Getting off of Yas Marina Formula 1 raceway circuit tarmac, I can still feel my heart racing, and my adrenaline levels spiking, since test driving the 2011 BMW 5 Series was one of those experiences that I will never forget. Let me back up a little bit to get you into speed of what I am talking about.
What’s Up got an invitation to witness the unveiling of the 2011 BMW 5 Series, the event started by talking about the new direction the company is taking, and the new technologies that comes packed in the new 5 Series, stuff that makes the new 5 Series the fighter jet of automotives.
Exterior:
Before we get into the details, we should mention that this 5 Series looks like a true BMW, it captures all the aesthetics that you would expect when the word BMW crosses your mind, and looking at the images proves that.
The new sixth generation model of the 5 Series offers a longer wheelbase and a coupé-like, sleek and flowing roofline, that reflects its obvious forward-moving personality. The expressive front end of the car conveys its sporting and representative character, while the upright BMW kidney grille gives you the impression that the 5 Series is about to leap forward. On the other hand the LED light rings in the dual round headlights also accentuate the typical look of the brand from the front of the car.
Moving your eyes from the front to the sides, you will notices how your eyes are led by its precise curvature of the body surfaces which creates a smooth, calm and superior impression right from the start.
Subtle light and shadow effects become recognizable only from a shorter distance and changing perspectives, revealing the three-dimensional character of its sophisticated chiseled body panels.
As your eyes brush over that alluring body you will reach the 5 Series’ Hofmeister kick at the bottom of the C-pillar, which is another clear characteristic only found in BMW to further emphasize on the dynamic looks of the car from the side.
Arriving at the back you will notice the 5 Series extra emphasize on the sporty muscular looks, and with its L-shaped rear lights and three rows of LED lights, no one can mistake it’s a BMW, even at night.
Interior:
Stepping inside of the new BMW 5 Series, you will instantly notice how the interior of the car wraps around you. No wonder since the cockpit is inclined towards the driver at an angle of approximately 7o and the asymmetrically designed centre console likewise emphasizes this clear orientation to the driver.
The multifunction buttons on the newly developed steering wheels now also serve to operate cruise control. While the rest of the control units and switches are arranged clearly to ensure optimum readability. The 10.2 inches Control Display featured on the iDrive control system coming as standard, is integrated harmoniously in the instrument panel.
The surrounding is designed with the active businessman in mind, since you can access all the high-tech functions within an elegant ambience creating a strong impression of superior, modern style. Now let’s press the “on” button to check out the experience.
Experience:
BMW has been known for years as the Ultimate Driving Machine, well this time around the 5 Series is BMW’s Sheer Driving Pleasure in a unique style. And with all the technology available at your disposal we will take a look at what this car can do.
Since the new car has so many technologies that makes it impossible to list in one article (unless you want a 95 page article), we will list down the most important ones.
- Dynamic Drive Control now enables you of activating a pre-configured, fully harmonized set-up put together individually through appropriate adjustment of the car’s drivetrain and suspension components.
- Adaptive Drive which detects and senses the road surface in order to adapt to it on both low and high speeds.
- EPS which serves to control steering feedback from the system with particular precision, and the Integral Active Steering.
- The innovative BMW Parking Assistant, which will park your car for you by detecting available parking space that would fit the car, then taking over the process of actually parking it in.
The list of technologies that adds a lot to the new 5 Series are endless. Yet all this shows once you test drive the car for yourself.
Test Drive:
We got a chance to drive the new BMW 5 Series on Yas Marina Formula 1 raceway circuit, and we were instructed to push it to its limits. Once you get in the new 5, you will feel like you have instantly became one with the machine, since all the feedback you get from the instruments make this an exceptional experience.
Trying different setups of the 535i model that come equipped with a straight-six petrol engine and TwinPower Turbo, that pumped out 306 hp at 5,800 rpm. Some of the models we test had the Adaptive Drive option while others didn’t, so we got to feel how it makes a difference.
The first test we did was a slalom test on high speeds. The new BMW 5 Series took corners with little effort and an impressive precise grip, holding itself to the ground and taking sharp turns with ease.
After that we tried the car on the track driving over a designed circuit, to test acceleration and handling while cornering on high speeds, personally I was impressed to see how the car can take sharp 90o corners on a speed of about 120Km/h effortlessly, and reaccelerate again, thanks to it responsive powerful TwinPower Turbo straight-six engine.
The last test we made was the Parking Assistant test, you simply activate the system by clicking on a button next to you, after that you can drive normally (up to 35Km/h) as if you’re looking for a suitable parking spot. As soon as the system detects a spot, either on the left or right sides of the road it will inform you on the iDrive screen that there is a parking spot available, you select the side by pointing with the iDrive controller, and lift your hands off the steering wheel, where the car will takeover and steer its way into the parking spot. We tested the car three times and worked flawlessly.
Safety:
The new 5 Series offer many safety standard options like the Head-Up Display that presents important information directly in your field of vision, side-view camera system that enables you to view side traffic while taking corners, It also offers:
- The first ever overhead surround view.
- Collision warning with brake activation function combined with Active Cruise Control and Stop & Go.
- Lane Change Warning monitoring traffic approaching from behind.
- Lane Departure Warning: camera-based system warning the driver from unintended lane departure even in the dark.
- BMW Night Vision to detect individual pedestrians.
- Optimum visibility: bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime driving lights and Adaptive Headlights with variable light distribution.
Add to that a long list of high-tech safety features that will keep occupants and nearby pedestrians safe under nearly any driving circumstances.
What’s Up Conclusion:
The 2011 BMW 5 Series marks the birth of sixth generation, which naturally follows the great heritage of its predecessors, its roots go back much further. As early as in the 1960s.
It is released in the Middle East in four main models, 550i powered by a V8 with BMW TwinPower Turbo. The 535i which is powered by the straight-six with BMW TwinPower Turbo, and both a 528i, and a 523i which offers a straight-six power units featuring High Precision Injection.
Overall the new 5 Series feels great, and gives you the pleasure of enjoying driving, being true to BMW’s motto “Sheer Driving Pleasure”, since everything in this new car syncs with you by delivering the perfect symbiosis of aesthetic design and dynamic performance. I enjoyed every second spent driving it, that I’am even thinking of buying one.
You can pay Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors a visit to book your test-drive to experience the sensation you will get from the 2011 BMW 5 Series
LOCATION: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Showroom
Leave a Reply