After tons of teasing and even a leaked image or two, BMW has finally – officially – revealed the seventh-generation 5 Series sedan, which is due to launch in February 2017.
Besides the rather subtle update in the looks department (and an increase in overall size and interior space), the headline act, of course, is the new model’s increased level of on-board technology, which sees it morph into something of a mini-7 Series.
The Munich-based automaker also says the new BMW 5 Series is significantly lighter than its predecessor, thanks to an increased use of aluminium and high-strength steels. The brand furthermore claims that the new model’s drag coefficient (0,22 Cd at its most efficient) “sets the benchmark in its class”. That class, of course, includes the impressive new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which is undoubtedly the Five’s closest rival.
New powerplants
So, to the engines. First, the bad news (for some, at least): the xDrive all-wheel-drive models again won’t be available in South Africa. And that means local BMW fans won’t have the chance to drive the BMW M550i xDrive, which employs a 4,4-litre V8 engine (worth 340 kW and 650 N.m) and sees off the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4,0 seconds.
No, instead, two petrol engines and two diesel mills will be available from launch, exclusively in rear-wheel-drive form for SA. The 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol mill in the BMW 530i is worth 185 kW and 350 N.m (up from 179 kW in the outgoing 528i), with the manufacturer claiming a fuel consumption figure of 5,4 L/100 km. The 530i is said to complete the 0-100 km/h dash in 6,2 seconds, before topping out at 250 km/h.
The flagship engine at launch, though, will be the 250 kW unit powering the new BMW 540i (up from 224 kW in the 535i it replaces). This 3,0-litre straight-six delivers 450 N.m, and a claimed average fuel consumption of 6,5 L/100 km. In rear-wheel drive guise, the BMW 540i hits three figures in 5,1 seconds.
The 520d, meanwhile, uses a 2,0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine rated to deliver 140 kW and 400 N.m, along with a claimed economy of 4,1 L/100 km (or 4,0 L/100 km with the eight-speed automatic fitted). In auto guise, it will accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 7,6 seconds, before topping out at 237 km/h. Lastly, the six-cylinder BMW 530d makes 195 kW and 620 N.m, its the 3,0-litre mill sipping at a claimed 4,5 L/100 km. The sprint to three figures? Just 5,7 seconds, with top speed limited to 250 km/h.
Another interesting variant unfortunately not coming to South Africa is the ultra-frugal 520d EfficientDynamics Edition, which uses a 140 kW diesel four-pot (with an average fuel consumption of 3,9 L/100 km). In 2017, however, a plug-in hybrid in the form of the BMW 530e iPerformance (with a system output of 185 kW) is likely to become available.
Driving assistance systems
As expected, the new Five boasts an array of updated driving assistance systems, most of which run through a standard stereo camera, which teams up with the optional radar and ultrasound sensors to monitor the area around the car.
In addition to various new and tweaked assistance systems, BMW says its new 5 Series “takes another step towards automated driving” thanks to extended functions for the (optional) Active Cruise Control system and the Steering and Lane-keeping assistant. Handily, the Auto Start Stop function now also adjusts its responses to the route and traffic conditions.
In top specification, the latest-generation iDrive system displays navigation, telephone and entertainment features, plus vehicle functions, on a high-resolution 10,25-inch screen (and it seems the gesture control that debuted in the 7 Series has trickled down to the Five, too). The new 5 Series also debuts wireless Apple CarPlay integration, which finally means a cable isn’t required to connect.
The brand’s (again optional) Remote Parking system has also found its way into the 5 Series, allowing the car to be manoeuvred into tight parking spaces remotely using the car key.
Check out the slides below for a few of the new vehicle’s technical highlights…
