BMW 5 Series unveiled in Melbourne
New G30 generation of BMW's large, luxury sedan previewed ahead of global launch in DecemberBMW Australia has quietly pulled the wraps off the new, G30 generation of 5 Series at a low-key function in the prestige importer's head office in Melbourne overnight.
Just a handful of media were present for the unveiling of two cars shipped out in advance of the new model's global launch in December. The cars had also been shown to dealers during the day.
On hand to present the two pre-production cars (both in right-hand drive and said to come close to Aussie spec) was training manager and product expert Sven Arens. Arens was not at liberty to discuss the projected standard features and pricing for local-market cars, but did point out the new model's design highlights and high-tech features.
"Today we are proud to present the seventh generation of the 5 Series..." he said by way of introduction to the G30 generation.
"The most successful executive sedan ever, [the 5 Series] outsells our closest competitors; over the last five years we've outsold Audi, we've outsold Mercedes - those are our two closest competitors - by a significant amount. And we're talking at least 100,000 units a year. It still is the [benchmark] within the car market.
"Auto Motor und Sport readers in Germany have elected the current 5 Series saloon as being the best car in the mid-size... saloon-car market. And that is quite a reference for a car that was in its last year of production. We're very proud of that honour."
Key points mentioned by Arens were:
- G30 will be released in Australia in March 2017
- It is powered by the new B-generation of modular engines
- The model range at launch here will offer two four-cylinder engines and two sixes
- A plug-in hybrid will join the range subsequently
- Lightweight materials used include aluminium and magnesium, but not carbon-fibre
- Weight has been reduced by roughly 75-80kg, depending on specification
- At just under five metres long the new model is 28mm longer than the F10 model
- Boot space is 10 per cent larger by volume
- Active vent control regulates airflow through the front air intakes
- An aerodynamically effective 'breather' is located behind the front wheel-arch
- LED headlights can pick out objects up to 500m away
- Four cameras are fitted
- ConnectedDrive will reach new heights of sophistication
- Speed limit sign recognition is now sorted for Australia and will be available
- Instruments display through what is essentially flat-screen (LED) technology
- Gloss-black exterior styling details lend the new model a high-quality look
- Every 5 Series model now has at least two exhaust pipes
- BMW will offer an accessory cover for Apple iPhones for them to be charged wirelessly in the car
According to Arens, carbon fibre is too expensive for the 5 Series. And BMW's carbon-fibre production facility is working flat chat just to keep up with demand for the i3 and i8 models for the moment.
Speed limit sign recognition in Australia has been a problem for BMW in the past, but the system in the new 5 Series is linked to the navigation system and now factors in the time of day so that it can decide which speed limit applies in school zones. Furthermore, the system can now differentiate between static speed signs and those on the back of trucks.
While BMW was keeping its cards close to the chest concerning the local pricing and specification details, BMW Australia product planning manager Shawn Ticehurst did confirm that the cars brought here would be available with features pioneered by the 7 Series, such as the Display Key, remote parking and gesture control.
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