New BMW 5-Series revealed

BMW has lifted the veil on its seventh-generation 5-Series sedan, revealing the evolutionary exterior design, contemporary interior features, broadened engine line-up and advanced autonomous driving functions the new four-door will offer when Australian sales get underway next year following its public debut at the 2017 Detroit motor show.

Headlined by a rapid four-wheel drive M550i xDrive M Performance model packing 340kW and an official 0-100km/h time of 4.0sec, the latest incarnation of the 5-Series follows an evolutionary path with an appearance that is not as distinctly removed visually from its predecessor as previously new 5-Series models have been in the recent past.

The new car adopts a similar design to the latest 7-Series, appearing subtly sharper than the old 5-Series with tauter surfacing and more finely honed crease lines along the flanks, including an additional feature line that runs along the top of the front and rear doors to creating a more dynamic shoulder line. Key elements such as the kidney grille and Hofmeister kick within the C-pillar have also been reinterpreted, providing them with a more contemporary form. The shape of the headlamps and tail lamps also recall the traditional graphics of past 5-Series models.

According to its project director Johann Kistler, the decision to retain a familiar appearance rather than opt for an all-new lineage on the new 5-Series was deliberate, based on feedback from customers and a record 2.1 million sales worldwide for the previous generation 5-Series produced between 2009 and 2016.

"In the final choice of designs we had three proposals. The production car is the middle of those three – we also had a more conservative proposal and one that pushed the boundaries a little more," he says.

In terms of dimensions, the new 5-Series has grown, but only slightly. Length is up by 36mm at 4935mm, width extends by 6mm at 1868mm and height increases by 2mm at 1466mm.

For context, the latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class stretches to 4880mm in length, 1850mm in width and 1470mm in height.

The new BMW  also receives a larger footprint; the wheelbase has been extended by 7mm over that of its predecessor at 2975mm, while the track widths of what is likely to prove the most popular model from a global viewpoint, the 520d, are up by 5mm at the front and 3mm at rear at 1605mm and 1630mm respectively.
 
Owing to the increases, BMW claims added interior space, most notably in the rear where leg, shoulder and headroom have all been increased. Boot capacity is also up by 10 litres at 530 litres, although it is still 10 litres shy of its main rival, the Mercedes E-Class.

A comprehensive aerodynamic development program carried out at BMW's Munich based wind tunnel has also netted the new 5-series, known under the internal codename G30, a class leading Cd of 0.22. This has been achieved through the adoption of active grille elements with louvers that open when more cooling air is required, but otherwise remain closed to smooth air flow.

As tradition dictates, the new BMW will be launched in sedan guise first, with a successor to the 5-Series Touring set to see Australian showrooms during the second half of 2017.

In a change to today's model line-up, the successor to the 5-Series GT, which is already undergoing durability testing in prototype form, is set to adopt more individual styling in a move aimed at distancing it from the saloon and Touring models. Sources at BMW's headquarters in Munich also suggest it will adopt the name 6-Series GT and indirectly replace the slow selling 6-Series GranCoupe when it goes on sale in 2018 – a move that hints it will also move to higher positioning and pricing point.

Underneath its predominantly aluminium body, the new 5-Series adopts BMW's new Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform structure, which was introduced last year on the 7-Series and will also be adopted by the upcoming seventh-generation 3-Series due out in 2018. CLAR incorporates more aluminium, magnesium and titanium within its floorpan, bulkheads and connecting nodes than the 35up platform structure used by the old 5-Series.

To keep production costs in check, the 5-Series eschews the expensive carbon fibre structural components used by the 7-Series. However, BMW says the new platform, along with other weight-saving measures such as a lighter wiring loom, have resulted in a reduction in kerb weight of up to 100kg, depending on the model.

At 1540kg, the 520d hits the scales 80kg under its predecessor.       
 
The engine line-up largely mirrors that of the outgoing model with a combination of BMW's latest generation B48 (four-cylinder), B58 (six-cylinder) and N63 (V8) petrol units in combination with B47 (four-cylinder) and B57 (six-cylinder) diesels.
 
Among the confirmed petrol engines is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 185kW in the 530i and a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder delivering 250kW in the 340i.
 
