Essential Motoring 101

Although this piece may not be the hottest story in town but I must emphasize on what BMW have done to its best-selling luxury car - the new 5 series. I’m no rich guy to afford such a beauty, heck, I haven’t even driven a BMW before but this refined 5 series, as introduced by BMW Malaysia’s Managing Director, Mr Wolfgang Schlimme, has been enhanced in its functionality and styling.

During the media launch of the new 5 series at its headquarters in Cyberjaya 2 weeks ago, I had the chance to get on a (stationary) 5 series and check out what was all the enhancements about. Being unfamiliar with the details of the previous 5 series, one item at the cockpit caught my attention - a futuristic handle looked like a the one of a jetfighter. It was actually the gear handle of the 5 series. I am not sure how it works while driving but for sure, the freedom of switching from automatic to manual transmission should be the standard function..

Of course, the multi-function iDrive knob is still at its usual place but this time packs more features in its function. The cockpit feels like taking on a jetfighter with a steering wheel! . Adding more feel to it would be its HUD (Heads Up Display) system which was a standard feature on the 7 series is now being offered in the 525i Sports version. It displays data such as speed, navigation directions, and other essential info. A cool safety feature to maintain full sight on the road for the driver without moving an eye ball.

Besides boasting a jetfighter setting, the 5 series are now equipped with Night Vision cameras. It is an infrared technology that helps drivers to scan the horizon during poor lighting for any road obstructions such as human crossing or anything that comes into way. This feature is available in the 540i and 530i variants.

I would not go further on the technical aspect of the 5 series’ powerplants though. The enhancements on the exterior were not obvious. But if you look closely into the headlights of the 5 series, the owl-like ‘eyebrows’ now sports a different colour. Unlike the earlier 5 series, the eyebrows are now consists of clear LEDs within the same curve line. Personally, I would prefer the orange one as it looks more contrasting with the silver-themed headlights.

At the rear, the brake lamps have been replaced with more LEDs. Instead of a ‘block’ of lights, the rear lamps now are styled using LEDs, arranged in an array of wavy lines. Rather cool looking I must say but as long as it is easily viewable by other road users, I have nothing to complain.

The new5 series comes with new designs on the wheels. A more sportier set of rims are now fitted into the cars.

All in all, I would say the guys with some extra money to spend would find the new 5 series worth every sen(se) of the new beautiful beast. More details of pricing can be found HERE, courtesy of Star-Motoring.com