Faster, more economical and even more practical – the new 5 Series presents its Touring credentials and two-stage turbocharging derivatives.
Choice of four engines and three six-speed transmissions: Six- and 8-cylinder petrol engines displacing 2.5 and 4.4 liters, 2.5- and 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engines featuring particle filters and complying with the EU4 emission standard, choice of both manual, sequential and automatic six-speed transmissions.
All-aluminium chassis and suspension with self-levelling, Active Steering, Dynamic Drive, DSC with DTC, runflat tyres, and Tyre Defect Indicator.
Larger, variable luggage compartment with spare lid opening automatically, Soft Close Automatic, and rear window opening separately.
Intelligent lightweight construction with aluminium/steel body, extra space, lower weight, passive safety of the highest standard, large panorama glass roof.
iDrive control system with enhanced voice control, Head-Up Display, Active Cruise Control, Adaptive Headlights with bi-xenon beams and two-stage brake lights (Brake Force Display).
Entering the market in mid-May, the third generation of the BMW 5 Series Sports Wagon will be opening up a new dimension in the balance of sporting performance, superior comfort, extra space, and supreme function. This makes the elegant 5 Series Sports Wagon the ideal car for business, family and leisure-time requirements. Either as standard or as an option, the Sports Wagon comes with all the innovations, technical highlights and safety features of the 5 Series Sedan such as Active Steering, Dynamic Drive, the Head-Up Display, as well as Adaptive Headlights, etc. And compared with its predecessor, it also has a larger and even more variable luggage compartment with comfortable access through the rear lid for the first time opening automatically by remote control.
Sporting elegance and unique design all in one.
With its exceptional design, form and styling, the new BMW 5 Series Sports Wagon offers a perfect balance of powerful dynamism and refined presence. It interprets BMW’s new design language in an individual and elegant manner, appearing lighter but at the same time more muscular and striking than its predecessor despite the increase in size and proportions.
The side-line of the car running smoothly from the front end all the way to the tail lights enhances the elegant character of the 5 Series Sports Wagon further accentuated by the almost coupé-like roof line tapering down slightly to the rear. The sporting standard and character of the new BMW 5 Series Sports Wagon also comes out through the special design of the rear end consciously taking up styling elements from the Sedan. Extension of the rear lid joint into the side panel creates an even greater impression of width and power more typical of a sports car than of an estate.
In a nutshell, therefore, the new 5 Series Sports Wagon is a classic 5 Series which, through its functions and versatility, offers additional dimensions for business, family and leisure-time use.
Entering the market with four model variants.
The new BMW 5 Series Sports Wagon is entering the market in the guise of the 525i, 545i, 525d, and 530d. With the exception of the refined 2.5-liter straight-six bi-VANOS petrol engine of the 525i carried over from the former model, all other engine variants are new in the 5 Series Sports Wagon offering a significant increase in power, torque and performance. The 520i and 530i will be following in spring 2005.
The brand-new 2.5-liter straight-six diesel with a VNT turbocharger and the latest generation of common rail fuel injection now develops maximum output of 130 kW (177 bhp) from 2,497 cc, with muscular torque peaking at 400 Newton-metres or 295 lb-ft between 2,000 and 2,750 rpm. This means an increase in maximum output by 10 kW/14 bhp and an increase in torque by 50 Nm/37 lb-ft over the previous model. Acceleration of the 525d to 100 km/h is in 8.3 (8.5)* seconds, fuel consumption in the combined EU cycle is a mere 7.0 (8.0) liters/100 km, equal to 40.4 and, respectively, 35.3 mpg Imp. Top speed, finally, is 225 (222) km/h or 140 (138) mph.
*Figures in brackets relate to automatic transmission models.
The three-liter six-cylinder power diesel developing maximum output of 160 kW (218 bhp) and equally impressive torque of 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) from 2,000–2,750 rpm is already very well known from the 5 Series Sedan and the 7 Series. With average fuel consumption of just 7.2 (8.0) liters on 100 kilometres – equivalent to 39.2 (35.3) mpg Imp – the 530d Sports Wagon accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.2 (7.4) seconds and has a top speed of 242 (240) km/h, equal to 150 (149) mph.