They will be joined shortly after the new sedan's introduction by an updated version of BMW's turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 in the initial 5-Series flagship model, the new four-wheel drive 550d xDrive M Performance.
 
Set to provide stiff competition to the recently launched Mercedes-AMG E43 and Audi S6, it boasts 340kW along with 650Nm of torque – sufficient reserves, claims BMW, to provide the most powerful of the 2017 model year 5-Series petrol models with a 0-100km/h time of just 4.0sec, limited 250km/h top speed along with combined cycle fuel consumption of 8.9L/100km and average CO2 emissions of 204g/km
 
On the diesel side, BMW once again plans to equip four models with its popular turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder oilburner - the 518d, 520d, 520d EfficientDynamics and 525d.
 
Confirmed from the sales is the 520d with the same 140kW and 400Nm of torque as the model it replaces. It provides 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.6sec, a 238km/h top speed along with combined cycle fuel economy that has improved by 0.4L/100km at 4.1L/100km to endow it with CO2 emissions lowered by 12g/km at 107g/km in standard six-speed manual guise.
 
Shortly after launch, the 520d will be joined by a more frugal 520d EfficientDynamics model claimed to return a class leading 3.9L/100km and average CO2 emissions of just 102g/km on the NEDC test cycle.  
 
Ranged above these traditional volume selling diesel models from the start of sales is the 530d, which runs a more powerful version of BMW's classic turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine than its predecessor with 195kW. It will be complimented later on by the 535d replacing 540d, which uses the same engine tuned to 235kW.
 
A more highly developed version of BMW' six-cylinder diesel will also make an appearance in a new four-wheel drive 550d xDrive M Performance model. Already confirmed for the upcoming 750d xDrive, the quad turbocharged 3.0-litre unit delivers delivers 294kW and stout 760Nm of torque, although BMW is holding back on its performance details until closer to launch during the later half of 2017.
 
Also planned to reach the UK by the second quarter of 2017 is a successor to the 535i ActiveHybrid boasting plug in capability and a claimed electric range of up to 45km at speeds limited to 140km/h. No word if it will make Australia yet.
 
Badged as the 530e iPerformance, BMW's latest hybrid uses a detuned version of the driveline found in the X5 xDrive40e, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor delivering a combined output of 185kW and 420Nm of torque. It boasts 0-100km/h capability in 6.2sec together with claimed 2.0L/100km fuel consumption and 46g/km CO2 rating.
 
At the top of the range is the new M5. Expected to make its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, it will challenge the likes of the Audi RS6 and Mercedes-AMG E63 with a lightly revised version of the outgoing model's twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine developing a similar 441kW and 700Nm as the recently introduced M5 Competition Edition model, which acts as a swansong model for the sixth-generation 5-series.
 
In keeping with tradition, the M5 will continue to be offered exclusively in saloon guise, however, BMW's long time partner Alpina is developing an alternative B5 Touring model featuring its own taken on the twin turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with over 441kW, according to sources with knowledge of the German car maker's future model plans.
 
Lower end 5-Series models will continue to come with a standard six-speed manual gearbox in Europe, with higher end variants set to receive an updated version of its predecessors eight-speed automatic. The new M5 will continue to be alone within the line-up in offering a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Selected models, including the popular 520d, will also receive optional xDrive four-wheel drive, at least in the northern hemisphere.
 
In addition to providing valuable weight savings the adoption of the CLAR structure also endows the new 5-Series with a significant increase in torsional rigidity compared to the outgoing sixth-generation model on sale here since 2009.
 
BMW has used the increase in structural stiffness to further hone the suspension of its crucial mid-range model, providing it with a revised double wishbone design with a greater number of aluminium components for lower unsprung weight at the front end.
 
At the rear, BMW has redesigned its traditional five-link suspension, providing the 5-Series with sturdier mounting points together with lighter aluminium components in a move it says brings more controlled wheel movement, improved toe-in properties and greater isolation from bumps in an development claimed to elevate overall ride comfort to previously unattained levels.
 
BMW has confirmed four versions of the new suspension will be available to buyers of the new 5-Series: a standard set-up with fixed rate dampers, a firmer sports tune with reduced ride height, a variable damper system as well as a combination of variable dampers with electronically operated active anti-roll bars to eliminate body roll.
 
