BMW 5.1 Series announced

BMW has announced equipment upgrades and a facelift for its 5 Series range of executive sedans and wagon. The changes comprise a midlife makeover for the car that was Australia's top selling $70,000-plus large car in 2006.

Though there have been some mechanical changes (see below), BMW is playing up the addition of "a raft of new class-leading high-tech innovations" in the 5 Series makeover. The driver aids that will now be available in the 5 Series have previously largely been the domain of the German marques' top-of-the-range models.

High tech features such as Night Vision, Active Cruise Control (with a 'Stop & Go' function) and Lane Change Warning will now join the 5's existing suite of goodies such as Active Steering, High-Beam Assist, and Head-Up Display.

The 5 Series update (pictured) also attends to criticism that the BMW's cabin was classed by some prospective customers as too austere. New door facings and a general upgrading of the materials used at 'touch points' add an extra degree of luxury, BMW sources say.

The company says in-cabin storage has also been improved.

In terms of exterior changes, the tweaks are minor. Expect a new selection of alloy wheels to be the most easily spotted change. BMW says the "sporting look" of the 5 Series Sedan Touring has been "accentuated" in the update via new "new clear glass technology" head and tail lights.

The front valance has been tweaked and there's added chrome front and rear -- not unlike the most recent update of the 7 Series.

Mechanically the 5 Series benefits from some of the updates highlighted in the recent E92 3 Series Coupe launch and X3 makeover. All new 5's benefit from a revised six-speed transmission with 40 per cent faster reaction times and swifter gearshifts now controlled by an electronic gear selector lever as seen in the new X5.

The 530i get's the 200kW version of the lightweight mag-alloy N52 inline six debuted in the X3 update, however, unlike European market 5s the rest of the engine range is unchanged.

In Europe, the 5 Series debuts BMW's new High Precision Direct Injection range of naturally-aspirated engines. Delivering claimed power and torque increases by up to 15kW and 20Nm as well as improvements in fuel economy by up to 25 per cent, all European market six-cylinder 5s feature the new power units. Alas, according to BMW Australia, high sulphur content in local unleaded petrol means the engines can not be offered here.

The Europeans get one other advantage over us Aussies -- the availability of the new M5 Touring (also pictured). Just announced, the 373kW wagon gets all the power and chassis goodies of its sedan stablemate wrapped up in a wagon body.  Though not for Oz at this stage, it sounds like just the thing for (very) fast families.

Final pricing and specification for the updated BMW 5 Series range will be announced closer to the cars' May 2007 arrival Down Under.