Next BMW 5 Series offers more than its new look

Right after plenty of leaked photos and teasers, BMW has finally revealed its seventh-generation 5 Series, which has a lot more to offer than its new look.

Set to rival the E-Class, the model uses high-strength steel, aluminium and magnesium, thus resulting in a much lighter model.

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As much as we have expected, the new 5’s design is more evolutionary than revolutionary. Obtaining much of its styling cues, such as elongated headlights, chrome-framed kidney grille from the 3 and 7 Series.

For better aerodynamics, the kidneys now feature active slats that close when necessary.

For buyers who want more style, the optional M Sport package adds larger air intakes to the front fascia, new side skirt trim, and a tweaked rear bumper with rectangular exhaust tips. The lowered suspension and 19-inch wheels give the vehicle a sportier appearance too.

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The 2017 model grows 3.05cm longer overall from last year, and the wheelbase increases by just 5.08cm. The extra length means an extra 3.05cm of legroom for rear occupants. Width increases by only 7.62mm, and the model is 1,524cm taller than the outgoing 5 Series.

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BMW is launching the car with two new powertrains. Both use an eight-speed automatic gearbox and are optionally available with xDrive all-wheel drive.

The 530i features a revised 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 185 kW and 349 Nm of torque – versus 179 kW 353 Nm from the current 528i, which it replaces. The mill sprints the sedan to 100km/h in 6.0 seconds, or 5.8 seconds with xDrive.

The range-topping engine for now is the 540i, using a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 250 kW and 450 Nm, compared to 224 kW and 407 Nm in the current 535i. It gets to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive or 4.7 seconds with all-wheel drive.

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The brand’s (again optional) Remote Parking system has also found its way into the 5 Series, allowing the car to be manoeuvred into tight parking spaces remotely using the car key.

The lower weight and new chassis tech should improve the 5 Series’ handling. For example, the optional Adaptive Drive system includes updated Dynamic Damper Control. The system now adjusts the anti-roll bars with electric motors that are faster and lighter than the previous hydraulic actuators. The company’s rear-wheel steering setup, which it calls Integral Active Steering, is available on all-wheel-drive models of the seventh-gen 5 Series, too.

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The combination of Active Lane Keeping Assistant and Traffic Jam Assistant gives the 5 Series semi-autonomous driving capability.

The tech automatically keeps the sedan in a single lane and can even cope with stop-and-go traffic. While drivers’ hands are free, they can use the iDrive 6.0 infotainment system that now features gesture control, a function introduced on the 7 Series sedan.

The 2017 BMW 5 Series goes on sale in 2017 and we should find out more about pricing closer to its launch date.