BMW 5 Series will cut a sporty, elegant and stylish figure… and the next step to automated driving

The 7th generation of the BMW 5 Series Sedan will cut a sporty, elegant and stylish figure when it hits the roads in markets around the world in February 2017.

Further enhanced dynamics, an unbeatable line-up of assistance systems, an unmatched degree of connectivity and a new and innovative operating system are the most important new features.

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan therefore has all the tools it needs to continue the remarkable success recorded by its predecessors: more than 7.6 million BMW 5 Series cars were sold across its first 6 generations.

“We see technological leadership, emotionally rich products and digitalisation as essential factors in achieving success.  With the expansion of our model portfolio in the large-vehicle classes, we are satisfying the wishes of many customers.” says BMW confidently.

Superior driving pleasure and unsurpassed aerodynamics

Rigorous application of the BMW EfficientLightweight lightweight design concept with increased use of aluminium and high-strength steels reduces the weight of the 5 Series sedan by up to 100 kilograms from that of its predecessor.

A newly designed chassis, a low centre of gravity, BMW’s hallmark even weight distribution and a lightweight body offering exceptional torsional stiffness combine a wonderfully dynamic driving experience with the long-distance comfort for which the BMW 5 Series is renowned.

Various chassis options such as Integral Active Steering, which can now be teamed with xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, add further talents to a dynamics-focused overall package… designed to ensure the BMW 5 Series once again stands at the top of its class.

The drag coefficient of the new 4935 millimetre-long BMW 5 Series Sedan (Cd = 0.22 at its most efficient) sets the benchmark in its class.

The next step to automated driving


A wealth of assistance systems are on hand in the new BMW 5 Series to offer the driver unbeatable support.  Highlights are:

Evasion Aid: evasive steering around obstacles

Another new function contained in the Driving Assist Plus package is the Evasion Aid. If a swift lane change is required because an obstacle has suddenly appeared in the driver’s path, the Evasion Aid – which operates at speeds up to 160 km/h – supports the necessary evasive steering action.  Faster steering and countersteering during an evasive manoeuvre results in less vehicle instability.  

Safety in such situations is further enhanced by the standard-fitted Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).  While executing the manoeuvre, the evasion aid also uses information from the vehicle’s sensor systems to check how much unobstructed space is available around the vehicle.  At speeds over 160 km/h, the system no longer provides actual steering input and instead focuses on maximising vehicle stability.

Intelligent Speed Assist

The BMW 5 Series also takes another step towards automated driving with extended functions for the optional Active Cruise Control (ACC) system and Steering and Lane Keeping Assistant.  These include adoption of speed restrictions, which the optional Intelligent Speed Assist communicates to the cruise control system (the driver can adjust this figure by +/– 15 km/h).  From rest to 210 km/h, the car can relieve the driver of acceleration, braking and steering duties, as desired.  This means you can now nearly autopilot, as this BMW 5 Series will even adapt to stick to the speed limit.

Active Side Collision Protection

New features in the BMW 5 Series alongside the Evasion Aid and Crossing Traffic Warning are the Lane Change Assistant and Lane keeping Assistant with Active Side Collision Protection.  The latter keeps an eye on the lane markings and the area around the car, and actively helps the driver to avoid looming collisions by applying corrective steering inputs.

Priority Warning, Wrong-Way Warning and Crossing Traffic Warning
Priority warning is also part of the optional Driving Assist Plus package.  It provides visual and audible warnings if the driver has failed to notice that vehicles in another road have priority.  Simultaneously the brake system is primed so that the braking distance can be reduced to a minimum.  Using the standard-fitted stereo camera, the system can also detect if the junction in question is controlled by traffic lights, in which case it suppresses the warning symbols.
 
Both Priority Warning and Wrong-Way Warning operate in conjunction with the optional Navigation system Professional.  The Wrong-Way Warning detects if the driver is driving the wrong way onto a motorway or onto a roundabout, or is heading the wrong way down a one-way street (it happens).

Crossing Traffic Warning uses radar sensors to check for approaching traffic at junctions with poor or impeded visibility, or when backing out of a perpendicular parking space.
Intuitive usability (new iDrive) and extensive comfort

With even greater user-friendliness as its goal, the new BMW 5 Series is equipped with the latest-generation iDrive system.  In top specification, it displays navigation, telephone and entertainment features plus vehicle functions on a high-resolution 10.25-inch screen.  The system can be operated using the iDrive Controller, by voice command or gestures (as seen on tech-flagship BMW 7 Series) or by touching the display controls directly – as the driver wishes.  The large, tile-style panels can be arranged as desired, and show the content of the underlying menus in constantly updated form.

