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Starting production in March 2007, the new BMW 5 Series range strives for the holy grail of more power, better economy and lower emissions. Delivering power and torque increases by up to 20hp and 20Nm as well as improvements in fuel economy by up to 25 per cent, it appears to have succeeded. All nine power units in the 5 Series Saloon and Touring ranges are either entirely new to the car, or have been significantly revised over the previous model. The dramatic increases in performance and economy come courtesy of a number of new technologies that combine to provide significant and noticeable driver benefits.

High Precision Fuel Injection is offered for the first time on all six-cylinder petrol-powered 5 Series models. Piezo crystal injectors that deliver a precise amount of fuel mixture, exactly when required, offer a significant increase in performance and economy. This is complemented by a BMW first – Brake Energy Regeneration.

Efficient Dynamics

Brake Energy Regeneration appears for the first time on any BMW and forms a key component of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme. Efficient Dynamics focuses on three specific areas – weight, dynamics and consumption – with the intent of developing more power from less fuel in a lower-weight vehicle.

Brake Energy Regeneration takes advantage of energy currently lost through the engine over-run during braking. It uses Intelligent Alternator Control and a high-capacity Absorbent Glass Mat battery. When engine over-run is recognised, the Intelligent Alternator engages and powers up the battery to 100 per cent with what would have been lost energy. It also reduces drag on the engine by only engaging and charging when required. Brake Energy Regeneration will combine with other technologies and other products during 2007 to provide even greater efficiency benefits. In isolation, it provides an average three per cent reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.

Note: the entire range of 5 Series Saloon and Touring models, with performance and economy data, can be found at the end of the release.

Gearbox choices

All 5 Series Saloon and Touring models come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox (automatic standard on 535d variants). A high proportion of customers are expected to specify BMW’s new six-speed automatic gearbox, with its new, more ergonomic, gear selector. Using upgraded hydraulics, an innovative torque converter and powerful software, the new automatic ‘box responds to the slightest movement of the throttle pedal with reaction times increased by 40 per cent, and shift times halved.

Buyers of 550i, 540i, 530i, 535d and 530d models can opt for BMW’s all-new Automatic Sports Transmission. One press of the Sport button behind the gear lever allows shifts to be made using steering wheel mounted paddles to deliver even faster, more dynamic, changes.

Innovative Equipment

Alongside pioneering options such as Head-up Display and Night Vision, BMW 5 Series Saloon and Touring owners can now specify BMW’s latest comfort innovation – Lane Departure Warning System. A camera mounted next to the interior mirror monitors the white lines on the road ahead and, if the car crosses the line without obvious intent or without the indicator being used, the driver is notified by a vibration through the steering wheel (standard on 550i and 535d models - £350 on other models).

Customers can also now specify Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go. Previously Active Cruise Control would maintain a constant speed while monitoring the traffic ahead, and reacted to a slowing vehicle in front by slowing the BMW. With Stop and Go, the new system keeps the car a fixed distance ahead, even in slow moving stop and go traffic situations, bringing the car to a complete stop. If the period of standstill is less than three seconds, the car will resume its programmed speed (Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go costs £1,050).

Design and styling

With the car still winning accolades and new customers alike, the designers have simply evolved the details of the car’s design. At the front, the headlamps and indicator units use clear glass technology while the kidney grille now sits flush with the bumper. The air duct in the front valance has also been redesigned, while at the side the sill has an additional contour line. At the rear, the indicators, running and brake lights now use horizontal LED light bars to emphasise the width of the rear.

Inside, the changes refine ergonomic details. The door panels have been redesigned, with the window switches now integrated into the horizontal armrests. In common with other recently launched BMWs, drivers now have the benefit of eight freely programmable ‘favourite’ buttons on the dashboard enabling them to more easily access their most frequently used features such as one-touch navigation destination input, or telephone calls.

The new BMW 5 Series range starts production in March 2007, with prices ranging from £26,980 OTR (520d SE Saloon) to £49,805 OTR (550i M Sport Touring).

Engine changes and statistics in detail

The engine and performance statistics for the 5 Series Saloon range, with comparisons to the outgoing car are as follows:

