Photo: BMW AG
After what seems like the longest teasing process ever and a photo leak yesterday morning, BMW has finally revealed the G30 5 Series. It's part of the next generation of cars, along with the 7 Series, and we like many things about it.
Most of all, we appreciate that they didn't mess with what a 5 Series is supposed to be, which pretty much guarantees its future success. The G30 is safer, lighter, more efficient, while still being the driver's pick in this segment.
Using a combination of clever engineering and modern materials, BMW has been able to shed up to 100 kilos (220 lbs) over the outgoing model. That number and the fact that the trunk is made from aluminum won't blow Audi or Mercedes out of the water, but it might render the F10 obsolete.
With a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.1 l/100km (4.0 for the manual, equivalent to 68.9 mpg UK and 107 grams of CO2), the 520d is a sensible way to get into the new 5 Series. Being able to sprint to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and reach 237 km/h (147 mph), it's not slow either.
But everything else is much quicker. The base gasoline engine is the 530i, replacing the 528i and packing 252 PS (185 kW) plus 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Capable of sprinting to 100 km/h in as little as 6 seconds and with tolerable fuel consumption, this 2-liter turbo is also a great addition to the range.
Instead of the 535i you have, you guessed it, the 540i with the same B-series 3-liter turbo as in the 340i. Power has jumped from 306 to 340 PS (250 kW), while torque is now 450 Nm (330 lb-ft). What can you ask for more than 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds (with xDrive)? Well, how about the new M550i xDrive, which not only gives the Audi S6 a headache but also makes owners of the old M5 feel awkwardly slow.
For some weird reason, BMW still hasn't made a twin turbo 3-liter diesel, but you can have the new 5er with the single-turbo variant from the 730d. It's got 265 PS (195 kW) and 620 Nm of meat on the bones, great for passing trucks on the autobahn. However, if you want to mix power and efficiency, there's a great alternative in the newly introduced 530e iPerformance, a plug-in hybrid. It's by far the most efficient of the range, capable of sipping as little as 2.0 l/100 km (141.2 imperial mpg) thanks to its electric range of 45 kilometers (27 miles).
From many angles, it reminds us of the 2 Series, the coupe not the minivan. Unlike some competitors, there isn't a design line that looks boring. That might bother the people who want a discreet classless machine, but we'll take a BMW with presence, thank you very much.
The only major niggle is represented by the "hockey sticks" on the side that were borrowed from the 7 Series. Of course, it also helps that LED daytime driving lights and LED dipped/high beam headlights come as standard.
BMW offers an insane barrage of tech features and gadgets, ranging from useful to gimmicky. This executive sedan is an all-seeing, all-knowing machine. For example, the lane keep assist now works at speeds of up to 210 km/h (130 mph). Yes, it can be parked using a remote and borrows gesture control from the 7er, but my personal favorite feature is the head-up display, which is 70 percent larger and has more colors than that of the F10 5er.
Using a combination of clever engineering and modern materials, BMW has been able to shed up to 100 kilos (220 lbs) over the outgoing model. That number and the fact that the trunk is made from aluminum won't blow Audi or Mercedes out of the water, but it might render the F10 obsolete.
The engines
The grit of the 2017 5 Series is a brand new family of engines, shared with the 7er and partly with the 3 Series facelift. The range kicks off with the 520d, developing 190 PS (140 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It's the only one available with a 6-speed manual in addition to the 8-speed Steptronic transmission.With a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.1 l/100km (4.0 for the manual, equivalent to 68.9 mpg UK and 107 grams of CO2), the 520d is a sensible way to get into the new 5 Series. Being able to sprint to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and reach 237 km/h (147 mph), it's not slow either.
But everything else is much quicker. The base gasoline engine is the 530i, replacing the 528i and packing 252 PS (185 kW) plus 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque. Capable of sprinting to 100 km/h in as little as 6 seconds and with tolerable fuel consumption, this 2-liter turbo is also a great addition to the range.
Instead of the 535i you have, you guessed it, the 540i with the same B-series 3-liter turbo as in the 340i. Power has jumped from 306 to 340 PS (250 kW), while torque is now 450 Nm (330 lb-ft). What can you ask for more than 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds (with xDrive)? Well, how about the new M550i xDrive, which not only gives the Audi S6 a headache but also makes owners of the old M5 feel awkwardly slow.
For some weird reason, BMW still hasn't made a twin turbo 3-liter diesel, but you can have the new 5er with the single-turbo variant from the 730d. It's got 265 PS (195 kW) and 620 Nm of meat on the bones, great for passing trucks on the autobahn. However, if you want to mix power and efficiency, there's a great alternative in the newly introduced 530e iPerformance, a plug-in hybrid. It's by far the most efficient of the range, capable of sipping as little as 2.0 l/100 km (141.2 imperial mpg) thanks to its electric range of 45 kilometers (27 miles).
The design and features
We know that not everybody will love the 2017 5 Series, just like every other BMW. However, we think it's a far sportier design than the current A6 and the W213 E-Class.From many angles, it reminds us of the 2 Series, the coupe not the minivan. Unlike some competitors, there isn't a design line that looks boring. That might bother the people who want a discreet classless machine, but we'll take a BMW with presence, thank you very much.
The only major niggle is represented by the "hockey sticks" on the side that were borrowed from the 7 Series. Of course, it also helps that LED daytime driving lights and LED dipped/high beam headlights come as standard.
BMW offers an insane barrage of tech features and gadgets, ranging from useful to gimmicky. This executive sedan is an all-seeing, all-knowing machine. For example, the lane keep assist now works at speeds of up to 210 km/h (130 mph). Yes, it can be parked using a remote and borrows gesture control from the 7er, but my personal favorite feature is the head-up display, which is 70 percent larger and has more colors than that of the F10 5er.
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