
-Comfort Start
-BMW Professional radio with a CD player, an AUX-In plug and six loudspeakers
-automatic air conditioning with separate temperature and ventilation control on the driver's and front passenger's side,
-Integrated Owner's Manual.
Safety and security:
-three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats,
-frontal and side airbags as well as crash-activated headrests for the driver and front passenger, curtain head airbags at the side,
-a tyre defect indicator as well as an active engine compartment lid for optimum pedestrian safety.
-daytime driving lights, foglamps, two-stage Adaptive Brake Lights and
-cruise control complete with a brake initiation function
Seems more evolutionary... Flat bonnet and wider stance looks directed at the A5. Nothing really says wow, but does look a complete vehicle. Still hope for a little more on the interior side, but should work. Thumbs up.
