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| Monday, 29 September 2003 |
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Business | |
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The all new BMW 5 Series - The Face in the Crowd Lester Jansz reporting from Malaysia This really is an impressive newcomer at first sight: The very first time you behold and admire the sporting, elegant and powerful-looking body of the new BMW 5 Series, you will immediately appreciate this dynamic representative of the BMW business class. And you will experience this dynamism on the road through the sophisticated overall concept of innovative technologies including a brand-new, weight-saving aluminum/steel bodywork structure. BMW last week press-launched their latest state-of-the art BMW 5 Series in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Over 110 journalists from around the world participated in this press launch. To get the best driving experience journalists were divided into four groups. The journalists were given separate workshops on Heads Up Display (HUD), Active Front Steering and some extraordinary stunt driving with motoring champion Ringo Chong. Active Front Steering The Active Front Steering (AFS) system will only be available as part of a Sport package that also includes Active Roll Stabilization (hydraulic anti-roll bars that counteract body roll up to 0.30 g), stiffer springs and shock absorbers, and Bridgestone run-flat tires. AFS aims to provide both go-kart-quick steering (1.7 turns lock-to-lock) at low speeds and a highly stable, languid (five turns) helm at autobahn velocities. Masterminded electronically, this sophisticated system varies the steering transmission ratio under normal driving conditions at low and medium road speeds, making the steering more direct, reducing the steering effort, and thus significantly enhancing the car's agile performance in city traffic, when parking and in bends.
Our first exposure to AFS was on a low-speed at the Sepang Race Circuit. Even in tight 300-degree turns and a closely spaced slalom, our hands never had to leave the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. On the highway at 150 kmph the car felt rock solid and immune to sneeze-induced lane changes. One senses the invisible hand of electronic assistance, but in most manoeuvres that occur at relatively constant speeds it behaves predictably and appropriately while transmitting the quivers, twitches, and effort changes that describe road-surface conditions. AFS only feels weird during manoeuvres that involve big changes in speed, such as deep decreasing-radius turns that require a lot of braking, which result in an unnatural gain in steering angle. We'll need more seat time to rule conclusively on AFS, but we're optimistic. Head Up Display The head-up display also featured in a BMW for the first time makes a significant contribution to active safety by presenting information relevant to the driver in his direct line of vision. A further advantage is that the driver can determine himself at any time what information is to be presented on the windscreen, for example his road speed and/or navigation instructions. With its cockpit based on BMW's iDrive philosophy, the new 5 Series is taking on a pioneering role in its class in driver-oriented ergonomics: Most functions essential for motoring are within the driver's immediate reach on or around the steering wheel. All other settings, functions and services are masterminded smoothly and efficiently by the driver or front passenger using the Controller and Control Display specially modified for the 5 Series - as an example, this control system is now featured for the first time together with a gearshift lever in the middle. Dual headlights with a new character The front end marks the starting point of the 5 Series' innovative design. The most striking highlight is provided by the two dual headlights which, through their special look, give the new 5 Series its unmistakable character. Introducing adaptive headlights, BMW is offering yet another networked system in the new 5 Series as an option: With this system, the two bi-xenon headlights are controlled in real time as a function of the steering wheel angle, yaw rate and road speed, perfectly illuminating the road ahead in a bend. Styling features Features such as the additional lines in the engine compartment lid extending from the kidney grille to the A-pillars enhance the impression of light and nimble superiority. The characteristic double kidney grille is larger than on the former model and, through its sporting and dynamic look, clearly accentuates the front end of the car. The integrated front spoiler and the air intake scoop, in turn, enhance the car's powerful and dynamic flair. Engines All of the BMW's engines interact perfectly with six-speed transmissions enabling the driver to transform the power of the engine into actual drive power on the road with maximum efficiency, whether with a manual gearbox or with automatic transmission. This supreme harmony is also ensured by features such as the light-alloy propeller shaft, the differential matched individually to each engine, and the wheel