2017 BMW 5-Series
The G30 5-Series, does look generic 21st century BMW and kind of a careful evolution of
its predecessor, but in reality it’s much more than that. The seventh iteration
of the 5-Series sticks with Munich’s current design language and is reminiscent
of a scaled-down 7, only with more aggressively penned sides and a wider, lower
stance than the previous generation.
The new
saloon is based on the CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform that makes
extensive use of advanced, lightweight and even though it does without the
7-Series’ carbon fiber, total weight has been trimmed by as much as 100 kg, 70
of which come from the chassis alone. The suspension retains the double
wishbone front and multi-link rear layout, but BMW’s engineers have changed its
geometry and made extensive use of aluminum to further improve handling and
comfort. Moreover, there are four different versions: the standard setup, the
firmer sports suspension, one with electronically controlled dampers and, for
the top models, the latter with active roll bars, too.
At launch, the 2017 5-Series will be available with
four turbocharged engines: two petrol units, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 248
HP for the 530i and a 335 HP 3.0-liter inline-six for the 540i, and two
diesels, a 2.0-liter for the 530d and a 3.0-liter for the 530d.
Later on, the line up will grow with the
addition of two more versions. The 530e plug-in hybrid will combine with a
2.0-liter turbo four mated to an electric motor for a total output of 249 bhp
and 420 Nm of torque and an average consumption of just 2.0 lt/100, while the M550i xDrive will be powered by a 4.4-liter V8 with 455 bhp and
sprint to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds dead. That's faster than the current
M5, which needs 4.3, something that a. can be attributed to the advantage of
all-wheel drive, and b. will be 'rectified' once the new, 600 hp, AWD M5 comes
along in late 2017.
Rear-wheel drive will be standard and all-wheel
drive an option, even in RHD cars (a first for the 5er), rear-wheel steering
(Integral Active Steering in BMW-speak) will be optional and an 8-speed auto
will be standard on all models bar the base 520d, which has a six-speed manual
instead.
The bodywork has grown in all dimensions: the new
5-Series is 36 mm longer, 6 mm wider and 2 mm taller than the previous
generation and sports a 7 mm longer wheelbase, improving rear passenger room
and increasing boot capacity to 530 lt. The dashboard would seem
lifted out of the 7-Series if not for the fact that the center console (and its
10.25-inch touchscreen) are angled more towards the driver, which is BMW’s way
of denoting that this is a car you’ll want to drive rather than be chauffeured
in.
The all-new 5-Series features
autonomous driving tech that allows it to not just follow other cars but
overtake them, too. It can also communicate with other BMWs and ‘understand’
natural speech, instead of a set of commands, for its various voice-operated
systems – a feature that’ll be added to the 7-Series next year. It will also be able to find empty spots for you via the new ParkNow
feature.
Sales will commence next February and, although
pricing is not yet available, the new 5-Series will be slightly more expensive
than the outgoing model, but better equipped, too.