BMW launches new 5-Series
After six years of production, BMW has finally retired the current 5-Series and has unveiled the next generation of its popular midluxury sedan.
Codenamed G30, the new 5-Series is intended to take on competition such as the Audi A6, and the new MercedesBenz E-Class launched last year.
But while these two alternatives maintain a focus towards their levels of luxury, major changes to the 5-Series demonstrate a taste for performance.
Increased use of aluminium in the construction has resulted in it being 100kg lighter than its predecessor, while a new chassis possessing Integral Active Steering and designed to lower the car’s centre of gravity, aims the 5-Series for the more enthusiastic and involved of drivers.
That is not to say BMW isn’t trying to offer the effortless approach to driving.
Further options have been added to the Active Cruise Control system, as well as their Steering and Lane Control Assist, which allow for the monitoring of lanes and objects surrounding the car, and appropriate speed response to both clogged traffic and the open highway.
Other new features of this sort include an evasion aid and Crossing Traffic warning, as well as Lane Keep assist designed to prevent drivers from veering off course. To top it all off, the new 5-Series now boasts the same Remote Parking function found in their flagship 7-Series.
Design wise, the new 5-Series follows in the car maker’s current motif of aggression and angles, the exterior of which almost mirrors that of its 7-Series big brother.
Inside, one will find the latest generation of BMW’s iDrive system, which includes navigation and entertainment all accessed from a high-resolution 10.25-inch screen.
Other interior features include a heads-up display, seats with massage functions, and four-zone climate control.
At launch, the 5-Series will be available with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, all mated to a rearwheel-drive power train and all utilizing BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology.
Of the petrol engines, the 530i with its 2.0-litre 4-cylinder in-line boasts an output of 185kW and 350Nm respectively.
The 540i however, with its 3.0-litre straight six, boasts an even bigger output of 250kW and 450Nm.
Of your choice for diesel, the four-cylinder 520d produces 140kW and 400Nm, while the 3.0-litre six-cylinder found in the 530d produces 195kW and an impressive 620Nm, good enough to propel the car to 100km/h in just 5,7 seconds and to an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.
The range is expected to grow in the coming months, with BMW expected to launch the 530d and 530e iPerformance later this month. More details on those later.
Check out the local pricing for the BMW 5-Series below: BMW 5-Series G30 520d Steptronic – R770 500 BMW 5-Series G30 530i Steptronic – R838 700 BMW 5-Series G30 530d Steptronic – R952 500 BMW 5-Series G30 540i Steptronic – R995 300