BMW has launched the new, fourth generation BMW 5 Series Touring. The BMW 5 Series Touring combines typical BMW characteristics with space and versitility.
BMW claim it combines the comfort, versatility and practicality of a premium SAV with the hallmark driving dynamics, performance and efficiency of BMW’s 5 Series Sedan, the new BMW 5 Series Touring offers an intelligent alternative for versatile, luxurious transportation.
The new 5 Series Touring is available in two models with the Manufacturer Recommended List Price for the entry-level 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel 520d Touring starting at $92,800.
With its high performance 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo straight six cylinder petrol engine, the top-of-the-range 535i Touring is priced from $138,900. Both models feature an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. In the case of the 535i Touring, this takes the form of an eight-speed sports automatic transmission.
Design: sleek sporting exterior, spacious versatile interior
With its short front overhang, long bonnet and gently sloping roofline topped by satin aluminium roof rails tapering to the rear tailgate, the 5 Series Touring delivers a sporting and elegant aesthetic. The trademark BMW styling cues including a wide kidney grille, dual round headlights, strong side contour lines and rear L-shaped taillights give the car an instantly recognisable appearance while its broad low stance provides a powerful presence on the road.
The interior design of the new BMW 5 Series Touring clearly brings out the active character of the car with its clever details and premium nature showcased through the use of high quality, luxurious materials.
Across the front, the elegant asymmetrical dash is inclined towards the driver at an angle of approximately 7 degrees to ensure all controls and functions are placed for quick and easy reference. A keyless start/stop button sits prominently on the dash enabling the driver to keep the remote key fob in the pocket or a handbag and the new multi-function steering wheel offers greater functionality incorporating both cruise control and audio/phone controls.
With the longest wheelbase in its class measuring 2968mm and an overall length of 4907mm, the BMW 5 Series Touring offers a vast amount of interior space with flexible seating for five occupants and a large carpeted rear luggage space.
In order to offer the greatest degree of versatility in its carrying capacity, the rear seat back splits and folds individually in three 40/20/40 sections providing a luggage capacity that ranges from 560 litres to 1670 litres.
To further enhance this flexibility, the rear seat backs can also be adjusted through 11 degrees in seven separate increments, which increases luggage capacity by 30 litres, while the rear tailgate with its low-loading sill offers a separately opening rear window to allow quick and easy access to the luggage compartment. The window and tailgate can both be opened using the remote control and on the 535i Touring, the tailgate is fully electrically operated.
Both models also feature a luggage cover as standard that is automatically raised when the tailgate or rear window are opened, full length floor rails with adjustable eyelets, and a luggage net.
The 5 Series Touring is available in Black or Alpine White or a choice of 11 other metallic exterior colours (non-cost option for 535i). Inside, the standard fine Dakota leather interior upholstery is offered in a choice of six colours with the optional Exclusive Nappa leather with extended contents available in a choice of Black or Oyster/Black.
Likewise, there is a range of non-cost trim options including high-gloss black, three different types of wood or Fine Brushed Aluminium.
To further enhance the sporting visual and dynamic appeal of the 5 Series Touring, a full M Sport Package is optionally available on both models that includes 18-inch double spoke alloy wheels and complete M Aerodynamics Package, Sports Seats, M leather steering wheel and interior trim highlights, and a lowered sports suspension (which can be deleted as a non-cost option). Furthermore, the package comprises BMW individual High-Gloss Shadow-Line and Roof Rails High-Gloss Shadow-Line and BMW Roofline Anthracite.
Powertrain and dynamics: efficient, high performance driving pleasure
The new 5 Series Touring is offered with a choice of either a fuel-efficient and torquey 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine or the new 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine.
Powering the top-of-the-range 535i Touring, the petrol engine was first introduced in Australia in the 5 Series Gran Turismo and combines High Precision Injection and fully variable VALVETRONIC valve control to produce a maximum output of 225kW at 5800rpm and peak torque of 400Nm from a low 1200rpm right through to 5000rpm.
Mated to the standard eight-speed Sports Automatic transmission complete with steering wheel mounted paddle shifts, the engine enables the 535i to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 6.1 seconds while offering combined EU fuel consumption figure of 8.5l/100km with CO2 emissions of 197g/km.
For even greater efficiency, the 520d Touring is driven by the latest generation BMW 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that combines common rail direct fuel injection and a variable geometry turbocharger to produce a maximum power of 135kW at 4000rpm and peak torque of 380Nm between 1750rpm and 2750rpm. Combined fuel consumption is an extremely low 5.3l/100km while CO2 emissions are just 139g/km. Mated to the standard eight-speed Automatic Transmission (the Sports Automatic transmission is optionally available), the 520d can cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.3 seconds.
