Elite Athlete in a German Suit
Elite Athlete in a German Suit
Elite Athlete in a German Suit
The BMW 5 Series has, for the longest time, slotted in between the 3 and 7 Series and has always attempted to capture the best of both worlds. An offering marginally larger than the compact 3 Series sedan to retain a sporty approach, with technology and comfort usually associated with the larger, more stately executive saloon. For BMW-enthusiasts and consumers alike, I'm happy to report that the new, seventh generation (G30) hits this target just as well as its predecessor did. It's a fine blend of athleticism and sophistication, showing that BMW has done their research and that they've trained their all-rounder well.
Performance.
Through clever use of lightweight materials, including aluminium and magnesium, the new 5 Series is up to 100kg lighter than before. Naturally, a lighter chassis allows for better performance, both in power and fuel efficiency stakes.
The new chassis has also been treated to new engines across the range, and under the hood of the G30 5 Series, at the time of launch, you could find a 2-litre, 4-cylinder turbo-diesel in the 520d, producing 140kW and 400Nm torque. This is the frugal option, with a claimed combined fuel consumption of 4.2l/100km (tyre fitment dependent).
The new 530d features an engine that is better than the model it replaces in all regards. This 3-litre, straight-six, TwinPower Turbodiesel is 5kW more powerful, producing 195kW. It makes 60Nm more for a total of 620Nm and with a claimed, combined fuel consumption of 4.5l/100km, it is 12% more fuel efficient.
Two new petrol engines join the line-up as well. The replacement for the 528i, the 530i, is fitted with a 2-litre TwinPower, 4-cylinder petrol motor that too, improves on the performance and efficiency of the outgoing model. It produces 185kW and 350Nm to propel it from a standstill to 100km/h in a mere 6.2-seconds and is capable of returning a claimed average of 5.5l/100km, a 11% gain on the 528i.
Currently topping the range is the most athletic of the bunch, the 540i with its new straight-six, TwinPower Turbo 3-litre engine. Producing 250kW, the new 540i is 25kW more powerful than before, something that carries over to the torque as well, which is 50Nm stronger, resulting in 450Nm on tap. This model certainly is the star performer and the one to select if spirited driving and performance rank higher on your priority list than comfort and convenience. The 0-100km/h sprint takes a meagre 5.1-seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.
A reduction in weight further aids the handling-prowess of the new 5 Series. The new 5 Series is fitted with improved suspension geometry, featuring a double wishbone front suspension and a 5-link rear setup, constructed from lightweight material. Add to this the option of Integral Active Steering that sees the rear wheels steer either along with, or counter to, the front. This is said to improve manoeuvrability at low speeds and high speed stability.
Having had chance to compare the 530d and the 540i, the 50kg difference in weight is noticeable. The 530d is better suited to the business executive that will spend most of his time in traffic and the long distance journeys. The 540i is the one that the driving enthusiast will gravitate towards, offering a more spritely throttle response and better overall chassis balance when pressing on and driving in a spirited fashion.
Business Attire
It is said that clothes maketh the man, so it stands to reason that the metal makes the car. In the case of the new 5 Series, the new design is sleeker and more stylish than before. In fact, it is now the sleekest BMW sedan on offer, with a super-slippery form that returns a 0.22 cd figure.
Traditional BMW design cues are retained but updated to include the current Hofmeister kink element as well as LED-detailing to incorporate the L-shape in the taillights, and connected headlights that blend in with the trademark kidney grille.
Unfortunately, the G30 looks less like an all-new model and comes across more as a face-lift of the preceding F10 model; there just isn't enough to distinguish it from the model it replaces. When the E39 replaced the E34, there was no confusion. You immediately could tell that it was the new model, without having to guess, or check for small details. Some may not like this, I for one would have liked to see more change, but the F10 is not a bad-looking car, so many will undoubtedly appreciate the styling.
Executive Technology.
While it leans towards the 3 Series with its engine options and dynamism, the 5 Series has always carried over some of the tech from the flagship 7 Series. It's no different in the G30 5 Series with much of the comfort and convenience being passed down. While much of it is available as options, one can still spec the new 5 Series with Driving Assist Plus for functions like Active Lane Keep Assist, Active Cruise Control and surround cameras. The entertainment system, along with Connected drive and rear seat entertainment screens all contribute to a more relaxed drive.
The 10.25-inch infotainment screen is now a touch item and has an improved and revised Gesture Control and iDrive interface that works even better than the 7 Series. While the menu has changed some, the layout is relatively intuitive but still complicated enough that you would need to spend time with it before taking off. It's not the kind of system that one would want to sift through while on the move.
The Big But... not Butt.
The new 5 Series may sound like an excellent blend of sophistication, technology and driving pleasure, but the real world application comes across a little muddied. Much like the middle child that it is, the 5 Series excels neither in the performance side, nor the executive angle. There is nothing that jumps off the page; it's a B-average student and only plays for the second team. It's all a little compromised, sadly. While I was looking forward to this blend of tech and performance, it impressed me in neither aspect.
It's great to have this level of technology filtering down into the smaller models, and it's encouraging to have the lighter, more powerful performance and handling characteristics, but the new 5 Series lacks an identity of its own; reiterated by the all-too-familiar design language.
That said, perhaps that is exactly what the 5 Series customer is looking for. Perhaps he desires a smaller, more agile 7 Series or longs for a 3 Series with a little more space and elegance. It's a great all-rounder but without a little careful specification, it'll never win the Man Of The Match.
| Pricing. | |
| 520d | |
| Standard Model |
R770 500 |
| Sport Line |
R801 600 |
| Luxury Line |
R812 200 |
| M Sport package |
R823 300 |
| 530i | |
| Standard Model |
R838 700 |
| Sport Line |
R859 700 |
| Luxury Line |
R866 600 |
| M Sport package |
R888 600 |
| 530d | |
| Standard Model |
R952 500 |
| Sport Line |
R973 500 |
| Luxury Line |
R980 200 |
| M Sport package |
R1 002 400 |
| 540i |
|
| Standard Model |
R985 300 |
| Sport Line | R1 006 300 |
| Luxury Line |
R1 013 000 |
| M Sport package |
R1 035 200 |