The elegant and high-tech successor to BMW's multi-award winner. The all-new BMW 5 Series sedan will make its dramatic first appearance in the U.S. this fall. This new 5 Series follows one of the most successful and lauded model series in BMW's history, the 1997-2003 5 Series. The awards that model series has won over its seven-year run include four AutoWeek "America's Best" awards, seven Edmunds.com "Most Wanted" awards, six Car and Driver 10Best awards and a total of twelve Automobile Magazine All-Star awards. In its last full calendar year of sales, the 5 Series set an all-time sales record of nearly 41,000 units in the U.S. The task of improving upon such an icon would be daunting for any manufacturer. However for BMW, one need look no further than the new 7 Series for inspiration - a car that set new standards for performance, handling, luxury and safety in the premium-luxury sedan category. It is now time to extend those same benchmarks in the executive class.
At first sight, the sporty and elegant styling of the all-new 5 Series is apparent. It exudes both power and sophistication - from the muscular front end with its unmistakable curved headlight clusters featuring four round headlights, to the coupe-like greenhouse, to the sleek trunk with angular taillights. Not immediately apparent is the fact that the 5 Series has grown slightly to accommodate more passenger and luggage space.
The interior: More sophisticated, roomier, more advanced
The interior is fresh and new, and contains some of the renowned interplay of convex and concave surfaces from the BMW Z4. Featuring the iDrive concept, the 5 Series is a pioneer in its class in driver-oriented ergonomics. Most functions essential for driving are located directly in front of the driver, on or around the steering wheel or column. Basic comfort functions are housed in the center console, while all other settings, functions and services are located quickly and efficiently within the iDrive Controller and Control Display specially modified for the 5 Series. The Controller is located such that there is ample room for a console-mounted manual or automatic gearshift. The optional head-up display makes a significant contribution to active safety, by presenting important driving information directly in the driver's line of vision. This new system even allows the driver to select which information will appear on the windshield, for example speed or navigation instructions. Passenger comfort is enhanced by the new automatic climate control system, which features evaporation temperature control. The rear seating area has grown from the previous model, and trunk area is significantly expanded as well.
The all-new 5 Series will again be offered in three versions
The first version of the all-new 5 Series, the 530i, will arrive this October with its turbine-smooth 3.0-liter in-line 6-cylinder engine that produces 225 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. It will be followed quickly by two additional models. The 525i features a 184 horsepower 2.5-liter in-line six with 175 lb-ft of torque. The new 545i will feature the same award-winning, leading edge V8 engine that powers the 745i, which uses double VANOS variable valve-timing, VALVETRONIC throttle-less engine control and infinitely variable intake manifold runner-length control, to produce 325 pulse-pounding horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard on all three versions, and an optional fully-electronic STEPTRONIC six-speed automatic will also be available.
Technical innovations abound
The all-new body makes extensive use of aluminum to form an extremely stiff yet lightweight platform that is, in fact, far lighter than its predecessor. This leads to better performance and fuel economy and an ideal front/rear weight distribution, in a car that is also larger than its predecessor. The rigid chassis and perfectly-tuned suspension are crafted entirely from aluminum.
The 5 Series debuts the world's first Active Front Steering system. Active Front Steering offers a new level of driving comfort, enjoyment and safety on the road. This sophisticated system electronically varies the degree to which the front wheels turn in relation to steering input from the driver. Under normal driving conditions at low and medium speeds the steering ratio becomes more direct, meaning the wheels turn relatively more in relation to input from the driver, reducing the amount the steering wheel must be turned. This enhances the car's performance in city traffic, when parking or in curves. At high speeds, the steering ratio becomes less direct, meaning the wheels turn relatively less in relation to input from the driver and thus provides superior directional stability. AFS works hand-in-hand with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) by monitoring the yaw rate and changing the steering angle accordingly. This reduces the number of DSC interventions and thus offers optimum control comfort for the driver and passengers.
Also networked with AFS and DSC are the optional Adaptive Headlights. With this system, the two bi-xenon headlights are controlled in real-time as a function of the steering wheel angle, yaw rate and road speed, perfectly illuminating the road ahead in a bend. As an additional active safety enhancement the new 5 Series features Adaptive Brakelights. When the driver applies the brakes hard, or upon activation of the ABS, the rear taillights join the brakelights at the same intensity to warn the vehicles behind that hard braking is taking place.
Active Cruise Control (ACC), recently introduced on the 7 Series, will also available now on the new 5. This radar-based system is specially designed for highway driving, which makes it easy to maintain a safe and comfortable distance from the car in front.
Text and photos courtesy of BMW AG
