BMW’s new 5 goes live
RANGE: SA TO GET 520D, 530I IN REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE, M550I xDRIVE AND M5 COMPETITION
Only the sedan will be offered with pricing to be revealed closer to launch date.
After numerous online leaks and official teasers, BMW unveiled the facelifted 5 Series sedan and Touring at the end of last month. BMW South Africa has confirmed the 5 Series will become available from the fourth quarter of this year with the range consisting of the 520d and 530i in rear-wheel-drive only, the M550i xDrive as well as the M5 Competition. Only the sedan will be offered with pricing to be revealed closer to the launch date.
Entering its fourth year of production, the internally codenamed G30 receives redesigned headlights with Adaptive Matrix or Laserlight LEDs, a new front bumper, BMW’s latest kidney grille, standard trapezoidal dual exhaust outlets on all models, tweaked blacked-out taillight clusters and new alloy wheel designs. These include the Air Performance 20inch wheels that are claimed to reduce drag and therefore improve consumption.
As well as two new colours; Bernina Grey Amber and Phytonic Blue Metallic plus two hues from the Individual catalogue; Tanzanite Blue Metallic and Aventurine Red Metallic, the popular M Sport pack has been updated to include red or blue brake calipers, a revised bodykit, integrated faux rear diffuser and high gloss black grille slates.
The interior’s changes are less dramatic with the biggest being the new 12.3-inch iDrive infotainment system sporting the 7.0 operating system.
Underneath its nipped-andtucked skin, BMW has lengthened the CLAR platform by 21mm overall in the sedan and 27mm in the Touring. The wheelbase, width and height dimensions are unchanged, but the latter now comes with air suspension as standard while the Integral Active Steering system will better assist in cornering at low speeds.
On the technology front, Android Auto premieres along with wireless smartphone charging, over-the-air updates, optional Parking Assistant with a surround view camera, plus Remote Control Parking.
Aside from the plug-in hybrid models for Europe, the rest of the 5 Series are all equipped with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system than adds an additional eight kilowatts for short spells. In standard guises however, the 530i is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol producing 185kW/350Nm.
A t the top-of-the range is the M550i which keeps the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 rated at 390kW/750Nm. It is also the only the petrol model to feature xDrive as standard with the 530i offering it as an option.
The only transmission offered is the mentioned eight-speed Steptronic.
Diesel-wise, the two-stage turbocharged 2.0-litre powerplant in the 520d makes
140kW/400Nm.