525d and 530d complying in standard trim with EU4 and featuring a particle filter.
Both diesel models come as standard with a particle filter developed brand-new by BMW from the ground up and interacting with additional improvements within the engine to meet the EU4 emission standards far ahead of time before they come into force in 2005 (the same, naturally, also applies to the Sedan models). Thanks to its catalytic coating, the innovative system introduced for this purpose does not require any fuel additives, and is able to regenerate by itself. The advantages for the customer are long particle filter service life without requiring any additional maintenance, no reduction of engine output, and no increase in fuel consumption.
Moving on to the petrol engines, the 2.5-liter Bi-VANOS power unit developing maximum output of 141 kW (192 bhp) and maximum torque of 245 Nm (181 lb-ft) at 3,500 rpm represents the refined midfielder within the six-cylinder range, an engine combining dynamic performance and superior refinement, extra muscle and superior economy all in one. The BMW 525i Sports Wagon accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.2 (8.8) seconds and has a top speed of 232 (229) km/h or 144 (142) mph. Fuel consumption in the EU cycle is 9.9 (10.3) liters/100 kilometres, equal to 28.5 (27.4) mpg Imp.
Top-of-the-range version with high-tech 8-cylinder power unit.
The absolute highlight in the engine range is the 4.4-liter 8-cylinder aluminium power unit featuring Valvetronic, Bi-VANOS and a variable intake manifold. Developing maximum output of 245 kW (333 bhp) and peak torque of 450 Nm/332 lb-ft, this magnificent power machine gives the BMW 545i Sports Wagon the performance of a genuine sports car, with acceleration to 100 km/h in just 5.9 (6.0) seconds. Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h, average fuel consumption is a modest 11.3 (11.2) liters/100 km in the combined EU cycle, equivalent to 25.0 (25.2) mpg Imp – certainly very reasonable for a car with this kind of power and performance.
Six-speed gearbox featured as standard.
All Sports Wagon models come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. Six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is available as an option, and the BMW 545i Sports Wagon comes as an alternative also with a sporting six-speed SMG transmission enabling the driver to shift gears via paddles on the steering wheel, like in Formula 1.
All-aluminium chassis and suspension with self-levelling.
Like the 5 Series Sedan, the new Sports Wagon features an all-aluminium chassis and suspension together with a special version of the integral arm rear axle developed specifically for this model to provide a completely flat floor area within the luggage compartment and maximise the through-loading width. All Sports Wagon models furthermore come as standard with automatic self-levelling ensured by air suspension on the rear axle providing the same consistent level of driving comfort regardless of the load the vehicle is carrying. Traction and driving dynamics benefit additionally from the restriction of rear axle load to just about 52 per cent.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with additional Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), and Cornering Brake Control (CBC) functions round off the high standard of active safety offered by the 5 Series chassis and suspension.
The 5 Series Sports Wagon comes as standard on 16- or, respectively, 17- (545i) inch light-alloy wheels with tyres measuring 225/55 R 16 and, respectively, 225/50 R 17 (545i). Light-alloy wheels in runflat technology measuring up to 245/40 R 18 are available ex works as an option.
The outstanding qualities of the Sports Wagon’s perfectly balanced chassis and suspension can be enhanced to an even higher level through innovative systems such as Active Steering and Dynamic Drive anti-roll stability control. And the particularly dynamic, sports-minded driver also has the choice of a firmer suspension with the complete car lowered on the road.
Dynamic Drive:
Superior handling without body roll.
