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| The 2011 BMW 5-Series |
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Julian Lurie
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| The BMW 5-series saloon - is here. Internally dubbed F10, it's te sixth-generation BMW 5-series and was unveiled a few months ago at the Geneva motor show. The outgoing technology, safety and creature comforts, but the Chris Bangel styling was also the source of much controversy. |
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Still, one look at the new-for-2011 F10 styled by the hand of Adrian van Hooydonk and his design team, is a handsome new sedan that appears simultaneously moe in line with the 5 Series' lineage, yet firmly set on the future.
With the longest wheelbase in the segement, a long and sleek engine compartment lid, short overhangs front and rear and a coupe-like roofline, the new BMW 5 Series stands out clearly from the competition. Design features, typical of the brand, are to be found both at the front with its BMW kidney grille inclined slightly forward, on the strikingly chiselled bonnet, and on the muscular rear end.
For 2011, the 5 Series is fitted with an advanced drive-train and suspension technologies,while at the same time the optional Dynamic Driving Control enables the drive to set the suspension individually to his personal requirements. It also offers Adaptive Drive encompassing Dynamic Damper Control and Dynamic Drive stability control,a s well as BMW's Integral Active Steering.
The new BMW 5 Series makes its debut wit one eight-sylinder and three six-cylinder petrol engines and a six-cylinder diesel. The range will be rounded off in August by the addition of a four-cylinder turbo-diesel with an aluminium crankcase and common-rail direct injection, with a maximum output of 135kW, and average fuel cnsumption in the EU5 test cycle of just 5.2 litres/100 kilometres, the CO2 emission rating is 137 g/km.
The top-of-the-range BMW 550i V8 with BMW's TwinPower Turbo Technology and High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC, delivers maximum output of 225k, while the two straight-six power units featuring VALVETRONIC and bi-VANOS develop 190kW in te BMW 528i and, respectively, 150kW in te BMW 523i. THe straigth-six diesel in te BMW 530d has a maximum output of 180kW. All versions of the new BMW 5 Series comply in full with the EU5 standard in Europe.
All the new BMW 5 Series models sold in South AFrica come as standard with BMW's new eight-speed automatic transmission, and Electric Power Steering. |
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BMW EfficientDynamics technologies are featured as standard, with features such as Brake Energy Regneration and on-demand operation of ancillary units including a detachable airconditioner compressor, while the doors, engine compartment lid, front side panels and suspension components made of aluminium to reduce weight.
The drive assistance systems offered for the first time include a brace of cameras to provide a bird's eye parking view, and there's evena self-parking option called Parking Assistant, which I am sure will please your wife. Further features are collision warning with application of the brakes in conjunction wit Active Cruise Control plus Stop & Go. Also available are Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, a Head-Up Display, BMW Night Vision wit detection of individual persons, and a back-up camera.
The launc started from the Cape Town airport, and from there,as if to empasise the executive status of the new 5-series, we were chauffeured in the luxurious leather covered abck seat of a new 535i, to a popular wine estate in Stellenbosch for a quick lunch and a drive briefing.
I was mostimpressed with the generous amount of space, the comfort of the rear compatment, the air-conditioning controls for the rear passengers, and the two video screens behind the front seats, however, a sport sedan like te 5 Series can't be sampled from the back seat, and I was more anxious to drive the car.
Two models were available for us to sample, the 535i and the 530d. My colleague and I started out in the 535i, and we headed out onto the sweeping mountain passes, and the twisiting coastal roads of the spectacular Western Cape.
From beind the wheel for the frist time, everything felt familiar, yet it's all utterly new, from its three-spoke steering wheel to its new wide navigation screen, sturdy switchgear, iDrive control, unique gear selector and general shapes and materials. But although the 535i iDrive control, unique gear selector and general shapes and amterials. But althought the 535i carries its own dashboard design, you'd be hard pused to notice te difference between the new 5 saloon, and the new 7 Series.
As wit the new BMW models, the 5 Series has a much more intuitive new generation iDrive all-in-one controller. The control layout itself is fairly simple and convenient, but the drive must interact with iDrive for anyting other than simple audio and climate adjustments. The latest system is far easier to negotiate than in previous 5-Series models, although some functions still require a long look away from the road.
I was also pleased to see the BMW has replaced the former chrome push-pull paddle-shifters, with the more traditional "rigt to upshift" and "left to downshift."
I always believed that the outgoing 5 Series' 3.0-litre twin-turbo in-line six was a great motor, owever, the new 535i receives a new single turbo engine dubbed N55, which offeres the same output. So why change you may ask? Well BMW's engineers claim that the new motor offers cleaner emissions and better throttle response.
Out on the road, the new BMW 535i is an excellent luxury cruiser, with a superb ride, yet still so sporty and enjoyable to drive. In the twisting corners taken at speed, the mid-corner stance is absolytely flat, and the steering gains weight and speed without feeling articial. The gearbox is programmed to keep engine revs ip and reduce shift times, and the new paddle sifters are a joy to use.
On the freeways, there is no sensation of speed, and the 535i will easily exceed the 200 km/h mark without you even realising it, so keep an eye on the speedo at all times. The brakes are excelletn and the sports type run-flat tyres offer credible grip wit surprising compliance.
My second drive was in the 530d, and this is a gem of a motor. Besides offering superb performance, it is surprisingly quiet at any speed, and unles you really stomp on the loud pedal, or stand outside the car while its idling, you would never know there was diesel power under the bonnet.
The new 5-Series' ride and handling combination is exceptional, well-balanced, agile, and is surprisingly supply over bumps. Braking is strong, stable, and straight, and the new 5's are the benchmark for sport sedans that others will stive to match.
Prices of the new 5-series start at R485 000 for the 520d, with the top of the range 550i priced at R835 000. Prices include BMW's 5-Year/100 000km Motorplan, a non-contributing service and maintenance contract. |
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