• BMW 550i: Eight-cylinder petrol engine with VALVETRONIC and Bi-VANOS, 4,799cc, max output 367 hp, max torque 490 Nm, acceleration 0-62mph 5.2secs (-0.3secs), top speed 155 mph (limited electronically), average fuel consumption 25.9 mpg (-2 per cent) (automatic transmission 27.4 mpg (-4.5 per cent)).
• BMW 540i: Eight-cylinder petrol engine with VALVETRONIC and Bi-VANOS, 4,000cc, max output 306 hp, max torque 390 Nm, acceleration 0-62mph 6.1secs (-0.1secs), top speed 155 mph (limited electronically), average fuel consumption 26.9 mpg (-4.7 per cent) (automatic transmission 29.1 mpg (-7 per cent)).
• BMW 530i: Straight-six petrol engine with second-generation High Precision Direct Injection, 2,996cc, max output 272 hp (+14hp), max torque 320 Nm (+20Nm), acceleration 0–62mph 6.3secs (-0.2secs), top speed 155 mph (limited electronically), average fuel consumption 36.7 mpg (-14.3 per cent) (automatic transmission 37.7 mpg (-24 per cent)).
• BMW 525i: Straight-six petrol engine with second-generation High Precision Direct Injection, 2,996cc, max output 218 hp, max torque 270 Nm (+20Nm), acceleration 0–62mph 7.1secs (-0.4secs), top speed 154 mph (+2mph), average fuel consumption 38.2 mpg (-17.5 per cent) ) (automatic transmission 37.7 mpg (-25.3 per cent)).
• BMW 523i: Straight-six petrol engine with second-generation High Precision Direct Injection, 2,497cc, max output 190 hp (+13hp), max torque 235 Nm (+5Nm), acceleration 0–62mph 8.2secs (-0.3secs), top speed 147 mph, average fuel consumption 38.7 mpg (-16.6 per cent) ) (automatic transmission 37.7 mpg (-24 per cent)).
• BMW 535d: Straight-six diesel with common-rail fuel injection and Variable Twin Turbo, 2,993cc, max output 286 hp (+14hp), max torque 580 Nm (+20Nm), acceleration 0–62mph 6.4secs (-0.1secs), top speed 155 mph (electronically limited), average fuel consumption 41.5 mpg (-17.5 per cent).
• BMW 530d: Straight-six diesel with common-rail fuel injection and variable vane turbocharger, 2,993cc, max output 235 hp (+4hp), max torque 500 Nm, acceleration 0–62mph 6.8 seconds, top speed 155 mph, average fuel consumption 44.1 mpg (-4.5 per cent) (automatic transmission 42.8 mpg (-13.5 per cent)).
• BMW 525d: Straight-six diesel with common-rail fuel injection and variable vane turbocharger, 2,993cc, max output 197 hp (+20hp), max torque 400 Nm, acceleration 0–62mph 7.6secs (-0.5secs), top speed 147 mph (+4mph), average fuel consumption 45.6 mpg (-11.5 per cent) (automatic transmission 43.5 mpg (-21.5 per cent)).
• BMW 520d: Four-cylinder diesel with common-rail fuel injection and variable vane turbocharger, 1,995cc, max output 163 hp, max torque 340 Nm, acceleration 0–62mph 8.6 seconds, top speed 139 mph, average fuel consum¬ption 47.9 mpg (automatic transmission 40.9 mpg).

• BMW 550i: Eight-cylinder petrol engine with VALVETRONIC and Bi-VANOS, 4,799cc, max output 367 hp, max torque 490 Nm, acceleration 0–62mph 5.6secs, top speed 155 mph (limited electronically), average fuel consumption 25.2 mpg (-2.4 per cent) (automatic transmission 26.4 mpg (-5.6 per cent)).
• BMW 530i: Straight-six petrol engine with second-generation High Precision Direct Injection, 2,996cc, max output 272 hp (+14hp), max torque 320 Nm (+20Nm), acceleration 0–62mph 6.5secs (-0.2secs), top speed 155 mph (limited electronically), average fuel consumption 35.8 mpg (-16.6 per cent) (automatic transmission 36.7 mpg (-23.5 per cent)).
• BMW 525i: Straight-six petrol engine with second-generation High Precision Direct Injection, 2,996cc, max output 218 hp, max torque 270 Nm (+20Nm), acceleration 0–62mph 7.4secs (-0.4secs), top speed 151 mph (+2mph), average fuel consumption 36.7 mpg (-15.8 per cent) ) (automatic transmission 36.7 mpg (-23.6 per cent)).
• BMW 523i: Straight-six petrol engine with second-generation High Precision Direct Injection, 2,497cc, max output 190 hp (+13hp), max torque 235 Nm (+5Nm), acceleration 0–62mph 8.5secs (-0.3secs), top speed 143 mph (+2mph), average fuel consumption 36.7 mpg (-13 per cent) (automatic transmission 36.7 mpg (-23.6 per cent)).
  
• BMW 535d: Straight-six diesel with common-rail fuel injection and Variable Twin Turbo, 2,993cc, max output 286 hp (+14hp), max torque 580 Nm (+20Nm), acceleration 0–62mph 6.5secs (0.1secs), top speed 155 mph (electronically limited), average fuel consumption 40.4 mpg (-17.4 per cent).
• BMW 530d: Straight-six diesel with common-rail fuel injection and variable vane turbocharger, 2,993cc, max output 235 hp (+4hp), max torque 500 Nm, acceleration 0–62mph 6.9secs, top speed 152 mph, average fuel consum¬ption 42.8mpg (-6 per cent) (automatic transmission 41.5 mpg (-13 per cent)).
  
• BMW 525d: Straight-six diesel with common-rail fuel injection and variable vane turbocharger, 2,993cc, max output 197 hp (+20hp), max torque 400 Nm, acceleration 0–62mph 7.8secs (-0.5secs), top speed 144 mph (+4mph), average fuel consumption 44.1 mpg (-12.5 per cent) (automatic transmission 42.8 mpg (-22.6 per cent)).
  
• BMW 520d: Four-cylinder diesel with common-rail fuel injection and variable vane turbocharger, 1,995cc, max output 163 hp, max torque 340 Nm, acceleration 0–62mph 8.9secs, top speed 135 mph, average fuel consumption 46.3 mpg (automatic transmission 39.8 mpg).

Source: Internal