BMW 5 Series Car Review in India

The BMW 5 Series is everything a BMW sedan is meant to be: aesthetic, dynamic and efficient. The executive luxury sedan range was first launched internationally, and the spotlight was soon shifted to India, the market which is fast developing as a key market for BMW. The sixth generation of BMW’s greatly successful four-door sedan shows up with pleasing aesthetics that pass on the pure driving pleasure that is so typical of a BMW. The car, with its matchless lavishness in the upper midrange segment, carries an inspiring design, unblemished workmanship, an enlivening drive and captivating performance.

The car has made its entry into the Indian market as 5 variants; two petrol variants - 535i and 523i and three diesel variants - 530d, 520d and 525d. The BMW 5 Series is available in Alpine White as non-metallic paintwork and in the following luring metallic colours: Space Grey, Titanium Silver, Black Sapphire, Havanna, Cashmere Silver, Deep Sea Blue, Milano Beige, Imperial Blue Brilliant Effect and Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect.

The BMW 5 Series sedan has made its debut in India with the world’s first straight-six petrol engine with twin turbo, high-precision injection and Valvetronic in the BMW 535i. The power-packed engine delivers 301 bhp. The 523i variant also derives power from a straight-six petrol engine which gives an output of 201 bhp. The latest generation of straight-six diesel and straight-four diesel motors featuring all-aluminium crankcase and common-rail direct injection stirs up 241 bhp in the BMW 530d, 201 bhp in the BMW 525d and 181 bhp in the BMW 520d.

Eight-speed automatic transmission comes standard in all the variants. Eight-speed sports automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel is a standard feature on the BMW 535i and the BMW 530d. With its ground-breaking gear set configuration, and an exceptional level of inner efficiency and optimized weight, the eight-speed automatic transmission delivers great gearshift comfort, vibrant performance and efficiency of the utmost level.

While the 523i can leap from 0-100 kmpl in 8.5 seconds, the 535i, 530d, 525d and 520d can achieve the same in 6.1, 6.3, 7.2 and 8.1seconds respectively. The maximum torque of the 5 variants is as follows: 523i - 250 Nm at 2750-3000 rpm, 535i - 400 Nm at 1200-5000 rpm, 530d - 540 Nm at 1750-3000 rpm, 525d - 450 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm and 520d - 380 Nm at 1750-2500 rpm.

The stylish aesthetics and vibrant looks of the BMW 5 Series Sedan appear as a result of perfectly balanced proportions. The BMW 5 Series sedan flaunts a long and contoured engine compartment lid, short overhangs, a coupe-like flowing roofline and the familiar Hofmeister kink. Striking lines on the bonnet extend across the elongated surface, down to the prominent grilles. The appealing finesse of the upright front section and the BMW kidney grille leaning slightly forward from certain angles add to the car’s charisma. The tasteful elegance of the side view and the athletic appearance at the rear end, all come together in typical BMW design language to offer a stupendous appearance of style and superiority.

The 2968 mm wheelbase is noteworthy as it is the longest in the segment. The side indicators set the first of many signs. The headlights, tail lamps and fog lights display interplay of light and shadows, a presence that can make their mark even in the dark. Impressive design, perfect workmanship, driver orientation with ideally placed instruments and insightful operation, the BMW 5 Series exemplifies a principle to enthrall the senses. The mishmash of a double track arm front axle and the Integral-V rear axle takes care of supreme driving dynamics and motoring ease all in one.

The efficiency is further enhanced by the Electric Power Steering (EPS) including Servotronic as standard feature for the first time in the BMW 5 Series. The well-structured cockpit and sensitive controls improvise on the sheer driving pleasure in classic BMW style. The emphasis laid on the designing of the passenger cabin is also crystal clear because of the sophisticated ambience it offers taking luxury and ease to a totally different universe. The driver-oriented cockpit in Black Panel technology, the multifunction steering wheel featured as standard, the two highly functional steering wheel columns, and the taking apart of driving and comfort functions further add to the feeling of dominance at the wheel.

The flowing movement from the instrument panel to the door which can be felt instantly stands for the dynamism in the car’s interiors. High-quality control elements are ergonomically positioned for the ideal fit. Cushy Dakota leather is customary to accentuate the looks and comfort. The BMW 5 Series is available in the following colour combinations: Oyster / Black, Black / Black, Vento Beige / Vento Beige, Oyster / Oyster dark and Cinnamon Brown / Black. Fine-wood trim Ash Grain Brown and Fine-wood trim Fine line Anthracite are the two interior trim options. The interiors also sport horizontal surfaces and exciting lines that create a truly generous and harmonious ambience. The clear structure of the cockpit enhances the high level of driver orientation, while the stylish, modern design of the interior is further refined by top-quality material and tastefully composed colour combinations.

The four-zone automatic climate control system permits the driver and passengers to set air distribution to suit their personal preferences just right. The air vents in the instrument control can be set on one focused position through to general, draft-free air circulation. After a set period of time, the seat vents automatically change down a setting to prevent undercooling.

The car is high on safety with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), airbags for driver and passenger, crash sensor, integrated side-impact protection, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). For entertainment on the drive, the BMW 5 Series carries a HiFi loudspeaker system and DVD changer for 6 discs.