Press Release
All New BMW 5 Series - In Depth
Making a Dynamic Appearance in the Business Class
- Innovative lightweight construction with an aluminium/steel body.
- All-aluminium chassis and suspension, Active Front Steering, Dynamic Drive and runflat tyres.
- Straight-six spark ignition engines from 2.2 - 3.0 litres; 3.0-litre straight-six diesel engine with common rail; manual and automatic six-speed transmission.
- iDrive control concept, head-up display.
- Adaptive headlights, Brake Force Display, bi-xenon headlights, active cruise control.
- More space at the rear and much bigger luggage compartment.
The BMW 520i, 530i, and 530d reaching customers in July 2003 To be launched in the European markets in July 2003, the new BMW 5 Series will be initially appearing in three variants featuring straight-six power units: The 520i developing maximum output of 125 kW/170 bhp and maximum torque of 210 Nm/155 lb-ft, the 530i with 170 kW/231 bhp and 300 Nm/ 221 lb-ft, both models featuring BMW's unique, silken-smooth bi-VANOS spark ignition engines, and the 530d developing maximum output of 160 kW/218 bhp and maximum torque of 500 Nm/369 lb-ft and powered by BMW's new diesel featuring second-generation common rail technology. All three variants come as standard with a new six-speed manual gearbox, with six-speed automatic being available as an option on all model variants. The BMW 520i/530d/530i accelerate from 0-100 kilometres in 9.0/7.1/6.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 230/245/250 kilometres/h (143/152/155 mph), with fuel consumption in the composite EU cycle of 9.0/6.9/9.5 litres/100 kilometres (31.3/40.9/29.7 mpg Imp). The 520iA, the 525i displacing 2.5 litres and with maximum output of 141 kW/192 bhp plus maximum torque of 245 Nm/181 lb-ft, and, in particular, the 545i with a V8 power unit displacing 4.4 litres and developing 245 kW/333 bhp, with 450 Nm/332 lb-ft maximum torque, and with innovative VALVETRONIC, will be following in autumn 2003. Whilst larger and more spacious than its predecessor, the new saloon is not heavier, but even - depending on the model - up to 75 kilograms (165 lb) lighter. This is attributable inter alia to the lightweight aluminium front section combined with the rest of the body-in-white made of steel to take a trendsetting step into the future of bodywork construction. Despite its increase in size and the wider range of comfort features, the BMW 5 Series offers a standard of all-round performance setting new benchmarks in the Executives Express Segment on a relatively low level of fuel consumption. Design:
Elegant and Sporting Through its design alone, the new 5 Series reaches a new standard of aesthetic style, without in any way denying the tradition and roots of the BMW 5 Series. Within the BMW model family, the new model stands out even more clearly than its predecessor through even more unique and individual design. In its style and appearance the new 5 Series thus combines the dynamism and sportiness of the 3 Series with the supremacy and presence of the 7 Series. Dual headlights with a new character: unmistakable from the front The front end marks the starting point of the 5 Series' innovative design. The most striking highlight is provided by the two dual headlights which, through their special look, give the new 5 Series its unmistakable character. Flowing lines beginning around the headlights and extending back down the long engine compartment lid serve as character lines along the sides of the car and all the way to the rear. Styling features such as the additional lines in the engine compartment lid extending from the kidney grille to the A-pillars enhance the impression of light and nimble superiority. The characteristic double kidney grille is larger than on the former model and, through its sporting and dynamic look, clearly accentuates the front end of the car. The integrated front spoiler and the air intake scoop, in turn, enhance the car's powerful and dynamic flair. Elegant and dynamic: the side view The side view underlines the dynamic character of the saloon from every angle. Careful, discreet use of convex and concave surfaces gives the 5 Series an additional profile through the interplay of light and shadow. The flowing C-pillar provides a coupé-like touch, the dynamic and powerful stance of the car being further underlined by short overhangs and large wheels. The clear contour of the wheel arches, serving as yet another design feature typical of BMW, accentuates the wide track of the car. And last but not least, the rear lid opening joint moved to the side ensures even better access to the luggage compartment much larger than before. Superior and generous: the rear view Over and above the new design of the front and the side-line, the third design highlight of the new 5 Series focuses on the rear end. Through its design, the entire rear section gives the car a touch of power and strength eluding both supremacy and generosity in one. The absence of any visible joints combined with the clear design of the rear lid and the integrated spoiler makes the entire rear section look extra-wide, firm and taut. In their design language, the rear lights take up the look of the headlights, their brilliant effect making the individual function levels clear and distinctive. Smaller back-up lights, while providing the same illumination to the rear, add to the car's overall look of style and harmony. Rhythm and harmony all in one: the interior Harmony as the result of clear lines and rhythm provided by exciting contours and surfaces interacts closely with the exterior design language as well as the individual colour and materials scheme to further enhance the sporting and elegant interior of the new 5 Series. In its main features and components, the design of the cockpit follows the new interior design philosophy of the 7 Series but boasts additional classic cockpit features underlining the active driver orientation of the 5 Series. The double binnacle for the instrument cluster and control monitor subdivides the cockpit into a driver and a comfort zone, their design alone representing two successive worlds extending over to the front passenger's side. The comfort zone in the middle between the driver and the front passenger gives both occupants good and ergonomically convenient access to all comfort functions, and a new feature to be admired in the new 5 Series for the first time is the combination of a Controller with a gearshift lever - both with manual gearbox and automatic transmission - as well as the handbrake lever in the centre console. Through its formal design, this combination underlines that classic cockpit feeling and further accentuates the sporting, dynamic character of the new 5 Series. Materials full of class and expression as well as four perfectly matched colour worlds contribute to the overall harmony of the 5 Series, the interior being available not only in black, but also in the two classic colours beige and grey. Carried over from the 7 Series, particularly the beige interior is warm and modern, whilst the grey is new and brighter, intentionally providing a more sporting touch than in the 7 Series. In this case the grey colour world is combined with modern dark basalt grey, as opposed to the black colour world coming with amethyst and chestnut as two additional, exclusive seat colours. The fourth colour world is truffle brown, again a new colour exclusive to the 5 Series and combined with natural black in a special colour scheme emphasizing the modern, natural look of the interior and at the same time providing a discreet but distinguished sign of sporting performance. The "basic" seat upholstery is a structured single-colour fabric accentuated by gloss yarn and providing a new, matter-of-fact but elegant look. As an option the customer can choose either a sporting and elegant combination of fabric and leather, Dakota leather with a distinctive surface grain, Nasca micro-perforated climate leather, and luxurious Exclusive soft Nappa leather.
