BMW has unveiled its brand new 5-series sports saloon. And it’s certainly a less controversial car than the one it replaces. The looks are a tad subdued, aren’t they?
 
Not that the new Five’s styling holds any surprises. It possesses the usual array of cues from the rest of the range – a mix of 3- and 7-series in shape, some Z4 up front, and links to the recently launched 5-series GT throughout – and takes the Five back to its more subtle days. Although the shot showing all six generations of the car just highlights how well the first four have aged…
 
Under the bonnet, there’ll be three diesels and four petrols from launch. Those of the oil-burning persuasion can pick from a 181bhp 520d, 201bhp 525d or 242bhp 530d. The latter offers an exceedingly healthy 398lb ft of torque and a hot hatch beating 6.3sec 0-62mph time alongside 45mpg economy.
 
Petrol-wise you can choose from a 201bhp 523i, 254bhp 528i, 302bhp 535i and a mighty £50K range-topper, the 4.4-litre V8, 401bhp, 443lb ft 550i. It comes as standard with an eight-speed automatic gearbox from the 7-series, which is an option across the rest of the 5-series range.
 
BMW predicts the range kick-off point – the 520d – to be the biggest seller in the UK, with its 2-litre common-rail turbodiesel offering a handy mix of performance and economy. It emits less CO2 than a Fiat Panda 1.2 (132g/km), for instance.
 
There’s the usual caboodle of technology offered, too, the most intriguing being DDC (Drive Dynamic Control). It allows maximum degrees of fiddling with the steering assistance, throttle response, gearbox, dampers and stability control interference.
 
A wealthy options list also includes self-parking tech, four-wheel active steering, surround view (a collection of cameras around the car to offer an on-screen 360 degree display when parking) and night vision with pedestrian recognition.
 
Minus all that, it’s still the most lavishly equipped 5-series yet but kicks off at little more than the car it replaces, with the 520d SE starting at £27,555, the 523i SE petrol costing £30,560 and the 550i SE setting you back £49,440 sans pricey options. Sales begin in March 2010.
 
And a new M5? No official news as yet, but expect one by 2011 with a twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet rather than the current car’s 500bhp ten-cylinder unit. Yep, a forced induction M car. Let us know your thoughts on that in the evo Forum.
 
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