Given how leaky this internet thingy is, it's a little surprising that no full images of BMW's new 5 Series surfaced ahead of the embargo this evening (November 23). Sure, we had
spy shots and
teaser videos, but there's nothing like the finished product; photographs on a screen rarely do a car justice.
Car Enthusiast flew over to Germany to see the sixth-generation saloon in the metal ahead of its official release in 2010.
BMW allowed us into its inner design sanctum, the FIZ Projekthaus Studio, in Munich to get a feel for how its designers turned their fanciful sketches into clay models and then into the finished 5 Series in front of us: first impressions are favourable. To begin with, it looks no larger than a
3 Series, which is thanks to a nose that is quite different to that of the
5 Series Gran Turismo. It does feature the same wide kidney grilles as the 5 GT and 7 Series, but the lights are more effeminate, giving the 5 Series saloon a softer appearance than both. It could almost be described as pretty.
In profile there's an obvious link to the outgoing car with its long bonnet and cab-back shape, though BMW has added eight centimetres to the wheelbase and moved the characteristic 'Hofmeister kink' further back again. That, in conjunction with the relatively slim C-pillar, gives the 5 Series a much more elegant look than before. A deep swage line works in conjunction with prominent rear flanks to reinforce the brand's sporting side, while the rear the distinctive L-shaped lights are a mix of the 7's and the X1's. The overall effect is one of an attractively styled car, but there's nothing radical about it.
It's the same story inside, where the 7 Series provided inspiration for the overall shape and layout. The quality, fit and finish are top class and there are loads of little details for an owner to discover. That lengthened wheelbase has also freed up some welcome rear legroom.
There will be six models to choose from at launch, with the seventh (and most popular) model, the 520d, arriving a few months later. It boasts a decent CO
2 figure of 132g/km, with combined consumption of 56.5mpg. That's partially thanks to the inclusion of BMW's engine stop-start system for the first time on the 5 Series saloon.
Both 525d and 530d are powered by versions of the acclaimed six-cylinder turbodiesel unit, offering a decent compromise between torquey performance and outright economy. We suspect that the 530d will be one our favourite variants, thanks to its 242bhp, 398lb.ft of torque and 44.8mpg.
Although the diesel models will undoubtedly make up the majority of sales in the UK and the rest of Europe, the petrol engines are worth a mention. All feature direct injection for a start. The 523i and 528i share the same basic naturally aspirated straight-six, while the 535i is powered by the now familiar twin-turbo six-cylinder unit. Topping off the initial line-up is the 401bhp, twin-turbo, V8-engined 550i.
BMW's new eight-speed automatic transmission is standard on the latter and an option elsewhere in the range. In fact, there will be a wealth of options to choose from, with most of the 7 Series's technology and driving aids filtering down to the 5, including things like Night Vision and the Drive Dynamic Control. Though many of the most impressive pieces of kit will be optional extras, BMW has upped the specification, with all versions gaining the BMW Professional Radio, Bluetooth and leather upholstery over and above their predecessors.
Prices will rise only moderately as well, though when the new 5 Series goes on sale in the UK in March the VAT rate will have already increased back up to 17.5% making the gap look bigger. We believe that the first public outing for the 5 Series will be at the
Geneva Motor Show in 2010, though we'd hope to get behind the wheel before then. For more information, check out
www.bmw.co.uk/5series.
Shane O' Donoghue - 23 Nov 2009