Press Release
New automatic transmission: even more dynamic, even more fuel-efficient.
As an option and an alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard, all new versions of the BMW 5 Series are available with six-speed automatic transmission meeting the greatest demands in terms of all-round comfort and at the same time translating the dynamic power of the engines into Sheer Driving Pleasure BMW style.
The BMW 535d even comes as standard with this automatic transmission where a hydraulic system enhanced to an even higher level of technology, an innovative torque converter and significantly more efficient control and management software allow not only an even more direct and immediate response to every movement of the gas pedal, but also an extremely quick gearshift. Indeed, reaction times in the new BMW 5 Series compared with the former automatic transmissions are down by approximately 40 per cent, with the time actually required for shifting gears being almost halved.
Shifting back more than one gear is equally quick and efficient thanks to the direct gear finding function. So whenever the driver kicks down the accelerator, expressing his wish for supreme power and performance, the transmission will shift down immediately by up to four gears.
In all, the BMW 5 Series featuring automatic transmission now takes less than a second to switch over from comfortable cruising to a fast and dynamic sprint, offering the driver the thrill of spontaneous, intuitive motoring plus, of course, a very sporting feeling at the wheel ensured by BMW’s new six speed automatic transmission.
The dynamic driving characteristics ensured by the new automatic transmission are also attributable to the direct link between the transmission and the engine itself. This is made possible by new torque converter technology with an integrated torsion damper avoiding any unnecessary slip and, accordingly, loss of power. With the converter clutch being locked immediately after setting off, the driver receives the same feeling and impression as in a car with a manual gearbox. And the final point is that the car’s all-round economy also benefits from the fortes of BMW’s new automatic transmission.
New electronic gear selector lever.
The automatic transmission is masterminded by an electronic gear selector lever offering a perfect symbiosis of straightforward elegance, supreme ergonomic design, and new function. The gearshift pattern is in the usual arrangement, with the new selector lever returning to its starting point after operation. Transmission control is no longer mechanical, but rather uses electrical signals.
To shift to the Parking position, all the driver has to do is press the “P” button at the top of the selector lever. To activate the Manual mode, in turn, he merely has to push the selector lever to the left and is then able to shift gears manually in sequence. A display in the switch itself and a further indicator in the instrument cluster inform the driver of the gear currently in mesh.
This innovative, trendsetting gear selector lever allows a short and ergonomic gearshift process at all times. And a further advantage over and above the comfortable gearshift is the availability of adequate space on the centre console for additional storage boxes.
Automatic Sports Transmission: even more dynamic performance and gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.
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.
Over and above the driving comfort characteristic of the new generation of automatic transmissions, this highly innovative Automatic Sports Transmission allows an even more sporting gearshift in the manual mode. In this case the driver is able to choose the appropriate gear in a sequential process either by way of the gear selector lever exclusive to this specific transmission or by means of gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.
The gear selector lever featured with Automatic Sports Transmission also conveys its signals through an electric circuit, the manual gearshift mode being activated by the driver moving the selector lever to the left.
The alternative option also available in this case, however, is to shift gears by way of paddles on the steering wheel, allowing the driver to change gears very spontaneously at all times in the Manual mode without even taking his hands off the steering wheel. So simply pressing one of the two paddles, the driver is able to shift up and down as he requires.
If the driver also pushes the Sports Button in the gear selector lever, he will benefit in addition from an incomparably dynamic experience of shifting gears, his commands activated by the paddles being translated into actual driving action even more spontaneously. A further point is that the Sports Button also changes the progressive rate of the gas pedal, providing optimum conditions for dynamic acceleration.
Over and above the exceptionally short gearshift times, the driver receives clear feedback every time he shifts gears, making it easier for him to choose the right gear with the optimum pick-up speed.
Spontaneous movement of the needle in the rev counter, finally, clearly proves and confirms the driver’s particularly temperamental and dynamic style of motoring.
