Test Drive BMW 5 Series F10 since 2009 Sedan
What the future looks like
This is the future looks like. BMW 5th series. Advertising with this inscription is hosted throughout Moscow. And although the official premiere of the new five has not yet been it will take place only in early September in Frankfurt, this future has already arrived on sale. And thus it became real. The new five was waiting with impatience, and not just because the new one. It has already become clear that BMW, abandoning the principles of evolution, has moved to revolutionary methods. Most recently, the intelligence of many motorists was brought into a crumpled seven shocking with their design. And the new BMW Z4 roadster with its extraordinary appearance brought this mind almost to a boil.
The first official photos of the new five appeared in the spring. And if in the case of a seven criticism, it was divided strictly into two camps or like it, or not, now I don't know the third opinion. I adhered to the latter. I was very confused by some sophistication of the appearance of a new model. At the same time, the design as such seemed proportional, competent, actually indisputable. Therefore, I do not know.
All doubts disappeared as soon as I saw the car alive. Very handsome plastic body, muscular. Silver color reveals all the nuances of the relief. In each rocarsce, the body looks different, glare and face play differently.
Adding in solidity, the five did not lose in the dynamic. The diagonal, the elected oriental eyes of the front optics and the playful rear will see the loss of masculinity inherent in the predecessors of this car. But the inherent BMW restrained aggression has been preserved: 18-inch wheels (245 mm in front and 275 rear) already in the basic configuration, low long hood, short front skel ... The interior is resolved in the spirit of seven and Z4. Acute faces, simple surfaces. The familiar display of the on-board computer in the center under the visor, and the joystick of the founded idrive system in place. It is sitting in Baemweshny tight, with the family effect all around, the lounge does not seem spacious, although geometrically space is plenty. The enlarged wheelbase gave more space rear passengers.
Semerous seat, completely electric (like a three-spoke sports steering wheel). Adjustments heap. Here is a floating lumbar side, and the variable side support, and a separately working upper part of the back, is not forgotten by the head restraint and roller under the legs. You can order the chairs also with ventilation and massage. In general, everything is like a seven.
Comfort fell, but did not push the driver components. DSC Disable button on the panel (and not deep in the IDRIVE menu), the handbrake is still mechanical. IDRIVE is simpler than on the front source there is no feedback from the handle on the handle, instead of eight menu sections only four, and a large return button appeared to the main menu. Simply, it means more convenient. The climate, of course, separate, for the rear passengers, is also there, however, functions are less, but there is its own adjustment and heated sofa. The stereo system is serious, with a processor, subwoofer and even with a central speaker. Plays worthy. All this magnificence is enlivened by the usual key.
In the depths of the engine compartment, a classic three-liter row six. Confident traction practiced from the lowest, pickup after 4000 rpm. Spinning almost to 7000. The sound of its, genuine breed. Only noise insulation has become more efficient, the motor is not heard as good as on the previous five ... Seven seconds and already a hundred. The speed is not felt, only here all around go somehow slowly ... The six-speed automatic works softly and quickly, in manual mode, patiently hangs on the selected transmission. And how the new five rulits himself! Without rolls and interceptions, quickly, clearly big cards, and only. Actually, it is not even necessary to steer, just to send it enough. As in a computer simulator.
There are several reasons for this. First of all, we achieved exemplary rates along the axes of 50/50. It has been achieved by considerable blood almost all the front aluminum, suspension too. And also introduced two new items. The first AFS system is active steering, the essence, depending on the speed of the movement, the transfer ratio changes using a planetary mechanism with electronic control. To turn around in the parking lot, it is enough just to move the steering wheel slightly, but at the speed turn it more thoroughly. AFS also works for safety, independently blowing in the right direction when driving.
The new five is much sharp of the predecessor, it is especially noticeable at high speeds when you need to be attentive with the steering wheel, despite the fact that the system dissolve several it, reducing sensitivity. Is it a prestigious class? Perhaps it would be more to the face of Treshka. However, the AFS system is an option, steering can be different: either a regular launch gear with a variable step, or equipped with a SERVOTRIC hydraulic switch with a changeable effort on the steering wheel. The second novelty Dynamic Drive system is borrowed, again, at the seven, these are active transverse stability stabilizers with built-in hydraulic motors, which, if necessary, they are screwed by increasing the rigidity. Thus, the comfort component of the suspension has been preserved, and its angular rigidity increased.
It may seem that the top five has become too robotic. But DSC is still disabled, prompting the AFS function too. It would be nice to make such and all AFS as a whole. However, it turns off in emergency mode, blocking the planetary row and the closure gear with the rail directly. The top five has grown and physically, and morally. Is it defined as BMW is still definitely? Undoubtedly. But this is another BMW. The German company once again asked new automotive standards for both comfort and manageability, and technical equipment as a whole. Considered and fashion for unisex. BMW models continue to depart from the above-mentioned image of Gangster Kars. Now the woman will look at the wheel of the top five. As for the design, it will very soon begin to perceive as proper, an example of a seven.
The life of the car just started. There is still a lot of new and interesting universal ahead, which will appear next summer, eight-cylinder versions 540 and 545, not to mention the M5 with the promised formular 10-cylinder engine. At the moment, the 520th and 530th models are available, diesel versions are not sold in Russia. The one was on the test, costs about 70.000 euros, and in general prices start with 45.000 as much as they ask for the 520s.
Sergey Yakubov
Source: Motor magazine [September 2003]
