2010 BMW 5 Series Sold Out, 4 Months Waiting List

German carmaker BMW is facing these days something it hasn't faced it quite some time now: the success of the new 5 Series has caused a shortage of such vehicles, with the waiting period for new orders now reaching as much as four months.

According to Ian Robertson, BMW's sales chief, who gave a speech at the Automotive News Europe Congress in Spain, the 5 Series is sold out in all markets, with the boom in sales bringing hope that the increased target set by the German carmaker for the year will be met.

The new 5 Series was presented in November last year, with the Touring version being shown for the first time at the 2010 Auto Mobil International (AMI) show in Leipzig in April. With prices in the US starting at $50,475 (535i), the new 5 Series offers 4 petrol engines and two six-cylinder diesel powerplants, to go with the our-cylinder turbodiesel on the 520d.

The new 5 Series version are 550i (407 hp), 535i (306 hp), 528i (258 hp), 523i (204 hp), 520d (184 hp), 530d (245 hp) and 525d (204hp).

The novelties which come with the new 5 Series in terms of engineering are the use of the latest generation of straight-six diesels featuring an all-aluminum crankcase and common-rail direct injection, paired with the eight-speed automatic transmission (optional on almost all versions) and the use of the latest generation of BMW iDrive controller.

All the version of the 5 Series sedan are equipped with BMW's EfficientDynamics technologies, which include BMW’s automatic transmission, EPS Electric Power Steering, Brake Energy Regeneration, gearshift point indicator, active air flaps control, and on-demand operation of ancillary units including a detachable a/c compressor.

The driver assistance systems include Parking Assistant, Top View cameras, and Frontal Collision Warning with application of the brakes when ordered with Active Cruise Control plus Stop & Go. Additionally there is also Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, a Head-Up Display, BMW Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection.

The 5er managed to clinch the top rating of 5 stars from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) in June. The ratings achieved by the car were 95% Adult Occupant, 83% Child Occupant, 78% Pedestrian Protection and 100% Safety Assist, for an overall score of 95/100.