As we got out of the city and into provincial towns with names like Siliqua, Narcao and Villaperuccio, and
where roads were good and traffic was light, we got to play with the new 5-series' equally new 6-speed Steptronic
automatic transmission whose up- and downshifts may be performed via steering wheel-mounted buttons. We also
marvelled at the car's programmable head-up display, whose projected digital images (and their brightness) may be
varied depending on the driver's preferences.
On the winding mountainside roads, BMW's legendary road-holding came to the fore. Start with a fabulously
well-tuned all-aluminum strut front/multi-link rear suspension, add a perfect 50:50 front:rear weight distribution
(courtesy of an aluminum front body structure), then add the aforementioned Active Steering that electronically
varies steering ratios and the amount of power assist, and you've got a sport sedan that can carve apexes as precisely
as any true-blue sports car. Shifting up and down via the steering wheel-mounted buttons as we attacked corner after
corner in our best Juan Pablo Montoya imitation plastered smiles on our faces that lasted for days.
Needless to say, "motor" is BMW's middle name, and we certainly weren't disappointed whenever we had to call on
the horses from Bavaria. Our 530i boasted a high-performance 3.0-liter 24-valve inline-6 engine with Double-VANOS,
BMW's high-tech infinitely variable camshaft adjustment system that monitors driving conditions and requirements and
adjusts accordingly. The result? 231 bhp at 5900 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at a low 3500 rpm for the 530i.
We also drove the diesel-powered variant, the 530d, which has a 3.0-liter 24-valve straight-6 with state-of-the-art
common rail technology. This engine can singlehandedly change the way the world perceives diesel engines with its
uncanny smoothness, quietness and, last but not least, sheer power. The 530d's motor generates 218 bhp and a
whopping 500 Nm of torque at an ultra-low 2000 rpm. To put this overachieving powerplant in perspective, the Ford
Expedition's humongous V8 develops only 395 Nm of torque at a much higher 3450 rpm. Incredible!
Mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission (all new 5-series models come with 6-speed gearboxes, manual or
automatic), the 530d can easily move from a standstill in 2nd gear with nary a quiver from the engine. We tried to
short shift it all the way to 6th gear (50 kph in 6th gear!) but the vast reserves of torque simply pulled the car along
with no complaint whatsoever.
Of course, there are a thousand and one other advanced features and innovations that the new 5-series brings with
it. (The press kit's technical highlights alone took up more than 60 pages.) However, short of devoting this whole issue
to this magnificent car, suffice to say that the new 5-series is definitely worth a close look, both for prospective buyers
and lovers of technology alike. Its understatedly aggressive and sporty styling that manages to retain that hard-to-achieve
aura of snootiness and elitism is just the icing on this Bavarian cake. The new 5-series is easily one of the finest
mid-sized sedans in the world.
