New BMW 5 Series Facelift in Depth

Press Release

Optimised: 3.0-litre diesel with variable turbine geometry.

Engine output in the new BMW 530d is now 173 kW/235 hp. This version of the 3.0-litre power unit boasts a turbocharger system with variable turbine geometry (VTG) for muscular and, at the same time, harmonious development of power and performance under all conditions. And again, this power unit develops its maximum torque – in this case 500 Newton-metres or 369 lb-ft – at just 1,750 rpm. The result is powerful acceleration to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds (Saloon) or, respectively, 6.9 seconds (Touring). Top speed of the new BMW 530d, in turn, is 250 km/h (155 mph) in the Saloon and 245 km/h (152 mph) in the Touring. At 6.4 (6.6) litres/100 km (equal to 44.1 and, respectively, 42.8 mpg Imp), average fuel consumption under the EU standard is about 12 per cent lower than on the former models.

The third version of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder develops maximum output of 145 kW/197 hp and peak torque of 400 Newton-metres (295 lb-ft). This kind of power accelerates the BMW 525d Saloon to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, with the Touring completing the same sprint in 7.8 seconds. Top speed of the Saloon is 237 km/h or 147 mph, while the Touring has a top speed of 232 km/h or 144 mph. Fuel consumption under the EU standard, finally, is 6.2 litres/100 km (equal to 45.6 mpg Imp) on the Saloon and 6.4 litres/100 km (44.1 mpg Imp) on the Touring, a reduction of up to 17 per cent versus the former models, depending on the car’s transmission.

The entry-level model into the new BMW 5 Series comes with BMW’s four-cylinder diesel displacing 2.0 litres already well known for its superior muscle and economy. Further features of this equally outstanding engine are common-rail fuel injection and a VTG turbocharger.

Developing maximum output of 120 kW/163 hp combined with peak torque of 340 Nm/251 lb-ft, the power unit featured in the BMW 520d also ensures sporting performance and dynamism on the road: The Saloon accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.6, the Touring in 8.9 seconds, and the top speed of the two models is 223 km/h (138 mph) and, respectively, 218 km/h (135 mph). Average fuel consumption, finally, is 5.9 (6.1) litres/100 kilometres, equal to 47.9 and, respectively, 46.3 mpg Imp.

Optional: six-speed automatic transmission and automatic sports mode.

As an option and, indeed, as a highly interesting alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard, all model variants in the BMW 5 Series are available with a six-speed automatic transmission (which is standard on the BMW 535d).

Apart from the direct connection to the engine, this transmission stands out in particular through its upgraded hydraulics, innovative torque converter and even more powerful management software, ensuring an even more spontaneous response to even the slightest movement of the gas pedal and an extremely fast and efficient gearshift. On the road, this means reaction times now some 40 per cent faster than on former automatic transmission models, with the actual gearshift time being almost halved. Shifting back a gear is now just as fast, too, thanks to the direct gear path finder.

The automatic transmission is controlled by an electronic gear selector lever following the usual gearshift pattern.

The new gear selector lever moves back to its initial position once the gear selected is in mesh, with the transmission itself masterminded not in a mechanical process, but rather via electrical signals. As an additional alternative to the manual gearbox, the six-speed Automatic Sports Transmission is now making its debut in the BMW 550i, BMW 530i, BMW 535d, and BMW 530d. This new Automatic Sports Transmission offers the high standard of motoring comfort so typical of the latest generation of automatic transmissions and at the same time allows the driver to shift gears in even more sporting style in the manual mode, the driver choosing gears sequentially either by means of the gear selector lever introduced exclusively for this special transmission or by means of gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.

Pressing the Sports Button, the driver is able to make the entire shift process even more dynamic, the gearshift commands provided by the paddles being implemented even more spontaneously than before. Even the progressive rate of the gas pedal is modified in this case in order to provide optimum conditions for dynamic acceleration at all times.

Active Steering for unique driving comfort.

Featured as standard in the BMW 5 Series, Servotronic serves to vary the degree of steering assistance as a function of road speed. At the same time the BMW 5 Series is the only car in its segment optionally also available with Active Steering varying the steering angle in accordance with the speed at which the car is currently travelling: With the same movement of the steering wheel, the front wheels will move further to the left and right at low speeds than at high speeds. This allows the driver to manoeuvre the car with less effort and force on the steering when parking, while at high speeds it is easier to remain precisely on track.

