There’s a new (look) BMW 5 on the horizon and here’s what we know.
The new BMW 5 Series revealed yesterday will arrive in New Zealand later this year carrying a raft of upgrades.
The updated model builds on previous model’s superior driving dynamics and elevated refinement with contemporary styling touches, enhanced powertrains and new integrated technology elements including the renowned BMW Operating System 7.0 and a high definition 12.3-inch centre control display.
Exterior design: increased presence and exquisite sporting style
The new BMW 5 Series is characterised by sporting grace and clean surfaces with new precise modifications even more vividly showcasing its presence and style.
The BMW kidney grille adds extra width and height, drops down further into the front apron and is framed by a single-piece, octagonal surround. The slimmer contouring of the headlights brings a modern twist to the focused look familiar from BMW’s past and present.
Two L-shaped daytime driving light sources arranged next to each other create a precise and modern light graphic. New full-LED headlights including adaptive cornering function, BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam with matrix technology and the High-beam Assistant all enhance night driving capability.
BMW Laserlight is also available for the new BMW 5 Series to provide an even more powerful level of illumination of the road ahead.
In both headlight variants, the outer daytime driving lights also perform the role of turn indicators. Black edging and a new three-dimensional L-shaped graphic give the rear lights of the new BMW 5 Series additional visual impact.
The rear lights and brake lights are integrated into a shared light fixture that now forms a single unit with the prominently three-dimensional external lens. Regardless of the equipment line and engine specified, all models of the new BMW 5 Series come with trapezoidal tailpipe finishers.
The available BMW Individual High-Gloss Shadowline variant makes a commanding statement with the signature BMW kidney grille finished in high-gloss black and tailpipe finishers in dark chrome.
An extended palette of metallic paints including distinctive hues from the BMW Individual range also allows customers to personalise the 5 Series to their specific tastes.
M Sport package raises exclusivity another notch
The new BMW M Sport package brings a significantly more muscular design to both the front and rear of the vehicle thanks to new, dynamically proportioned aerodynamic features.
New exterior colours and the BMW Individual Air Performance Wheels – which make their debut on the model – provide additional enhancements.
Interior design: 12.3-inch control display takes centre stage
The now standard 12.3-inch control display, newly designed centre console controls and standard sports leather steering wheel with newly arranged multifunction buttons headline an interior brimming with detail refinements.
New additions to the options list include M Multifunctional seats derived from the BMW M5 Competition with a wide range of adjustment, new interior trim strips and seat surfaces in Sensatec perforated trim.
Further developed powertrain and chassis technology
The local engine line-up for New Zealand will be announced closer to launch but will include a range of engines, including a plug-in-hybrid variant.
The 530e hybrid model also now includes XtraBoost as standard equipment.
The feature delivers an additional dose of power under vigorous acceleration with the joint output of the two power sources increased by 30kW up to a maximum of 215kW for up to 10 seconds.
All engines link up with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard.
Sophisticated chassis systems are designed to effectively enhance either agility and dynamism or driving comfort.
M Sport suspension, Adaptive M suspension and Adaptive M suspension Professional including active roll stabilisation are all available.
The latest version of the optional Integral Active Steering can come to the driver’s aid when manoeuvring by turning the rear wheels as required even at speeds under 3km/h.
Red brake calipers are now available as an alternative to the blue units as a visual differentiator for the M Sport brakes.
Driver assistance systems offer additional functions
The driver assistance systems available for the new BMW 5 Series enhance driving comfort on long journeys and increase safety in situations where the driver does not have a clear view.
The Lane Departure Warning system included with the optional Driving Assistant now also features lane return by means of steering assistance.
The Parking Assistant’s range of functions has been extended with the addition of the reversing assistant, which takes control of the steering while reversing for distances of up to 50 metres.
The new Drive Recorder lets drivers capture and store videos of the scene around the vehicle, while the new 3D visualisation of the surrounding area in the instrument cluster provides an enhanced overview of the current traffic situation, the status of the driver assistance systems and the possible courses of action they offer.
Digital services go to the next level
BMW Live Cockpit Professional brings the new BMW Operating System 7.0 to the BMW 5 Series, together with a host of additional digital services.
In addition to calculating routes and arrival times with remarkable speed and precision and updating real-time traffic data at short intervals, the new cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps also allows drivers enter any word when selecting a destination.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with extended functionality is also now available in the new BMW 5 Series as a standard feature.
The smartphone integration function is now compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Remote Software Upgrade enables improved vehicle functions and additional digital services to be imported over the air.
Local arrival
The new BMW 5 Series will arrive in New Zealand this October with pricing and specific engine and variant details to be announced in the lead up to launch.
