On Test: The BMW 520d M Sport. A real stand out.

More dynamic than ever, featuring a wealth of digital innovations. It’s the worlds’ most successful business sedan and takes the lead on the road to sustainable premium mobility in the upper mid-range vehicle segment. I spent a week with the M Sport 520d. Yes, it’s bold. Sheer driving pleasure with a sleek and modern design, enough to capture anyone’s attention. It has a really striking presence But it is also quite big and very spacious. And from a full tank of diesel, I managed to obtain just over 800kms on all sorts of roads. The controls in the cockpit are very easily manageable and the ride quality is out of the top draw. Ultra-smooth and very quiet. Plenty of power to literally surge forward and stopping power to match.    

Image: Naresh Maharaj

 

Sheer Driving Pleasure

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan offers ideal conditions for enjoying hallmark BMW driving pleasure in everyday traffic and a high level of comfort on long-distance journeys. Generous space, modern functionality, a high level of acoustic comfort, as well as high-quality, precisely processed materials, fine workmanship and advanced digital services characterise the ambience in its interior.

The cockpit of the new BMW 5 Series has a significantly reduced number of buttons and controls compared to the predecessor model. This is achieved by consistently digitalising functions. The BMW Curved Display reinterprets the brand's hallmark idea of driver orientation. The fully digital display system consists of a 12.3-inch Information Display and a 14.9-inch Control Display. The steering wheel has also been redesigned with a flattened lower section and haptic feedback on the control panels, and the selector lever on the centre console.

 

Elegantly Sporting

Compared to the predecessor model, the new edition has grown in length by 97 millimetres to 5,060 millimetres, in width by 32 millimetres to 1,900 millimetres and in height by 36 millimetres to 1,515 millimetres. Its wheelbase was lengthened by 20 millimetres to 2,995 millimetres.

Image: Naresh Maharaj

The front view of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan is characterised by a modern interpretation of the twin headlights and BMW kidney grille. LED elements arranged almost vertically serve as turn indicators and daytime driving lights. The BMW kidney grille, which projects far forward, features a wide surround and optional BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting.

 

 

Fully vegan interior

Newly designed sports seats are standard equipment. The optional comfort seats offer a wide range of electrically operated adjustment options. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is the brand's first model to feature a fully vegan interior as standard. This includes the surfaces of the seats, the dashboard and the door panels, as well as the steering wheel for the first time. The seat surfaces in the Veganza version with leather-like properties are also optionally available with a decorative perforation.

 

New petrol and diesel engines with 48-volt mild hybrid technology.

The diesel engine is from the new modular generation of BMW Group Efficient Dynamics. BMW has re-introduced the diesel derivative in SA. Combined fuel consumption was a modest 5.6l per 100kms. The drive is from the rear wheels. Total power is 145kW with 400Nm of torque.   

 

World First

As a world first, the system in the new BMW 5 Series now also includes the Active Lane Change Assistant with eye activation. This comfort feature now achieves a new level of interaction between the driver and the vehicle. 

The vehicle suggests a lane change and this can be carried out for the first time by looking in the exterior mirror to confirm the lane change. The Active Lane Change Assistant takes over the necessary steering movements automatically, the traffic situation permitting.

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is equipped with Parking Assistant, including Reversing Assist, as standard. With the optional Parking Assistant Professional, automated parking and manoeuvring of up to 200 metres can be controlled in the vehicle or by smartphone outside the vehicle.

Image: Naresh Maharaj

Verdict

Everything about the new 5 series is typical BMW. Good looks and the drive absolutely smooth. Instant power in the diesel edition was impressive. The interior with sports seats was very comfortable indeed. It’s a well-appointed business sedan that is a pure stand out. And with it comes Sheer Driving Pleasure from one of the worlds most iconic vehicle brand.

Price

BMW 520d R1,248 731