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BMW 5 Series history
New 5 Series - parking assist
Since its launch in 1972, BMW’s 5 Series has served as a core model for the German marque and 5.5 million units have been sold to date. Beyond the 3 Series, it's the most important car in BMW's portfolio.
Despite the current model hitting the six-year mark the launch of the new BMW 5 Series range feels almost premature, but nevertheless this evolutionary model does not disappoint.
Design
The design brief for the new model was quite simply put as, “A car that needs to be instantly loved”. It remains to be seen whether the new BMW 5 Series is "loved" but it definitely stands out in the looks department.
The wrap-around headlights have been replaced and the new 5 Series front along with a new front grille
Sporting a similar wheelbase to the 7 Series (4.9m), the new 5 Series is claimed to have the wheelbase within its segment.
The new model sports a long and sleek bonnet, short front and rear overhangs and a coupé-like roofline. Design features typical of the brand are to be found at the front with its BMW kidney grille inclined slightly forward. Factor in the chiseled bonnet surfacing and overall the new BMW 5 Series is aesthetically pleasing.
The rear light cluster have been replaced and the rear design has changed from rounded edges to a more sleek box-like shape.
Driving it
The new BMW 5 Series range consists of one eight-cylinder and three six-cylinder petrol engines as well as a six-cylinder diesel. The range will be rounded off in August with a four-cylinder turbodiesel.
These engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic ZF transmission as standard across the range, a first for the 5 Series. The new transmission sports smooth and intuitive gear changes.
The 535i's profile has been raised and the model now hits the 0-100km/h mark in 6.1 sec. Though power has been increased, fuel consumption is lower by 1.3l/100km compared to the previous generation, tallying 8.4l/100km in the combined cycle.
Suspension has been altered in the form of a double wishbone configuration at the front, replacing the torsion beam used in the previous model.
BMW introduces its full arsenal of EfficientDynamics technologies, which were previously not readily available mostly due to the fuel quality in South Africa, in the new 5 Series. Including features such as brake energy regeneration, the EfficientDynamics package is now standard across the range (though in varying combinations).
Intelligent lightweight construction, finally, is ensured by features such as the doors, engine compartment lid, front side panels and suspension components made of aluminium.
Interior
Inside everything is as you’d come to expect from the 5 Series with plush leather and wood finishes giving off a sense of elegance. The new SATNAV system is a breeze to use with the addition of driver-enabled "weighpoints". Controls are ergonomically placed and the 5 Series features BMW’s HUD (heads-up display) allowing you to read controls such as speed and SATNAV directions without glancing at the control panel while driving.
Much of the technology within the new BMW 5 Series has been carried over from the 7 Series. The EPS (electric power steering) used to control the front and rear wheels create a virtual wheelbase increase.
The new BMW 5 Series introduces a new parking assist system whereby drivers are now able to get a 360 degree view of the car and its surroundings while reversing, courtesy of rear and side mounted cameras. Similar to the parking assist used in the new Land Rovers, drivers will in a sense get a top-down view of the vehicle which makes reversing a breeze.
No Touring derivative will be brought to SA, though the "M" version of the 5 Series will go into production later this year.
Pricelist:
520d - R485 000
523i - R479 000
528i - R568 500
530d - R630 000
535i - R646 000
550i - R835 000
BMW 5 Series history
New 5 Series - parking assist
Since its launch in 1972, BMW’s 5 Series has served as a core model for the German marque and 5.5 million units have been sold to date. Beyond the 3 Series, it's the most important car in BMW's portfolio.
Despite the current model hitting the six-year mark the launch of the new BMW 5 Series range feels almost premature, but nevertheless this evolutionary model does not disappoint.
Design
The design brief for the new model was quite simply put as, “A car that needs to be instantly loved”. It remains to be seen whether the new BMW 5 Series is "loved" but it definitely stands out in the looks department.
The wrap-around headlights have been replaced and the new 5 Series front along with a new front grille
Sporting a similar wheelbase to the 7 Series (4.9m), the new 5 Series is claimed to have the wheelbase within its segment.
The new model sports a long and sleek bonnet, short front and rear overhangs and a coupé-like roofline. Design features typical of the brand are to be found at the front with its BMW kidney grille inclined slightly forward. Factor in the chiseled bonnet surfacing and overall the new BMW 5 Series is aesthetically pleasing.
The rear light cluster have been replaced and the rear design has changed from rounded edges to a more sleek box-like shape.
Driving it
The new BMW 5 Series range consists of one eight-cylinder and three six-cylinder petrol engines as well as a six-cylinder diesel. The range will be rounded off in August with a four-cylinder turbodiesel.
These engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic ZF transmission as standard across the range, a first for the 5 Series. The new transmission sports smooth and intuitive gear changes.
The 535i's profile has been raised and the model now hits the 0-100km/h mark in 6.1 sec. Though power has been increased, fuel consumption is lower by 1.3l/100km compared to the previous generation, tallying 8.4l/100km in the combined cycle.
Suspension has been altered in the form of a double wishbone configuration at the front, replacing the torsion beam used in the previous model.
BMW introduces its full arsenal of EfficientDynamics technologies, which were previously not readily available mostly due to the fuel quality in South Africa, in the new 5 Series. Including features such as brake energy regeneration, the EfficientDynamics package is now standard across the range (though in varying combinations).
Intelligent lightweight construction, finally, is ensured by features such as the doors, engine compartment lid, front side panels and suspension components made of aluminium.
Interior
Inside everything is as you’d come to expect from the 5 Series with plush leather and wood finishes giving off a sense of elegance. The new SATNAV system is a breeze to use with the addition of driver-enabled "weighpoints". Controls are ergonomically placed and the 5 Series features BMW’s HUD (heads-up display) allowing you to read controls such as speed and SATNAV directions without glancing at the control panel while driving.
Much of the technology within the new BMW 5 Series has been carried over from the 7 Series. The EPS (electric power steering) used to control the front and rear wheels create a virtual wheelbase increase.
The new BMW 5 Series introduces a new parking assist system whereby drivers are now able to get a 360 degree view of the car and its surroundings while reversing, courtesy of rear and side mounted cameras. Similar to the parking assist used in the new Land Rovers, drivers will in a sense get a top-down view of the vehicle which makes reversing a breeze.
No Touring derivative will be brought to SA, though the "M" version of the 5 Series will go into production later this year.
Pricelist:
520d - R485 000
523i - R479 000
528i - R568 500
530d - R630 000
535i - R646 000
550i - R835 000
