BMW has presented a string of upgrades for its new model year 5-Series sedan, Touring (station wagon) and Gran Turismo vehicles.
We will start our tour with the new multifunction instrument display that will be optionally available on all 5-Series models sans the 520d EfficientDynamics Edition ActiveHybrid 5 models. The customizable instrument panel features a 10.25-inch display with Black Panel technology.
While it retains the familiar arrangement of the conventional instrument panel comprising four round gauges, aside from the normal mode, the driver can choose from three more settings named COMFORT, ECO PRO and Sport.
These modes can be further customized in terms of colors and the information shown such as status and function displays, check control and navigation data.
The Comfort mode features a conventional layout of four closed round instruments, while in Eco Pro and Sport, the rings open up to display additional information between the two round instruments.
Furthermore, in the Eco Pro setting, the rev counter becomes an EfficientDynamics display, showing how efficiently the car is being driven, while in Sport mode, the speed is displayed digitally via a large figure, whilst the selected gear is shown in the center of the rev counter.
Starting from July, BMW will also offer a new optional Bang & Olufsen high end surround-sound system and a standard hands-free system to open the boot lid with a simple movement of the foot below the rear bumper on all 5-Series models.
In select markets, BMW will expand the range of the 5-Series Grand Turismo with the new 520d powered by a 2.0-liter turbo diesel with 181hp (184PS). The Germans have also revised the engines in the 530d GT and 550i GT models.
The 530d GT’s 3.0-liter inline-six diesel gains 13hp (14PS) and 20Nm for a total output of 255hp (258PS) and 560Nm. Despite the increase in power, the 530d GT is actually more fuel efficient returning a combined fuel consumption of 5.8lt/100km. Starting in July, it will also be possible to equip the model with the optional BluePerformance technology package for reduced emissions.
In the 550i GT, the car’s V8 turbocharged engine has been boosted by 40hp (43PS) and 50Nm to 443hp (450PS) and 650Nm dropping the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time from 5.5 seconds to just 5.0 seconds. In addition, average fuel consumption is reduced to 9.2lt/100km with CO2 emissions of 214g/km.
For the new model year, all 5-Series GT models get an Auto Start/Stop system along with a new electric power steering system and Driving Experience Control with ECO PRO mode as standard.
New optional features include the Active Protection Safety Package that tightens the seatbelt in order to eliminate slack in the event of a critical situation and a Parking Assistant system that not only parks the car itself, but also monitors the road to search for a parking spot at least 1.20 meters (about 4 feet) longer than the vehicle.
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