Both models share the same sophisticated all-aluminium double wishbone front suspension and Integral V rear axle with the BMW 5 Series Sedan to ensure the optimum balance of ride comfort and handling. Given its larger load capacity, the 5 Series Touring also features a standard self-levelling air suspension on the rear that immediately takes account of, and compensates for, changes in load to provide a constant vehicle height under all driving and load conditions.
To further enhance the driving pleasure, the 535i Touring is also fitted standard with BMW’s Dynamic Driving Control that offers three modes of operation – Normal, Sport and Sport+ – that enable the driver to adjust steering, throttle, transmission and DSC responses according to their needs or the road conditions.
Dynamic Driving Control becomes standard on the 520d Touring when it is fitted with the optional Sports Automatic transmission, Integral Active Steering or Dynamic Damper Control. Dynamic Damper Control adds a fourth Comfort mode of adjustment for the Dynamic Driving Control through the addition of electronically controlled continuously variable damping.
The 535i Touring is able to take this level of control even further with the optional Adaptive Drive that combines Dynamic Damper Control with a Dynamic Drive stability management that acts on both front and rear anti-roll bars to quickly and precisely build up appropriate counter forces during cornering.
To further aid the high-speed agility and comfort and low speed manoeuvrability of the new BMW 5 Series Touring, both models can be fitted with the innovative Integral Active Steering that builds upon the efficiency of the standard electric power steering and not only controls the front wheels but also offers active rear wheel steering to an angle up to 2.5 degrees.
Outstanding grip and stopping power is assured with the 520d fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels with 18-inch alloys on the 535i while the large vented disc brakes on both models are assisted by electronic systems including Antilock Braking System with Cornering Brake Control and Brake Assist and Dynamic Stability Control.
BMW EfficientDynamics: Performance without sacrifice
BMW’s award-winning EfficientDynamics technology strategy sees the BMW 5 Series touring equipped with a range of innovative measures to reduce fuel consumption while enhancing performance. Both the 520d Touring and 535i feature Active Air Vent Control, Electric Power Steering and Brake Energy Regeneration as standard features. The 520d Touring also comes standard on low rolling-resistance tyres.
Comfort, convenience and safety: luxury features for supreme comfort
The BMW 5 Series Touring is generously equipped for comfort with standard luxury features on both models including dual zone climate control, power operated windows and heated exterior mirrors, fine Dakota leather upholstery, keyless start, electric front seat adjustment (four-way for 520d and full adjustment with lumbar support and driver seat memory for 535i), front and rear foglights, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, Bluetooth connectivity, iDrive controller with eight favourites buttons, BMW Navigation Business system with 7-inch display screen, and BMW Professional audio system with digital AM/FM radio, single slot CD player, six loudspeakers and both auxiliary and USB inputs for connecting an external personal audio player such as an iPod.
In addition to these features, the top-of-the-range 535i Touring gains Adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights with High-Beam Assist, sun blinds for the rear side windows, Comfort Access system, and an upgraded HiFi loudspeaker system with 12 speakers and a 205-watt power amplifier. It also receives a sports leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles, 18” alloy wheels, automatic tailgate-operation, ambient lighting and two-zone aircondtioning with extended features.
To ensure safe and convenient motoring both models feature an extensive array of driver assistance systems including cruise control with braking function, Head-Up Display, front and rear Park Distance Control, Rear View Camera and Parking Assistant as standard.
This latter feature is unique in its class and is designed to assist drivers with parallel parking manoeuvres. Operating at speeds up to 35km/h, the system uses ultrasound sensors integrated into the side indicator surrounds to measure the length of possible parking spaces along the side of the road. Once it detects a space that exceeds the car length by at least 1.2m, it informs the driver with an audible and visual signal. From this point on, all the driver has to do is operate the accelerator and brake pedals while the Parking Assistant moves the steering wheel to reverse precisely into the space available.
As a BMW, the 5 Series Touring is also standard with a full complement of passive safety features including driver and front passenger front and side airbags and full length side curtain airbags, active front head restraints and five three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners and belt force limiters on the front seats.
Like all BMWs, the 5 Series Touring can also be personalised to a high degree with an extensive selection of options. Enhanced driver assistance is offered with such innovative features as Surround View cameras, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Change Warning and Lane Departure Warning, BMW Night Vision and Speed Limit Info.
BMW’s Speed Limit Info is a world first technology that uses a camera fitted near the rear vision mirror to permanently monitor road speed signs – including variable speed limits – that are then displayed in the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display to warn drivers of the current speed limit.
Further communications and entertainment options include genuine internet access that is gained through a compatible mobile phone then transferred to the vehicle’s display system via Bluetooth, upgraded audio and navigation systems, TV function for the on-board monitor, Voice Control for audio and phone functions, six-disc DVD changer and rear DVD entertainment systems.
BMW 5 Series Touring Australian Pricing:
BMW 520d Touring – $92,800*
BMW 335i Touring – $138,900*
*Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price is shown and includes GST and Luxury Car Tax (LCT) but excludes dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road charges which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing inquiries.