The latest-generation full-colour BMW Head-Up Display (HUD) has a projection surface that is 70 per cent larger than before and displays traffic signs, telephone listings, radio stations, music tracks, navigation instructions and warnings from the assistance systems.

Maximising the levels of on-board comfort are extended storage options, greater legroom for rear-seat passengers, and comfort seats with massage function.

Innovative seat operation using touch sensors and four-zone climate control complete with ionisation and discreet air fragrancing are all possible for comfort in the new 5.

Special Synergy Thermoacoustic Capsule

Special Synergy Thermoacoustic Capsule (SYNTAK) engine encapsulation technology and the acoustic glazing for the windscreen and an acoustic headliner bring about another noticeable reduction in noise levels inside the car.

Advanced link-up of man, machine and environment

The new BMW 5 Series also offers a compelling proposition in terms of connectivity.  Extensive BMW ConnectedDrive features are joined by new services which lavish travellers with extra comfort, and to save them time.  These are not applicable to South Africa, sadly:  the new ParkNow technology for digital parking space reservation and payment, the On-Street Parking Information intelligent parking space search function, and the optional Parking Assistant, which detects empty spots and parks the vehicle automatically.

The Microsoft Exchange service now enables Microsoft Office 365 users to sync emails, calendar entries and contacts and edit them inside their car.

The optional Remote Parking system (seen on new 7 Series) allows the BMW 5 Series to be manoeuvred into and out of even the tightest parking spaces remotely, using the car key.

Personalised content through BMW Connected Onboard
BMW Connected, the personal digital mobility assistant from BMW, has been available in Europe since July 2016, and will, fortunately, be available in South Africa from October 2016.

BMW Connected Onboard gives drivers an overview of their mobility-related information.  Relevant content such as the upcoming navigation destinations and estimated arrival time recorded in their personal mobility agenda are transferred seamlessly into the car from their smartphone, then displayed on the personalised screen.  

Remote 3D View

Remote 3D View allows drivers to call up three-dimensional views of the area around their car on their smartphone in real-time (even when not near the car) which means they need never lose sight of their car.

Welcome back 530i and 540i

Seen on earlier generations of 5 Series, the 530i and 540i badge names are back… though where previous cars were straight-6 or V8, the new 530i is the 2.0 4-cylinder turbo with 185kW/350Nm, with economy improved compared to the 528i it replaces, to 5.4 l/100km and 126 g/km.  

The new 540i is a 3-litre 6-cylinder turbo making the current flagship model, issuing 250kW and 450Nm.  Despite its extra output and sharper dynamic edge, average fuel consumption stands at only 6.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions are kept to just 150 g/km.  The 540i rear-wheel-drive has a 5.1-second sprint time, while the quicker-off-the-line 540i xDrive all-wheel-drive (0-100km/h in 4.8 sec) will not be available in SA.

520d and 530d for diesel die-hards

Counting the popularity of the diesel 5 Series, 520d and 530d will again be available, giving the option of 4- or 6-cylinder diesel turbo engines, with 520d’s 140/400/4.0/107 for the kW / Nm / l/100km / g/km numbers, and the 530d “does a nice line in dynamics and efficiency” with 195/620/4.5/118.

530e hybrid and M550i V8 sports sedan to follow

The combination of the BMW eDrive electric drive concept and a four-cylinder petrol engine produces extremely low CO2 emissions of just 46 g/km and a super-low 2.0 l/100 km in the 530e iPerformance.  System output is 185 kW.

The BMW M550i xDrive will take over as the sporting highlight of the new BMW 5 Series range.  Its V8 engine, developing 340 kW and 650 Nm of torque, impresses not only with its remarkable performance with a 0-100 time of just 4.0 seconds, but also when it comes to efficiency, with fuel consumption a combined 8.9 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 204 g/km.

Brief timeline of previous BMW 5 Series

Generation 1:  1972 (E12)
Generation 2:  1981 (E28)
Generation 3:  1987 (E34)
Generation 4:  1995 (E39)
Generation 5:  2003 (E60)
Generation 6:  2010 (F10)

When will the new BMW 5 Series be available in South Africa?

In March 2017.