All new BMW 5 Series officially revealed in Munich!

Posted by Harvinder

November 24, 2009

BMW has officially launched the all new 5 Series premium mid-sized sedan in Munich just moments ago. After looking at the entire thing, I must admit that design wise, it looks as though it has hints of both the latest 3 and 7 Series, with the latter looking like it inspired more of the front end. The kidney grille looks larger now but luckily not as large as the 7 Series or the 5 Series Gran Turismo. The rear taillights look like a combination of the taillights found on both the 3 and 7 while the side profile still has the classic 5 look.

The new 5 that is also known as the F10 features a 2,968 mm long wheelbase that can be considered the longest in its class and most interestingly, it shares a common platform with the latest F01 7 Series. Not only that, even certain components like the seats have a common structure and what makes them different are things like the type of leather and stitching. Both the latest 7 and his brand new 5 was part of a joint development. Overall, this new model has a body stiffness that has been increased by 55% compared to the E60 model it replaces.

This new model also features an increased use of aluminium. The automaker has used the light weight material on areas such as the doors. As usual, the 5 Series has bags of technologies and making a debut for BMW is the familiar Parking Assistant system that is optional. The reason why I say its familiar is because this is the self-part function that is also found on certain Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz cars. It is used for parallel parking and the driver only needs to perform pedal work which includes accelerating and braking.

Other highlight features include an electric power steering and rear active steering. The former is a standard fit and hopefully it does not disrupt the almost perfect steering feel that BMWs are normally associated with. The optional rear active steering is cool. I have tested it out with the latest 7 and its a huge help especially when performing U-turns. The system basically turns the wheels the opposite way from the front wheels at low speeds and otherwise at higher speeds. At low speeds, it helps make driving a huge car a much easier affair.

There is also Brake Energy Regeneration, this time with a real time display on the instrument panel to notify the driver what the system is doing as well as a ’surround view’ that can show you a bird’s eye view of the car thanks to various cameras placed on the car. This helps you to maneuver around parking spots. Also on the list is an active engine lid that will pop out by 3 cm at the front and 5 cm at the rear of the lid in the event of a pedestrian collision at speeds between 20 km/h and 50 km/h.

There is also an optional Lane Change Warning system that can warn the driver via a triangular yellow light symbol in the wing mirror housing if it thinks that a lane change is dangerous as well as a Lane Departure Warning system that vibrates the steering wheel to alert the driver if he or she is accidentally drifting into another lane.

Now lets talk about the interior. My first impression: ‘Awesome!’. I may sound a little extra excited but that is because it is way ahead compared to the interior featured in the E60 version. The interior in the E60 looks mundane or boring. Nothing interesting about it, period. But the interior in the F10 is definitely speaking a different language. A language that sounds very similar with the latest 7 Series. Its inspired by the luxury sedan and that is a good thing. It looks classier and the centre console looks great. Just like the new 7, it also has the Black Panel instrumentation that displays a number of things on an LCD screen.

A few models have been announced by the automaker including the 523i, 528i, 535i, 550i, 520d, 525d, and 530d. Buyers of the 530d can also opt for the BluePerformance pack for compliance with Euro 6 emissions. The base 523i is powered by a 3.0 liter powerplant that can produce 204hp at 6,100 revs and 270Nm of torque between 1,500 revs and 4,250 revs. The 528i also uses the same engine, but with different output figures. Horsepower is 258 at 6,600 revs while torque is rated at 310Nm between 2,600 revs and 5,000 revs. So far so good and it gets better.

The 535i version has a TwinPower Turbo 3.0 liter engine. This unit can produce 306hp at 5,800 revs and an M3-rivalling 400Nm of torque achieved between 1,200 revs and 5,000 revs. These three petrol engines feature a 6-cylinder configuration. The top of the line 550i variant has a 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 that can crank out 407hp between 5,500 revs and 6,400 revs and a massive 600Nm of torque mostly available 1,750 revs and 4,500 revs. With that said, it would interesting to find out how much power the new M5 will have.

The 520d can output 184hp at 4,000 revs and 380Nm of torque between 1,900 revs and 2,750 revs from its 4-cylinder diesel while the 525d has a 6-cylinder 3.0 liter engine that is good for 204hp at 4,000 revs and a respectable 450Nm of pulling power mostly between 1,750 revs and 2,500 revs.

The above mentioned 520d has an average fuel consumption of 5.0 liters per 100 km (EU Standard) while the 535d consumes 6.2 liters per 100 km. The range topping 530d has a 3.0 liter 6-cylinder that can output 245hp at 4,000 revs and 540Nm of torque between 1,750 revs and 3,000 revs. Transmissions wise, there are two to choose from including a 6-speed manual and a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic. There are two versions of the manual. One has dry sump lubrication for the 535i, 525d and 530d while another has the conventional oil supply for the 530d, 528i and 523i models. Look for a high-res image gallery as well as a video of the new 5 Series after the jump.