BMW 5-SERIES
Back to normal
BMW's latest executive saloon returns to pre-Bangle design era with a bigger package and more lightweight materials
- Published: 27/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
Design & Packaging
The sixth-generation 5-series has become the next BMW to "soften" the brand's previous radical design philosophy, as seen here in these first official pictures.
Like the 7-series launched last year, the new 5-series now adopts a more conservative strategy in an apparent bid to woo back buyers who found Chris Bangle's art language too revolutionary.
However, BMW's executive saloon now has a more massive presence on the road, thanks to a kidney grille that's the largest ever in the Five's bloodline and stands more upright as in older models.
The bonnet has a chiselled surface, while the big window panes on the rear doors attempt to herald those of the E34 model of the late '80s.
Once again, the 5-series has grown in size in what BMW describes as having the longest in-class wheelbase length of 2,968mm - some 80mm longer than in the E60 - to gain on bigger interior room which has proven quite crucial for cars in this class despite being positioned a notch below luxury saloons like the 7-series.
It's also the inside of the 5-series that has reclaimed the lost glory of BMWs of yore. The fascia, for instance, is now inclined towards the driver - a strategy that Audi is now aping with in its latest crop of cars. Most instrumentation are familiar with the X5, X6 and 7-series, which lends the basic platform to the 5-series.
In order to offset the increase in size, BMW has employed more lightweight materials in the 5-series like aluminium for the doors that are claimed to be 23kg lighter than steel counterparts. Other areas using this element are bonnet, side panels and certain components on the front and rear axles.
BMW says the new 5-series has a stiffer body than the outgoing model by 55% to enhance driving dynamics. It is said that the Germans are hoping to inject more ride comfort into the 5-series, while maintaining the car's fabled handling prowess.
Apart from all the new clever electronics that have made it into the 7-series, a new system has been introduced into the 5-series in the guise of a suspension system that can be personalised by the driver. Now standard in the 5-series is electrical steering system.
The bloodline from left: 1972 E12, 1981 E28, 1998 E34, 1995 E39, 2003 E60 and 2010 F10.
Engine & Transmission
BMW has announced eight engines initially which are basically existing or improved units used in other BMWs currently on sale ranging from the most economical diesel capable of 20kpl up to the most powerful petrol able to to do 0-100kph in 5.0sec flat.
Transmitting power to the rear wheels is an eight-speed automatic in place of the six-speeder. The line-up is as follows (the first three are diesels):
- 520d - 184hp 2.0-litre inline-four turbo.
- 525d - 204hp 3.0-litre inline-six turbo.
- 530d - 245hp 3.0-litre inline-six turbo.
- 523i - 204hp 3.0-litre inline-six.
- 528i - 258hp 3.0-litre inline-six.
- 535i - 306hp 3.0-litre inline-six twin-turbo.
- 550i - 407hp 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo.
Driver-oriented fascia makes a return in the 5-series.
Later next year, pundits are expecting BMW to add a petrol/electric hybrid to the 5-series range most likely to be the mild hybrid used in the 7-series ActiveHybrid. Bosses at BMW have already made it known that the more sophisticated full-hybrid utilised in the X6 ActiveHybrid would be confined to smaller volume models first.
By 2011, BMW is anticipated to be gearing up for the launch of the M5 high-performance saloon. With a new twin-turbo V8 - as first applied in the X5M and X6M - replacing the normally aspirated, high-revving V10, the new M5 is hoped to comfortably be the quickest one yet with a 0-100kph time in four seconds.
Market & Pricing
The 5-series made its debut in its hometown of Munich, Germany, this week and will hit showrooms in March next year. Thai sales are expected to start towards the end of 2010 due to two primary reasons, according to company sources.
Since mainstream BMWs in Thailand are assembled locally, completely knocked-down kits are usually available some nine months after production starts in Germany. The other factor is stock clearance of the outgoing E60 model.
However, there's a distinct possibility that the Thai BMW office may pamper die-hard fans with completely built-up models higher up in the model range like the 535i or 550i before mid-2010, although their prices are likely to exceed B7m.
Taking into consideration the initial engine lineup, the only model attractive under the current excise tax regime is the 520d that can enjoy 30%. Currently, the 520d E60 is taking the lion's share of 5-series sales in Thailand, and that model will continue to be offered.
The sticking point for the Germans will be a baseline petrol version. The 3.0-litre unit, attracting 40% tax, cannot cope with the Mercedes-Benz E250 CGI whose 1.8-litre turbo engine is subject to a lower 30% (25% if Mercedes can make it E20-compatible in next year's locally built E-class).
Since BMW has yet to make 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol power available for the 5-series, it could take the option of using the E60's outgoing 2.5-litre inline-six even though it still faces a higher 35% tax.
Consequently, the 520d would become the most important 5-series for BMW in Thailand, as is the case today, since it can compete under B4m.
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