BMW's new 5-Series

Official pictures of new 5-Series revealed - we report live from the unveil to bring you all the details that matter

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Jack Rix

23rd November 2009

In the flesh the low bonnet and shark-like nose give it a more elegant look than the outgoing model
It’s official, the all-new 5-Series is here! A consistent class-leader since it was introduced back in 1972, the sixth-generation of the ‘5’ promises to be every bit as revolutionary as its forbearers. Auto Express was at an exclusive unveiling of the car in Munich to bring you these first official images and all the details that matter.

With this car it’s clear that BMW has put the Chris Bangle days behind it. The controversial ex chief designer brought his unique brand of love it or loathe it styling to the last 5-Series, but BMW has kept things more conventional this time around. Gone is the awkward boot lip, replaced instead by cleaner lines and tidy proportions, with only two main creases running along the side of the car.

In the flesh the low bonnet and shark-like nose give it a sportier and more elegant look than the formal styling of the outgoing model. In fact it appears more like a bigger brother for the 3-series than a down-sized version of the 7-Series we all expected. Something which Adrian van Hooydonk , design chief for the BMW Group claims is a coincidence: “It looks closer to the 3-Series because we’ve taken a sportier direction with the design. In turn, the design for the new 3-Series will have to be even sportier,” he revealed.

A wheelbase of 2,968 millimetres, the longest in its class, translates to an additional 13 millimetres of leg room in the rear – just one highlight in a much improved cabin. The trademark angled centre console – puts the focus firmly on the driver, while an optional glass sunroof floods the cabin with light. The major design cues, such as the widescreen display and black-panel technology, which appears to be a piece of interior trim when the air-con is not in use and lights up magically when you turn it on, are lifted from the 5-Series GT. But whereas the GT focuses on light and space, the 5-Series is a cosier cockpit-style affair, hinting at its dynamic capabilities.

>>WATCH OFFICIAL FOOTAGE OF THE ALL-NEW 5-SERIES HERE

The engine line up includes four petrol and three diesels. Stop-start is included as standard on the 520d, predicted to be the biggest seller in the UK, while a new eight-speed auto transmission with wheel-mounted paddles can be ordered as an option over the six-speed manual, or comes as standard on the range-topping 550i.

With CO2 emissions of 132g/km and 56.5mpg the four-cylinder 520d is the most frugal 5-Series ever. It’s joined in the diesel line up by two six-cylinder units – the 525d and 530d. Both 3.0-litre single turbo engines, they produce 201bhp and 242bhp respectively with the more powerful of the two still returning a creditable 44.8mpg.

Three straight-six petrol engines are offered – the 523i, 528i and 535i, all of which feature direct fuel injection. The two former are naturally aspirated, while the 535i is turbocharged resulting in 302bhp and a 0-60mph sprint in just 6.0 seconds. But if even more power is a priority, the range-topping 550i, featuring the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the 7-Series, offers just that. Despite packing 401bhp and peak torque figure of 600Nm, the 550i is capable of 27.2mpg.

While the styling might have been toned down, BMW hasn’t dulled its focus on the 5-Series being a car for keen drivers. New double-wishbone suspension at the front is said to strike the best balance yet between handling and comfort, while the Drive Dynamic Control system allows drivers to modulate throttle, steering and gearbox setting via four modes – Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+. The chassis is 50 per cent stiffer than the old model as well, for an overall weight penalty of only 15 kg.

For the UK market, standard equipment will be more generous than ever. All models now come with leather upholstery, automatic air conditioning and Bluetooth connection as standard. Among the myriad options, customers can specify a park assist system, collision warning with auto brake and 360 degree surround cameras which give a bird’s eye view of the car on your display, for negotiating especially tight gaps and spaces.

Despite the additional standard kit, the 520d’s price tag has only risen by £735 over the model it replaces. Further up the diesel range the 525d and 530d start from £32,380 and £36,300 respectively. The petrol line up begins at £30,560 for the 523i, climbing to £36,290 and £49,440 for the 535i and 550i respectively. The newcomer hits showrooms on March 10 minus the 520d, which follows in June.

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18 Comments

Design: BMW is getting there...

Finally! A nice looking BMW... well almost; I only have two criticisms:

1. I preferred the previous model's headlights; rather than evolving, the headlights have de-evolved from the previous model. The toned down headlights don't match the big size of the car.

2. The lower grille does not suit the rest of the car, it looks rather cheap and nasty compared to the rest.

Overall, it looks like a bigger 3 Series, or a smaller 7 Series (depends on how you want to look at it), which in my opinion is a really good thing as I like all the cars of a given make to follow a single design theme, but most poeple will perhaps diasgree.

I knew if the 5 Series was to follow the GT, then BMW would earn themselves a winner and looks like that's exactly what has happened... Could this be the first time BMW is offering a car that looks as good as it is to drives???

By Abdurrahman1 on 23 November, 2009, 6:14pm

Is there a point to this car?