Oddly given it features prominently in the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW has decided not to make air suspension available on the new 5-Series, suggesting the revised steel spring set-up provides sharper dynamics in combination with vastly improved ride quality than its predecessor.   
 
Additionally, buyers will be able to combine the xDrive four-wheel drive system with BMW's active four-wheel steering system – a combination already seen on the latest 7-Series. Conceived to enhance the 5-Series' reputation for handling excellence, it provides counter steer to the rear wheels at lower speeds around town and parallel steering at higher speeds out on the open road.
 
An earlier pre-production test drive of the new 5-Series conducted by Drive revealed the new BMW offers great poise and impressive agility when driven quickly, while the new four-wheel steering system provided excellent feedback and constant weighting over a wide range of lock.  
 
BMW has equipped the new 5-Series with various autonomous driving functions to match those by offered by Mercedes-Benz on the latest E-class. Among them is a hands-off function that allows the new sedan to follow the car in front in traffic, stay within its lane on the highway at speeds up to 210km/h and even change lanes at speeds between 70 and 180km/h to overtake a slower moving car if prompted to do so by the driver with the use of the indicator.
 
The 2017-model-year 5-Series is also able to communicate with other BMW models via a so-called car-to-x communication system, altering other traffic users of the electrical systems in use for added safety. For example, if heavy fog makes it necessary to switch the fog lights on, the new BMW is able to warn other cars and their occupants that driving conditions in the area are hazardous.
 
Inside, the new 5-Series offers more space than its predecessor thanks to its longer wheelbase and increased track measurements. An exclusive preview of the new BMW provided to Drive reveals the larger footprint has liberated additional rear seat legroom and shoulder room compared to the older 5-Series.
 
There's sufficient space for five adults on newly developed seats front and back, although a wide centre tunnel continues to rob foot space at the base of the centre rear seat. Crucially, the rear bench has been reshaped to provide a more defined centre seat, rather than being shaped primarily for the two outer seats. This makes a more suitable family car than its predecessor.
 
Up front, the dashboard is similar in design and quality to that of the sixth-generation 7-Series with digital instrument graphics and high grade materials helping to provide the new 5-Series with a suitable up-market look and feel from the driver's seat. The centre console is more heavily angled towards the driver than in BMW's flagship sedan in order to emphasis that it has been engineered to be more driver focused.
 
A free standing 8.7-inch central monitor replaces the previous in-built non-touch central screen through which the infotainment functions are accessed.
 
Placed more easily within reach than that of the old 5-Series, the new monitor mimics the system already offered on the 7-Series by offering a combination of BMW's iDrive rotary controller, pinch and swipe touch control and a range of differing gesture controls.
 
It goes also one better than the top-of-the-line BMW model by adding a voice control system that recognises conversational speech rather than relying on you following specific word commands as in the past – a function the 7-Series is also set to receive in 2017 as part of a number of running changes. Optional is a larger 10.2 inch monitor as part of a so-called Professional package.
 
The latest 6.0 generation of BMW's iDrive provides customizable on-screen menus, allowing you to create your own home page displaying the most common functions in use. Among a long list of driver assistance system is a new speed limit assist function, which allows speed limits to be incorporated into the standard dynamic cruise control, allowing the driver to set a degree of leeway in terms of how close to the maximum speed limit they wish to drive.
 
The new central info-tainment monitor can be combined with the latest generation of BMW's optional head-up display unit – as seen on the 7-Series. Boasting a 75 per cent larger projection area than the unit used by the old 5-Series, it displays real time traffic information, navigation instructions, warnings from driver assistance systems, phone lists and audio track selection among other information at a resolution of 800x 400 pixels.

As with the latest 7-Series, buyers will be able to option the new 5-Series with a so-called display key that can be couple to a remote parking function. It allows fully autonomous parking via a digital control on the key from outside the car.

Production of the G30 5-Series will take place at BMW's Dingolfing site in Germany (sedan, Touring), with additional volume from Magna's production facilities in Graz, Austria (sedan). A long wheelbase Li version due to get an airing at next year's Shanghai motor show will also be assembled in Shenyang, China.

Prices for the new 5-Series are yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to cost marginally more than its predecessor on a model-for-model basis, although BMW confirms it will come with greater levels of standard equipment.

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