The power and effectiveness of the high-performance swing-calliper brakes with inner-vented brake discs is now controlled electrohydraulically on the BMW 5 Series, brake pressure being modified individually as required on all four wheels. So should the electronic control unit masterminding the electrohydraulic brake system notice that the driver is applying the brakes all-out, the system will build up brake pressure very quickly indeed, making the entire process of applying the brakes more comfortable and enhancing driving safety thanks to the shorter stopping distances.

Yet a further point is that the BMW 5 Series is equipped with an ongoing, continuous brake wear indicator providing information at all times on the condition of the brake pads.

DSC Dynamic Stability Control with new functions.

DSC Dynamic Stability Control now featuring new, innovative functions helps to make the brake system even more effective. The first and foremost DSC function is to apply the brakes on individual wheels or intervene in engine management in order to counteract any over- or under-steer in bends. Additional features incorporated within DSC are ABS brake control, ASC Automatic Stability Control, a Brake Assistant and CBC Cornering Brake Control. Then there is also Fading Compensation and a new Start-Off Assistant likewise incorporated in the DSC system on the new BMW 5 Series. Regular Dry Braking helps to ensure optimum stopping power in wet weather, and pre-loading of the brake pads enhances the brake standby function when the driver requires a particularly short stopping distance.

Even more precise: BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system for the BMW 5 Series.

BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system available as an alternative to standard rear-wheel drive offers a particular experience in superior traction. Permanent and variable distribution of power provided by xDrive gives the BMW 530xd, the BMW 530xi and the BMW 525xi supreme driving characteristics not only on difficult terrain. Distributing the power of the engine via an electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch variably to all four wheels, xDrive significantly enhances the dynamic driving qualities of the Saloon and Touring. And to ensure even more precise control of the drivetrain, the DSC and xDrive computer units are now networked with one another in a new, innovative concept.

Cruise control with brake function.

As an option the BMW 5 Series is available with cruise control complete with a special brake function. The system is activated in order to maintain the speed set by the driver in advance – at least 30 km/h or 20 mph – regard­less of the route the driver is taking or its specific profile. So depending on current requirements, the system either increases engine power or slows down the car. Contrary to conventional cruise control, this intelligent new system is able to control the road speed of the car not just via the drag force generated by the engine and by shifting down on models with automatic transmission, but also by activating the brakes, thus keeping the car at a consistent speed when, say, driving downhill for a longer distance or towing a trailer.
And using the Curve Speed Limiter, the system is also able to re­duce road speed in bends whenever required for reasons of driving dynam­ics.

Active Cruise Control complete with Stop & Go.

Even more sophisticated and refined, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go offers the driver even greater support and ease of motoring. This innovative system available for the first time as an option on automatic transmission versions of the new BMW 5 Series comes complete with automatic distance control enabling the driver to cruise along smoothly and conveniently on the motorway or country roads, with the system applying the brakes where ne­cessary until the car reaches a standstill and keeping a consistent distance from the vehicle ahead even in stop-and-go traffic at very low speeds. To provide this superior convenience, the system uses radar sensors of the latest generation with an enlarged area of vision, offering the driver a choice of four distance settings. Once the distance the driver has chosen to the vehicle ahead is no longer maintained, the system will intervene in engine management, building up brake pressure to control the car accordingly. Then, once the road ahead is free again, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go will re-accelerate the car to the desired speed. This sophisticated control system is also able to reduce speed auto­matically to a standstill as a function of traffic conditions. In this case Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go slows down the car to a stand­still and holds it in position.

The maximum brake force applied by Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go is 4 metres/sec2. So should the driver be required to intervene be­cause the vehicle ahead is being decelerated very hard under ex­treme conditions, the driver is urged to intervene by visual and acous­tic signals.

In stop-and-go traffic the system helps the driver by automatically maintaining the appropriate distance from the vehicle ahead, reliev­ing the driver of the usual chore of constantly having to apply the brakes in slow and unsmooth traffic. However, the driver still retains his responsibility, since after, say, a short stop of more than three seconds he is required to briefly press down the accelerator pedal or press the Resume button in order to re-accelerate the car. And even when Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go is activated, the driver is able to control the speed of his car at any time simply by giving gas or applying the brakes. Pressing down the brake pedal while driving, finally, the driver is able to deactivate the system altogether.

Keeping reliably on course: Lane Change Warning.