drive shafts reduced for minimum weight Six-cylinder spark ignition power units. Sharing a common foundation, the spark ignition power units in the 520i and 530i are acknowledged worldwide as benchmarks in six-cylinder engine technology: Benefitting from the exceptional smoothness and refinement of these straight-six engines combined with bi-VANOS technology (variable adjustment of the intake and exhaust camshafts), the driver of the 5 Series enjoys turbine-like power and performance throughout a broad range of engine speed. At the same time the customer benefits from superior fuel economy combined with low emissions. This leadership is attributable to a whole range of convincing achievements in technology: Four-valve technology for superior cylinder management, a resonance intake manifold, adaptive knock control, and individual coils have been standard features on BMW six-cylinder power units for a long time. Added to this there is bi-VANOS, the world's first infinite camshaft adjustment serving to move the opening and closing points of the intake and outlet camshafts smoothly from "retard" to "advance" and vice versa. With the 530d, BMW now offers a genuine power diesel in the executive class: The straight-six diesel within the engine compartment so far only available in the 7 Series with this kind of power and performance is one of the most powerful high-performance six-cylinder diesel engines in the world. This represents an increase in output by well over 12 per cent and a boost in torque by 22 per cent over the previous model. Together with the introduction of six-speed transmission and the wide range of weight-reducing improvements, this extra power serves to shorten the time required for accelerating from 0-100 kilometres/h by 0.7 seconds to 7.1 (7.3) seconds and to increase top speed by 15 (13) kilometres/h to 245 (243) kilometres/h or 152 (151) mph. At the same time fuel consumption is down by 0.2 (0.5) litres to 6.9 (7.8) litres/100 kilometres or 40.9 (36.2) mpg Imp in the EU combined cycle (figures in brackets for automatic transmission). This exemplary combination of superior output and torque with equally superior fuel efficiency and unparalleled refinement is based on the straight-six design principle featuring second-generation common rail fuel injection. Transmissions Engine power in all new 5 Series Saloons is transmitted to the wheels by six-speed transmission - either by a manual gearbox or by automatic transmission. The newly developed manual gearbox gives the driver five benefits in one: even more dynamic power, superior economy and comfort combined with a smooth and simple gearshift, as well as optimum precision when shifting gears. Sixth gear increases the overall range of gear increments and allows the driver to capitalise on engine power both when accelerating and at top speed. The gear increments vary according to the engine, the 520i and 530i each reaching their top speed in fifth gear. Then, shifting to the highest gear, engine speeds are reduced and the engine becomes quieter, with road speed slightly decreasing. Sixth gear therefore serves as an overdrive or economy gear in the spark ignition models, whilst in the 530d it is the "fastest" gear giving the car its top speed, since here the focus in the development process was on superior performance. As precise and smooth as it already was, the previous gearshift has been thoroughly upgraded and enhanced to provide an even more comfortable and precise experience of shifting gears. In conjunction with automatic transmission the 5 Series now also features BMW's comfort start function requiring only a short start signal from the ignition key to trigger the largely automatic starting process. Construction In search of the best and most intelligent combination of materials, the new BMW 5 Series is the first car in the world to feature a Lightweight Aluminium Front End (LAFE) as standard. This combination of various aluminium and steel materials is only possible with the help of the most sophisticated and elaborate joining processes and technologies developed by BMW's engineers to ensure optimum connections with supreme precision: Depending on load conditions and the material used, the various LAFE components are bonded, riveted, welded or joined by special laser technology. The All New BMW 5 Series IN A NUTSHELL For: Style and luxury, great handling and ride comfort, performance and refinement Minus: Nothing really! Verdict: Mature and handsome Executive Express Projected fuel economy (530i): European urban cycle: 17 mpg extra-urban cycle: 31-34 mpg combined cycle: 24-25 mpg |
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Produced by Lake House |
At high speeds, the steering becomes more indirect and thus provides
superior directional stability and a very good, docile steering response.
Networked to DSC Dynamic Stability Control, Active Front Steering is able
to intervene as soon as the car starts to become unstable by monitoring
the yaw rate and changing the steering angle accordingly. This reduces the
number of DSC interventions at the lower end of the control range and thus
offers optimum control comfort for the driver and his passengers.
