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All-new BMW 5-Series: Full details of the next business car champion

bmw 5 series 2017 headon
New face for the new generation BMW 5-Series

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1 November 2016

New BMW 5-Series highlights:

  • 100kg lighter
  • 530e plug-in hybrid version available from launch
  • X-Drive four-wheel drive version of the 520d available from launch for the first time, also available on the 530d later
  • Automatic transmission, Pro Navigation system and Dakota leather trim fitted as standard on all models
  • Innovative Driver Assistance System available, that can allow the 5-Series to drive autonomously for 30 seconds

OKAY, so the looks of the all-new BMW 5-Series might be evolutionary, but BMW claim its buyers wanted it this way. Still look closer at the G30 and there are plenty of new design details for the new 5.

At the front, the way the headlights are paired to the kidney grilles is new. Those kidneys are quite clever too, as they’re active – opening and closing to improve efficiency. This is the same as key rival, the Mercedes E-Class.

The long, elegant bonnet isn’t anything different, but the curves are, plus another key identifier is the new lower light signature we spotted on the prototype.

Move to the side of the new 5 and there’s more surface detail down the flanks, plus the latest version of BMW’s iconic ‘Hoffmeister Kink’ on the C-pillar and 17-inch wheels as standard, with 18-inch wheels for M-Sport models.

Whilst at the back, the biggest change is the standard fitment of twin-exhausts for all Five-Series models, whereas it was previously reserved for sportier M-badged versions.

Inside, because of the incremental increase in length, width and height, we’re told there’s slightly more rear legroom, with boot space now up to 550 litres, an increase of 10.

all-new BMW 5-Series
New lights linked with the kidney grilles

Another new feature of the 5-Series interior is the standard-fit Pro Nav system, which – like the latest Volvo models – is made up of tiles like a smart phone. Key features of the new system include live mapping, news alerts, plus you can interact with the new system via hand gestures!

Other key changes for the new 5-Series interior include a wireless phone charging point in the front centre console, full-digital instruments, ambient lighting similar to the latest 7-Series, aluminium trim and standard Dakota leather on all models. Go for an M-Sport version and the dashboard is leather-trimmed too.

With the launch of the new Five-Series, BMW has taken the opportunity to simplify the range and as such, the number of versions available in SE and M-Sport trims has dropped from 28 to 12.

Prices start at £36,025 with the 187bhp 520d diesel – this 5 also has an impressive 400Nm of torque. Despite the athletic performance, with 0-62mph acceleration coming in just 7.5 seconds, plus a top speed of 146mph – like the last-generation car, it’s still impressively frugal with 68.8mpg consumption and just 108g/km CO2 emissions.

Also, for the first time, you can have your 520d with XDrive four-wheel drive, although economy drops to 62.7mpg, with 119 g/km CO2 emissions.

Available at launch in February next year is the 530i petrol at £40,120. Performance is again a high point with 62mph coming up in just 6.2 seconds, yet the 132g/km emissions prove this is a choice that can be made by head as well as heart.

Then there’s the xDrive-only 540i that does the 0-62mph dash in just 4.8 seconds, yet still emits just 164g/km of CO2.

The other diesel model in the all-new BMW 5-Series range is the £48,835 530d, that has 261bhp, 620Nm of torque and a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds. Despite the performance, the emissions are impressively low at 124g/km and the combined consumption is just 60.1mpg. Like the 520d, the 530d is available with four-wheel drive XDrive transmission.

Also promised later on will be a 540e plug-in hybrid version, which we were told would have sub-80g/km emissions.

We will bring you more details on the new BMW 5-Series as soon as we have them on Business Car Manager.

all-new BMW 5-Series
Clear mapping for the new 5-Series with the Pro Navigation standard on all models

 

 

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