To enhance driver awareness, the new BMW 5 Series is available with a newly developed and quite unique assistance system helping to keep the car exactly on course, that is in the lane chosen by the driver. Referred to as “Lane Change Warning”, this highly innovative system identifies any deviations from the correct course of the car and gives the driver a discreet but tangible signal where he really feels the steering – on the steering wheel itself.

The Lane Change Warning system consists of a camera fitted near the interior mirror on the windscreen, a control unit serving to compare data, and a signalling device.

Head-Up Display and driver support in poor weather with bad visibility.

The BMW 5 Series is the only car in its segment available as an option with a Head-Up Display. Activating this function, the driver has the benefit of receiving information and data particularly relevant for motoring directly in front of his eyes on the windscreen. So as an example, he is able to check out the current speed of the car or navigation data in his direct line of vision with maximum convenience at all times.

In combination with the optional xenon headlights, the new BMW 5 Series comes with a daytime lights function using the corona rings in the dual round headlights. Another feature also available as an option on the new BMW 5 Series is Adaptive Headlight technology illuminating the road ahead in exactly the right way and in the right direction following the curves taken by the driver. In this case the headlights swivel in accordance with the position of the steering wheel, the yaw rate of the car, and its road speed. The Bending Lights function, in turn, adjusts the direction of the headlights when taking bends at a speed of less than 40 km/h or 25 mph.

Yet another option available in the new BMW 5 Series as the only car in its segment is the High-Beam Assistant. This sophisticated lights system automatically switches off the high-beam headlights as soon as oncoming traffic is approaching, the distance to a vehicle ahead drops below a certain level, or the road ahead is sufficiently illuminated, for example in a built-up area or on a brightly lit road.

BMW Night Vision also available as an option ensures an even higher standard of all-round safety when driving at night. Unique to the BMW 5 Series in this segment, BMW Night Vision is based on a thermal imaging camera able to detect people, animals and objects on and next to the road up to a distance of 300 metres or almost 1,000 feet, transmitting a clear, high-contrast image to the Control Display also used by the navigation system.

Audio and navigation systems of the highest calibre.

Top-end audio systems and telematics functions serve to enhance motoring comfort and driving pleasure in the new BMW 5 Series to an even higher level of enjoyment. Particularly the newly developed BMW Individual High End Audio System offers exceptional sound quality at all times. The heart of the system is BMW’s trendsetting DIRAC (Dual Input Room Acoustics Calculator) signal processing technology. The digital nine-channel amplifier with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) used in this case develops maximum output of 825 watts. The AUX-In connector, in turn, offers additional options for connecting external audio sources, and a USB interface is also available as an option. This means that in practice the driver or passengers are able to integrate all versions of the Apple iPod fully and conveniently into the audio system of the BMW 5 Series.

A particular highlight in motoring comfort in the BMW 5 Series Saloon
and Touring is the new generation of navigation systems available as an option. New menu guidance and optimised graphic presentation in the Control Display enhance both the appeal and function of these systems controlled and masterminded via BMW iDrive.

As yet a further option, the Professional navigation system also available in the BMW 5 Series can be enhanced and upgraded by new, particularly reliable full-word voice entry available exclusively in BMW cars and comprising the names of some 80,000 towns and cities throughout Germany.

Comfortable, generous, practical: the interior.

Comfortable seats and ample roominess inside the car make both the Saloon and Touring version of the BMW 5 Series ideal vehicles for grand touring and long distances. A further feature adding to the joy of driving the car is the electrical glass sliding roof available as an option on the Saloon and – with even larger dimensions – the Panorama glass roof on the BMW 5 Series Touring. Made up of two panels of sundim glass, the latter covers a total area of no less than 0.68 square metres or 7.32 square feet.

Offering luggage compartment capacity of 520 litres (18.2 cubic feet) (and even 540 litres/18.9 cubic feet on models without an emergency spare wheel), the Saloon gives the driver and his passengers superior space for taking along lots of luggage. The BMW 5 Series Touring, in turn, thanks to its luggage compartment offering up to 1,650 litres or 57.8 cubic feet of storage space when folding down the rear-seat backrest, is a particularly attractive vehicle for all kinds of transport requirements.

A further important feature is the electrically retractable trailer hook available as an option on both variants of the BMW 5 Series – and again making both models quite unique as an amenity not available on any other models. Since this new trailer hook no longer has to be fastened manually after moving out, operation and use of the trailer hook is significantly easier than before.