New BMW 5 Series strikes back
BMW’S much anticipated seventh generation 5 Series will feature a host of smart features and a plug-in hybrid variant that will hit showrooms next year.
As expected, the new car is 100kg lighter than before as a result of the use of more aluminium and highstrength steels.
It has a newly designed chassis, a low centre of gravity, even weight distribution and a lightweight body offering high torsional stiffness that should promise a dynamic driving experience with long-distance comfort.
There are now various chassis options such as Integral Active Steering, which can be ordered with xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive.
The drag coefficient of the 4,935 millimetre-long 5 Series Sedan (Cd = 0.22 at its most efficient) sets the benchmark in its class.
It is also replete with advanced assistance systems. The car is fitted as standard with a stereo camera, which teams up with optional radar and ultrasound sensors to monitor the area around the car.
New features in the 5 Series alongside the evasion aid and Crossing traffic warning are the Lane Change Assistant and Lane keeping assistant with active side collision protection.
The 5 Series also takes another step towards automated driving with extended functions for the optional Active Cruise Control (ACC) system and Steering and Lane keeping assistant.
These include adoption of speed restrictions, which the optional Intelligent Speed Assist communicates to the cruise control system (the driver can adjust this figure by +/– 15 kph).
From rest tot 210 kph, the car can re elieve the driver of acce eleration, braking and steerings duties, as desired.
The Auto StartS Stop function n adjusts its res sponses to the route and traffic conditi ions and therefore g comfort. Improvements are also seen in the cabin where the latest-genera- tion iDrive system is more user-friendly this time.
In top specification, it displays navigation, telephone and entertainment features, plus vehicle functions, on a 10.25-inch screen.
The system can be operated using the iDrive Controller, by voice command or gestures, or by touching the display controls directly.
The latest-generation full-colour BMW Head-HeadUp Display has a projecprojection surface that is 70% larger than before and displays traffic signs, telephone listings, radio stations, musicc tracks, navigation instructions nd warnings from the assissnce systems.
All headlight variants ecified for the 5 Series me as standard with LEDD chnology.
Available as an option are Adaptive LED Headlights with variaable light distribution.