BMW has taken the wraps off the all-new 5 Series sedan. Having watched its main rivals launching facelift and all-new models this year, the Munich manufacturer has been keen to test public reaction on the 5, and this is their chance.
Stylewise the 5 Series seems to be a combination of several design inspirations, including the 3, 7 and Z series cars. Some critics have observed that Chris Bangle’s old boot is gone with him, something which isn’t factual at all since he was still the chief sketcher at BMW when the car’s final designs were approved. Nevertheless there is a certain calm about it; yes there are “flame surfacing” elements as they should be but not as pronounced as previously. Its proportions seem very well-balanced, especially at the front where the kidney grille dominates but doesn’t overpower like in the 7, and in the uncluttered rear.
BMW says the new 5 has the longest wheelbase in its class at almost 3 metres long. It’s also 4.9m long, 1.9m wide and 1.5m high. This is not a small car at all.
Several engines are introduced for the debut. At the bottom end is the deceptively-badged 523i powered by a 3.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol worth 150kW at 6100rpm and putting out 270Nm of torque between 1500rpm and 4250rpm. They say it will go from 0 - 100km/h in 7.9 seconds and top off at 234km/h. Fuel consumption is claimed to be 7.6 l/100km while C02 emissions are 177 g/km.
Then there’s the 528i, also with a 3.0-litre normally aspirated motor making 190kW at 6600rpm and 300Nm between 2600rpm and 5000rpm. It appears instead of making it more powerful, BMW simply rebadged it down a model. Nevertheless 0 – 100km/h takes 6.7 seconds and top speed is 250km/h. Average fuel usage comes to 7.6 l/100km and C02 emissions are 178 g/km.
Another step up is the 535i which has a 3.0-litre turbo engine with output of 225kW at 5800rpm and peak torque of 400Nm between 1200rpm and 5000rpm. We’ll see the same engine in the 5 Series GT next year. The main difference from the current one is that it uses one instead of two turbos and torque comes in 100rpm earlier than before. The 535i does 6.1 seconds in the 0 - 100km/h sprint, averages 8.4 l/100km in fuel and emits gases of 195 g/km.
The last petrol on the list (for now) is the 550i which uses its 4.4-litre twin turbo engine to produce maximum power of 300kW between 5500rpm and 6400rpm, and thrusts out 600Nm between 1750rpm and 4500rpm. Its acceleration time is said to be 5 seconds flat and top speed is limited to 250km/h. Average fuel consumption is claimed at 10.4 l/100km while C02 emissions are 243 g/km.
The diesel flag is to be carried by the 520d and the 530d which push out 135kW at 4000rpm and 180kW at 4000rpm respectively. Respective torque figures are 380Nm between 1900rpm and 2750rpm, and 540Nm between 1750rpm and 3000rpm. As expected the 520d will be quite frugal, returning 5.2 l/100 km and provisional 137 g/km of C02s. Comparatively the bigger 530d has 6.2 l/100 km and 162 g/km
Some features to be offered include the standard 8-speed automatic gearbox, Parking Assistant, Surround View, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, a Head-Up Display, BMW Night Vision with detection of individual persons, Brake Energy Regeneration, Soft Close Automatic on the doors, four-zone automatic air conditioning and a rear view camera.
BMW South Africa will sell all these models mentioned; 520d, 530d, 523i, 528i, 535i and 550i. All six, except the 520d, will be available at launch in May 2010. The 520d will only be available in August.
As for the long-awaited M5 the long will not be too long this time. Normally M models follow about two years after the regular cars are launched. This time BMW is making sure the M5 arrives quicker. Therefore expect it to start selling in Europe around September 2010. It will feature twin turbo V8 technology for the first time and produce what I think is about 450kW of power.
2010 BMW 5 Series Speculative Pricing
523i (R460 000)
520d (R505 000)
528i (R628 000)
530d (R632 000)
535i (R710 000)
550i (R810 000)
No comments:
Post a Comment