Easily one of the more controversial debuts this year came in form of the BMW 5-Series GT. Some loved it, some hated it but most said it drove fantastically well. What do you expect when it is based off of a 7-Series, duh.
But, there is a little problem; it has not been selling like hotcakes. After speaking to several New York Tri-State dealers within the past week about the all-new 2011 5-Series, they all agreed that the 5-Series GT was a miss.
Without a six-cylinder powerplant and lacking all-wheel drive, the car is just not going to move in the northeast. Remember, the NY Tri-State area is a large market for BMW.
Although that is not good news, it only gets worse. WIth the release of the photos of the all-new 5-Series wagon, it makes the questionable styling of the GT seem like it stepped out of Ripley's.
I mean, let's be real, the new 5'er wagon looks sensational.
Granted, the wagon market in the U.S. has always been challenging, it seems that a lot of other manufacturers are still playing in it and if they aren't now, they will be soon.
So I have to ask, are we missing out by not receiving the 2011 5-Series wagon or did BMW make the right decision?BMW's press release follows:The new BMW 5 Series Touring is the perfect symbiosis of driving pleasure, efficiency, versatility and sporting elegance. The 4th generation of the Business Touring convinces through powerful design aesthetics, modern premium-level functionality and brand-typical driving dynamics combined with exemplary efficiency. Extensive comfort and safety features, which include numerous BMW-exclusive driver assistance systems, substantiate the outstanding qualities of the new BMW 5 Series Touring as an upper midrange touring car. Design: individual styling, sporting elegance.
The design of the new BMW 5 Series Touring is characterised by a high level of individuality with regard to its proportions and surface design. Its uniqueness is reflected by dynamic and powerful looks. With its long bonnet, short overhangs, the longest wheelbase in its segment, the stretched silhouette and a steeply inclined roofline, the new BMW 5 Series Touring possesses an elegance unrivalled by its competitors.
Versatility: intelligent solutions for modern functionality.
Thanks to a multi-functional interior and intelligent detail solutions, the new BMW 5 Series Touring is fully equipped to meet the most diverse demands. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 560 litres. If desired, an increase in capacity to a maximum of 1,670 litres is guaranteed by 40 : 20 : 40 split folding rear seats, which are unique in this segment. The backrest angle is variable by up to 11 degrees. The backrest can be folded down using two control levers inside the luggage compartment, the loading space cover of which is automatically lowered when the tailgate is closed. The separately opening rear window automatically swings upwards at the push of a button.
The driving experience: supreme dynamics and outstanding comfort.
The most advanced drivetrain and suspension technologies ensure supreme sportiness and a higher level of motoring comfort. Optional Dynamic Driving Control enables drivers to set the suspension individually to their personal requirements. The new BMW 5 Series Touring features as standard pneumatic suspension on the rear axle, including automatic self-levelling. Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering are optionally available.
The new BMW 5 Series Touring is making its debut with a choice of two straight-six petrol engines as well as a four-cylinder and a six-cylinder diesel. The BMW 520d Touring is powered by a 135 kW/184 bhp four-cylinder turbo diesel power unit featuring an aluminium crankcase and Common Rail direct injection. It is equipped with Auto Start Stop function as a standard feature, and with an average fuel consumption of 5.1 litres/100km (55.4 mpg) and a CO2 emission level of 135 g/km in an EU test cycle, it achieves the best efficiency in its segment.
The straight-six engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo under the bonnet of the BMW 535i Touring, with High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC, develops a power output of 225 kW/306 bhp. Maximum power output of the straight-six engine featured in the BMW 523i Touring in lean operation is 150 kW/204 bhp. The BMW 530d Touring features a straight six-cylinder diesel with a 180 kW/245 bhp output. Thanks to BMW BluePerformance technology it fulfils the EU6 emission standard. All versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring fully comply with the EU5 requirement.
BMW EfficientDynamics: BMW 5 Series increases the lead even further.
All versions of the new BMW 5 Series Touring are optionally available with BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Like the electro-mechanical power steering EPS utilised on all variants, it makes an additional contribution towards efficiency. Depending on the model, the standard BMW EfficientDynamics measures comprise brake energy regeneration, Auto Start Stop function (BMW 520d), gearshift point indicator, demand-dependant ancillary components and active air flap control. An intelligent lightweight construction is obtained through doors, bonnet, front side panels, drivetrain and suspension components made of aluminium.
Innovative driver assistance systems by BMW ConnectedDrive.
The spectrum of features offered by BMW ConnectedDrive comprises,
inter alia, a Parking Assistant, Surround View, collision warning with brake activation in conjunction with Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Info, High-beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision with detection of persons as well as Head-up Display. Furthermore, innovative office functions can be utilised via Bluetooth.
Joint development and production together with the BMW 7 Series.
The BMW 5 Series Touring is based on a newly developed vehicle architecture also used for the BMW 7 Series luxury sedans. Joint production of the BMW 5 Series Touring, the BMW 5 Series Sedan, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and the BMW 7 Series at the BMW Dingolfing Plant, combined with the extensive use of shared components, ensures highly efficient production incorporating maximum possible quality standards.
[Source: BMWBlog]
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