Famous Five
The BMW 5 Series began life in 1972 and is now in its seventh generation. Andre Lam takes the latest 540i M Sport for a spin to see if it still deserves the distinction as one of the best in its class
Even though it was the British who coined the term “executive car”, in our neck of the woods it is the German cars that we most associate with this category. Back in 1961, it was the BMW Neue Klasse sedan that challenged Mercedes-benz’s representative in the segment. Following that, the BMW 5 Series became responsible for much of the interest generated in these type of cars. The model’s combination of ostentation, functionality, comfort and performance made it an aspirational car among successful corporate types and was indeed a huge hit with the C-suites of that era. Of course, it attracts more than just top executives today; it has become a favourite among the well-heeled as it can effectively double as a plush family car. In 1972, the top-of-the-range 5 Series began life with a 176hp 3.0L straight six-cylinder engine. Over the years, the engine got progressively larger, reaching the age of opulent excess in the first decade of this millennium. At one point, the model donned a 4.8L V8 engine, and the powerful M5, the motorsport variant, had a 5.0L V10 engine. However, times have changed and the age of downsizing is upon us. Today’s BMW 540i has actually gone back to a 3.0L six-cylinder engine, but as it is turbocharged, it produces
340hp and 450Nm of torque, almost double that of its 1972 ancestor. Another model in the range called the 530i offers 252hp from its 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. BMW has fitted the latest eight-speed automatic transmission to the new 5 Series. It has also adopted technology that was first seen in the Rolls-royce Ghost—a Gps-assisted shift system that helps predict the proper gears for the road ahead so the car will not be caught napping in the wrong gear for either a corner or an incline. With such a wide spread of gear ratios in the new gearbox, BMW engineers have been able to get excellent performance, with the 540i reaching 100km/h from a standing start in just 5.1sec, which is a whole second faster than its immediate predecessor. Top speed, which has always been electronically limited to 250km/h, is fast enough for most owners. The top gear is very tall and this helps keep fuel consumption down to just 7.2L/100km, which is amazingly frugal when compared to its predecessor’s 11.4L/100km. While the engines have been made smaller, the body has grown in size. With judicious use of aluminium and new high-strength steels, BMW has managed to trim 100kg from the overall weight, and that is a remarkable achievement. The styling is similar to current BMWS, with the marque’s signature kidney grille flanked by twin circular headlights. The glass headlight covers now connect seamlessly with the grille, emphasising the car’s width. Not only does it look suave, there is real science behind the styling of the 540i as it cleaves the air with class-leading aerodynamic efficiency. It was not long ago that designers believed that this sort of aerodynamic
There is real science behind the styling of the 540i as it cleaves the air with class-leading aerodynamic efficiency
efficiency could only be achieved by something that resembled a huge teardrop. Befitting the top model in the range, the 540i will have several M Sport equipment, including the M aerodynamic package that comprises a front apron with larger air intakes, side skirt trim, lowered M Sport suspension, 20-inch M light-alloy wheels, a diffuser-style rear apron and an exhaust system with two rectangular tailpipes. The interior, at first glance, is like all BMW interiors—well designed and appointed, but there is a vast array of tech hidden beneath that veneer of luxury. Last year, the BMW 7 Series introduced features such as gesture control, voice control, touchscreen control and idrive controller, but now the 5 Series adopts the latest versions of these technologies. This enables the user to access functions such as navigation, telephone, entertainment features and vehicle functions through gestures, voice commands or simply touching the buttons on the central 10.25-inch high-resolution LED display. Clearly, gesture control is the coolest gimmick of all where a simple action of tracing a small circle with one’s index finger near the central screen can reduce or increase the volume of the speakers. When you point two fingers toward the screen, the stereo is muted. Other gestures such as a swiping motion means to reject a particular selection or pinching two fingers holds or confirms the selection. It takes a little getting used to, but is intriguing to learn. In addition, there is wireless charging for the new display key or for the latest smartphones that support this feature. For
further connectivity, there is Apple Carplay and a high-speed wifi hotspot in the car. The driver will also enjoy the latest-generation multicolour Head-up Display, which projects information such as your current speed and the road’s speed limit onto the windshield, as standard. If the standard 600-watt audio system is not to your taste, you can get the optional Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with diamond tweeters, 1,400-watt 10-channel amplifier and a total of 16 speakers with brushed stainless steel grilles. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of technology, but don’t forget that BMW had promised us the ultimate driving machine. Cocooned in luxury, the driver is very much isolated from the harshness of the road and 70km/h feels just like 100km/h. Comfort seems to be a priority for the 540i and the cabin seems to be a shrink-fit version of the 7 Series. Well, first-class fittings in business class are always nice. BMW’S 3.0L turbo engine is a gem and deserves the praise heaped upon it by the international press. Being an in-line six-cylinder engine, it is inherently smooth-running and being turbocharged, it is immensely powerful. Comfort usually comes at the detriment of the handling BMW is famous for, so to counter that, the marque’s engineers have incorporated the latest electromechanical anti-roll stabilisation mechanism as part of the optional Adaptive Drive system. This combines the Dynamic Damper Control with Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation, thus effectively melding the conflicting needs of handling and comfort. However, do not be deceived by the comfort as the car handles crisply and will make you want to have a bit more involvement and feel. BMW has also fitted a Driver Assist Plus feature with evasion aid, which helps steer the car to avoid dangerous obstacles. The system is designed to aid the steering action around the obstacle and stabilise the car on its exit. There is also an automated steering function to provide what BMW describes as a foretaste of the future. It is a bit unnerving to trust the machine to do the steering for you and such a waste as you will not be able to enjoy the handling of the car. In the pursuit of perfection, BMW has created a capable and refined executive saloon that could outrun some sports cars. It gives the buyer the whole nine yards and then some. Call us old-fashioned, but the foretaste of the future did not quite have the intended effect. However, the rest of the 540i is extremely well-executed and although it insulates the driver from the raw communication with the road inherent in its ancestors, the car is far more capable than most owners would ever need their cars to be, and is certainly what they would want.