New BMW 5 Series revealed - lighter, quicker, more advanced

BMW Group Asia and Performance Motors Limited (PML) today jointly launched the all new BMW 5 Series, setting new standards in the automotive world with its elegant appearance and state-of-the-art technology. The seventh generation of the BMW 5 Series exceeds customer expectations to be the ultimate business automobile for today's 'Business Athletes'.

According to Mr. Axel Pannes, Managing Director of BMW Group Asia, "A Business Athlete is someone who has a strong character, relentless determination and a dynamic outlook on life. The all new BMW 5 Series embodies all these values with its sporty design, unbeatable lineup of assistance systems, an unmatched degree of connectivity and sustainable mobility. In the past nine years, we have sold more than 10,000 BMW 5 Series in Singapore. We believe this success will continue as the all new BMW 5 Series is the business car our customers in Singapore have been waiting for."

BMW shaved nearly 100kg from the 5 Series' frame using aluminium, magnesium, and high strength steel. Under the hood, the base 530i model gets a new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 252bhp and 350Nm of peak torque. Its fuel consumption in the combined cycle comes in at 16.1km/L, which means CO₂ emissions of 141g/km. The all new BMW 530i accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 250km/h.

The flagship engine at launch will be the 340bhp unit under the bonnet of the all new BMW 540i. This 3.0-litre in-line six cylinder engine produces 450Nm of torque. Despite its extra output and sharper dynamic edge, average fuel consumption stands at only 13.9km/L and CO₂ emissions are kept to just 164g/km. The BMW 540i powers from 0-100km/h in a mere 5.1 seconds.

A wealth of assistance systems are on hand in the new BMW 5 Series to offer the driver unbeatable support - not only at critical moments but also in less demanding situations at the wheel, such as traffic jams, slow-moving traffic and monotonous stretches of highway. To this end, it is fitted as standard with a stereo camera, which teams up with optional radar and ultrasound sensors to monitor the area around the car. New features in the BMW 5 Series alongside the evasion aid and Crossing Traffic Warning are the Lane Change Assistant and Lane Keeping Assistant with Active Side Collision protection. The latter keeps an eye on the lane markings and the area around the car, and actively helps the driver to avoid looming collisions by applying corrective steering inputs.

With even greater user-friendliness as its goal, the new BMW 5 Series is equipped with the latest generation iDrive system. In top specification, it displays navigation, telephone and entertainment features, plus vehicle functions, on a high-resolution 10.25-inch screen. The system can be operated using the iDrive Controller, by voice command or gestures, or by touching the display controls directly, as the driver wishes. The latest generation full-colour BMW Head-Up Display seen in the 5 Series is said to be the largest within its segment. It displays traffic signs, telephone listings, radio stations, music tracks, navigation instructions and warnings from the assistance systems.

The BMW 5 Series also takes another step towards automated driving with extended functions for the optional Active Cruise Control system and Steering and Lane Control Assistant. These include adoption of speed restrictions, which drivers can select as part of the Speed Limit Assist option. Drivers can then confirm adoption of a speed restriction and make an adjustment in the system settings.

At press time, the BMW 530i Luxury comes with a pricetag of $280,800 and an OMV of $49,363, while the BMW 540i M Sport goes for $355,800 with an OMV of $75,553. Both prices include COE, with both cars obtaining a neutral CEVs rating.