BMW 530d
This luxury sedan brings the dream of the driverless car ever closer, writes
Few cars turn heads like the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. Yes, it could have something to do with the evolutionary shape or the craftsmanship of features such as the intricate metal speaker grilles or selectable lighting design. But it’s more likely to be the ability to control the car with no-one in the driver’s seat – the latest step in the shift towards autonomous cars.
While the utopian world of driverless vehicles is still years away, advanced electronics that take over some driving duties are already available. In the case of the 5 Series, remote parking is done at walking pace and you need to stand nearby with both hands on the key fob as the car performs its driverless feat. Still, it’s a neat way to zip into or out of a tight spot or move the car away from a puddle.
The 5 Series has other hands-free tricks. Six onboard cameras, five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors monitor surrounding vehicles and can track lane markings to allow hands-free driving for up to 30 seconds. Not that BMW encourages this. The automated systems are about assisting drivers, not replacing them, and are part of an advanced suite of crash-avoidance technology that can brake, steer and swerve in the event of an emergency.
Even though the German manufacturer has straddled the limousine line with the car’s broad five-seat cabin and graceful interior, BMW is all about the driving experience. The subtle tilt of the centre console towards the driver reinforces that focus. But it’s at speed that the 530d’s dynamic flair shines. Stable yet satisfying through the bends, it constantly communicates what’s going on at ground level back to the driver.
The pace is brisk, courtesy of a silky 3.0-litre turbo diesel. The inline-six engine hesitates briefly before unleashing a delicious 620Nm blast that thrusts occupants back against their seats. It revs cleanly, blending beautifully with the intuitive eight-speed auto. Optional 20-inch wheels do nothing for the ride, though, jarring over cracks in the bitumen or sharp bumps.
That the 530d sips as little as 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres – half the consumption of some petrol-powered cars with similar performance – is evidence of an accomplished and engaging machine; assurance that it’s not just advanced electronics that define the seventh generation of one of BMW’s iconic cars.