Chris Bangle's 5 series has officially left the house to make way for Van Hooydonk version. The new Beemer 5 er gets my thumbs up for looking rather conventional in a good way of course. I was one of the many people out there who protested against the previous generation 5 series design. The new 5 series has a more muscular feel to it thanks to the smart combination of bulges & lines that co-exist harmoniously on its body panel.
The new 5-Series is larger than ever and it features pretty much the longest wheelbase in its segment – a total of 2,968mm. Apart from looking a lot like the F01 7 series, the new 5 does share a common vehicle platform with the F01(& of course the 5 series GT). The F10 and the F01 was a joint development and both models share the same components extensively. The mean body stiffness of the F10 is up by 55% as compared to the E60. That should further strengthen BMW's claim for producing the ultimate driving machine.
At launch, the 2011 BMW 5-Series will be available in Europe with four petrol and three diesel engines. The diesel lineup includes:
- A 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 184HP and 380Nm (280.2 lb-ft) for the 520d that accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 sec, has a top speed of 227km/h (141mph) and returns a combined fuel economy of 5.0lt/100km (56.5 mpg US)
- The 525d is powered by 3.0-liter straight-six turbo diesel that makes 204HP and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 7.2 sec, a top speed of 236km/h (147mph) and returns a combined figure of 6.2lt/100km (37.9 mpg US).
- The 530d features a 245hp and 540Nm (398 lb-ft) 3.0-liter turbo diesel for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) time of just 6.3 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph). It returns a combined 6.3lt/100km (37.3mpg).
The petrol range includes:
- The 523i which is equipped with a 204HP and 270Nm (199 lb-ft) 3.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-six that allows for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 238km/h (148mph) with a combined fuel economy of 7.6lt/100km (30.9mpg US).
- Next up is the 528i with a 258HP and 310Nm (228.7 lb-ft) straight six. 0 to 100km/h (62mph) comes in 6.6 seconds while top speed is electronically-limited to 250 km/h (155mph). This model returns an average fuel consumption of 7.8lt/100km (30.2mpg US).
- The 535i gets a new, 3.0-liter inline-six with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger (instead of the 335i's two turbochargers). It makes 306HP and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.0 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph) with a combined fuel economy of 8.5lt/100km (27.7mpg US).
- The flagship 550i features a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine with 407HP and 600Nm (442 lb-ft). It hits the 100km/h (62mph) mark in just 5.0 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). BMW says that it returns a combined 10.4lt/100km (22.6mpg US). Power is channeled to the wheels via
If BMW's legendary handling of the standard 5 series still falls short of your expectations, then there is an optional adjustable damper system is called Dynamic Damper Control and is part of a system called Dynamic Drive Control which also varies throttle response, steering response and automatic gearbox shift pattern according to modes – COMFORT (only when the dynamic dampers are equipped), NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT+.
BMW put the new 5 series on a high aluminum diet with low steel intake to suppress unwanted weight gain of the 5 series. Doors, engine lid, and front side panels are now made of aluminium. Heck, BMW has invest a total of 50 million Euros in Plant Dingolfing just to handle the new use of aluminium in the F10 5-Series.
Those who are in good terms with the interior of the 5 series GT & 7 series F01 will not be offended with the new 5 series's living cabin. In fact the interior does look much more up market compared to its predecessor. The instrumentation panel’s multi-info display uses BMW’s Black Panel technology which is basically a big LCD screen which occupies the bottom of the instrumentation panel. There is no parking brake in sight – instead you get a button.
Other technological goodies that will definitely unleash your inner geek includes Head-up Display, Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Speed Limit Info, two rear entertainment packages and a Surround View system that uses cameras in the side mirrors and the front wheel arches in conjunction with Park Distance Control and the optional Reversing Assist camera to provide a 360 degree view on the iDrive display to assist parking.
This Beemer beauty set to go on sale in europe come March 2010 with the Malaysian launch following closely behind.
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