From the picture of all the old 5 series, apart from tweaks to the front and back, this car looks much the same as all the others. Come on BMW, time for a new direction. I wouldn't look twice if that car drove past me, they are in danger of doing a VW Golf.....Spending billions every few years to come up with the same car time after time. I'd have a Jaguar XF any day of the week. Jaguar are right this minute probably cracking open the bubbly and p*ss*ng themselves laughing, and rightly so!

By JamesRiley on 24 November, 2009, 7:48am

Fantastic!

Where do I sign up???

By mondeo_man on 24 November, 2009, 8:31am

Now I do see it.

Last week story I couldn't work out in the drawling. Now after seeing a few webs including the BMW web I do belive this is the new BMW 5 series. Well it good looking to me.

By deviras on 24 November, 2009, 10:17am

Too hot a wash!

It's a 7 thats been on a 95º pre wash!

By darrenharper on 24 November, 2009, 11:13am

Why do you want to ruin success???

To JamesRiley:

BMW and VW are maintaining their successful designs with minor tweaks here and there, a bit like Porcshe, I mean would you want to change something that is so successful???

By Abdurrahman1 on 24 November, 2009, 12:14pm

Another boring BMW

Yet another bland car from BMW. Just looks like a bigger 3 series & very boring.
As for the comment above re the GT, have you seen one in the flesh? I saw one on the M6 last week & apart from the X6 it is the most ugliest car I have ever laid my eyes on.

By KkKkKk on 24 November, 2009, 3:06pm

The upcoming leader of the executive cars

Fantastic size,design,engine and technology. I am sure that it will kick the Jag out..

By black_ghost87 on 24 November, 2009, 4:29pm

Missed opportunity on 520d

I know the 520d is the green model, but it would have been nice to see the 2.0 diesel from the 123d in the 520d. Then I supposed there would be no need for the 525d.

Appearance wise, I think this looks a bit like a 3-series coupe with 4 doors

By vincentm on 24 November, 2009, 4:30pm

As interesting as rotting wood. No doubt a lot of people in UK would buy this namely for the badge & following the "norm" - suckers!

Still its better looking than the GT, which is an UGLY overweight, oversized & overpriced hatchback that serves little purpose in the niche it tried to create.
Mercedes & BMW are very
good in creatng a problem then trying to sell a solution to the car buying public.

e.g. Mercedes's GL & R class, BMW X6 - the don't sell & a waste of R&D.

By scott1234 on 24 November, 2009, 4:32pm

Missed opportunity on 520d

By vincentm on 24 November, 2009, 4:34pm

The pic of the six 5s look like they're in the wrong order - this one looks like the generation-old car, not it's predecessor. At least it's not as hideous as the current E-class, but I'd agree with JamesRiley - it's not a patch on the XF. Evolution is great if it comprises small steps towards something revolutionary (even if, like the original Golf, it originally was something revolutionary). Evolution as an excuse for playing it safe is boring.

By cakewalker90 on 25 November, 2009, 12:43am

Auto Express, how can the front look shark-like and more elegant when all BMW have done is make the grille more upright?? Then change the 'oh-so-lovely' up sweeping eye brows to down-turned jobbies?? All thats happened on the front is its been 'CHANGED'. Is that some sort of convoluted design progress?? Nope!! Then, a la the XF, it has huge wheel arches, which clearly will only look complete with huge bloody [expensively optioned] wheels and those dumb-as-pigeon-shit run-flats. Then you most correctly nailed BMW with your quip..... "myriad options". How many people actually buy a new BMW for the sticker price? None?? And now

By barina47 on 25 November, 2009, 1:48am

Oops, getting too excited gets me flumoxed. My last crack at BMW was over their Jag copycat tizz of mood lighting. Is nothing original anymore??
Thats it fellas, cheers

By barina47 on 25 November, 2009, 1:51am

Thank God Chris Bungle has gone.Maybe now BMW will get back to producing cars with style and not cars that are trying to make a statement.
i.e. I'm pig ugly!

By toycollector on 26 November, 2009, 12:15pm

BMW CARS ARE NOT MADE TO LAST ANYMORE

do not be impressed with these new models every 3 years or so, BMW is not made like they used to , the are not built to last like most compromised automakers, they just want revenue and keep going thru models and attract younger crowds.
The art of lasting auto manufacturing and quality with longevity and reliability is over. This one like other BMW'S cannot be easily mantained here in the USA because mechanics are not properly trainded to take care of them.
Think about it.

By ENGINEERING on 27 November, 2009, 4:36pm

Oversized 3 series or what?

Yuck, it looks like an oversized 3 series. They killed the car. Period.

By racerx2005 on 29 November, 2009, 4:58pm

BMW not convinced any more

Been running a 520d for just over 3 years (115k miles) each BMW is built slightly worse than the last one. This one is a collection of rattles, squeaks lousy paint work and poor quality alloys. You get better service from the NHS than a BMW dealer to go with it. The new 5 series now looks a car for the retired. If there was a XF saloon a bit cheaper with lower Co2 emissions I would buy one as there isnt just ordered a new A5

By yberd1884 on 28 January, 2010, 3:54pm

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