Equipped with Dynamic Drive as an option, the 5 Series Sports Wagon no longer has conventional, but rather active suspension able to respond in fractions of a second to each driving situation on the road. For Dynamic Drive varies the distribution and magnitude of stabilisation forces according to individual requirements by means of anti-roll bars on the front and rear axle separated on either side instead of extending from left to right. Connecting the two bar sections in the middle is a hydraulically operated swivelling motor exerting hydraulic pressure whenever required in order to build up appropriate stability forces on each wheel at exactly the right time, thus largely eliminating any body roll. As a result, the body of the car will sway by just 0.5º up to lateral acceleration of 0.6 g, that is a figure generally achieved only by the very sporting and dynamic driver, anyway. By comparison, a car not equipped with dynamic drive will build up the same roll angle with lateral acceleration of just 0.1 g. The roll angle will then increase to 1.3º with lateral acceleration between 0.6 and 0.8 g.
This stability effect gives the driver a superior and safe feeling on the road, the car resting on the surface with maximum stability and combining the drive comfort of a luxury Sedan with the handling of a sports car. And in practice, obviously, this means twice the usual driving pleasure thanks to extra dynamism plus extra comfort all in one.
Active Steering:
The perfect synthesis of agility in bends, stability on the road, and superior comfort.
BMW’s unique Active Steering complete with an integrated Servotronic function offers a comparable improvement of driving pleasure, agility, safety, and comfort. Fitted with this option, the 5 Series Sports Wagon benefits from optimum steering transmission and appropriate steering forces at all speeds. With conventional steering, the ratio between the steering wheel lock and the lock of the front wheels is independent of road speed, thus not changing appropriately as required. Active Steering, by contrast, combines the steering mechanism with a planetary gearing integrated in the steering column together with a step motor serving to vary the steering transmission ratio as a function of road speed: At low speeds the step motor operates in the same direction as the steering wheel itself, increasing the lock of the front wheels accordingly. At high speeds, by contrast, the step motor operates in the opposite direction reducing the lock of the front wheels.
In practice this means that the 5 Series Sports Wagon benefitting from more direct steering is extremely agile and nimble in tight bends, making it faster and more dynamic than ever before, for example on a slalom course requiring only minimum steering effort. At high speeds, in turn, the more indirect steering transmission allows the car to run straight ahead in a steady line like on rails.
A further advantage of BMW Active Steering is the increase in safety:
On winding roads the driver hardly has to move over his hands on the steering wheel any more, instead keeping them nearly always in exactly the right position, with perfect access to the multifunction control buttons or SMG shift paddles on the steering wheel. A further advantage is that Active Steering is able to automatically correct any oversteer by countersteering appropriately, thus unnoticeably and comfortably supplementing the car’s Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).
Yet another factor is the significant increase in motoring comfort:
When parking the driver is now required to turn the steering wheel not even two times round instead of three complete revolutions in the past in order to move the wheels from a complete right-hand to a complete left-hand lock and vice versa. Manoeuvring, therefore, is nothing but child’s play.
Driving on the motorway is also much smoother and more relaxed than before. With Active Steering reducing the steering angle at high speeds, minor, unintended movements of the steering wheel – for example when driving over bumps on the road – have a smaller effect on the car’s directional stability. This, in turn, allows the driver to dose the steering much better and more smoothly in fast bends on the motorway, the car remaining smoother and quieter in the process. The risk of possibly over-reacting by tearing at the steering wheel – for example when suddenly encountering an obstacle ahead – is reduced accordingly in the process. Active Steering, in consideration of these advantages, makes BMW the first manufacturer in the world to offer such an optimum synthesis of agility in bends, directional stability, comfort, and safety all in one.
Runflat technology and the Tyre Defect Indicator:
Superior safety with both a sudden and a gradual loss of tyre pressure.
An additional safety feature is the optional equipment of the 5 Series Sports Wagon with runflat tyres and nearly all of the light-alloy wheels available as an option. The big advantage with these tyres is that you can cover a distance of at least 150 kilometres or 90 miles at a maximum speed of 80 km/h or 50 mph even when the tyre is completely flat. In practice this eliminates the need to change the wheel when suffering a puncture, for example in the dark or in rainy weather or – even worse – at a dangerous point on the road. All 5 Series Sports Wagons are furthermore equipped as standard with a Tyre Defect Indicator permanently monitoring tyre pressure while driving and giving the driver both an optical and an acoustic signal when suffering a loss of pressure.