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JUST
what exactly make the great things in life, uh…great?
The
profound question was answered during a recent media
activity organized by BMW Group Philippines for its new
5 Series, the company’s latest generation of the
executive sedan, whose typical buyer is “the person at
the helm” or those who either run a company or manage
their own business and appreciate the finer things in
life.
To allow
the motoring media to experience what it’s like to be a
5 Series owner, several new examples of the 520d and
530d were placed at the disposal of journalists who
took turns driving them from the UCC at the Bonifacio
Global City in Taguig to several destinations to engage
in the pursuits of the well-to-do, such as swinging at
some golf balls at the Southpoint Driving Range in
Alabang, Muntinlupa, under the watchful eye of renowned
golf coaches Jun Sedo and Lito Santos; having lunch at
the Via Romana in Paradiso Terrestre in Daang Hari,
Cavite, before motoring to the Manila Polo Club where
they were introduced to the sport of archery by former
national archery champion Itos Carag; and then topping
it off with a sumptuous dinner at the Je Suis Gourmand
in the Bonifacio Global City where they were given
pointers on wine tasting and appreciation by Aaron
Palileo.
The
activities showcased several important elements,
specifically form, precision and finesse—attributes that
best describe the 5 Series, which has undergone subtle
yet substantial changes.
According to BMW Group Philippines corporate
communications director Lito German, the new BMW 5
Series has been so well-received in the market that the
company felt the latest model only needed enhancements
in a handful of areas, namely, design, performance,
comfort and innovations—all meant to deliver the
pleasures of a business-class lifestyle.
Design
Non-BMW
enthusiasts will hardly notice the exterior changes.
BMW aficionados, however, will immediately see the new
touches, such as clear-glass bixenon headlights and
corona parking lights, a harmonious front-end design
which maintains the look that is inherent in every BMW,
a new fog-lamp bezel, horizontal trim bar and new
air-intake design. In the rear, one will see LED
indicator lights and light-conducting rods as well as a
stronger horizontal subdivision and an additional
contour line.
Performance
In order
to maximize the 5 Series’ potential, BMW has engineered
performance-boosting features into the vehicle, such as
an all-aluminum suspension to reduce overall weight, a
pressure-regulated fuel pump that uses much less power
than a conventional pump and helps the engine reach its
normal operating temperature more quickly, a Varioserv
steering pump that avoids power loss at higher engine
speeds, a decoupled air-con compressor that disconnects
when it is not needed to reduce drag forces to a
minimum, and a lighter aluminum front end for quicker
steering response.
The test
units were both powered by diesel engines that were
fitted with variable turbine geometry, third-generation
common rail injection and a particulate filter. The
530d has the added advantage of an all-aluminum
crankcase that reduces its overall weight even further.
The
520d’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder cranks out 120 kW of
power and 340 Nm torque that enables it to sprint from
zero to100 kph in 8.6 seconds and attain a top speed of
223 kph.
On the
other hand, the 530d’s 3.0-liter straight-six has a
maximum output of 173 kW and a neck-snapping torque of
500 Nm that propel the vehicle from zero to100 kph in
6.8 seconds and help it reach a top speed of 250 kph.
Innovations
If it
doesn’t have leading-edge technology, then it isn’t a
BMW. Well, the 5 Series certainly doesn’t disappoint in
this area.
In the
Philippines all variants of the 5 Series are now
equipped with a new six-speed transmission with upgrades
that ensure instantaneous response to throttle inputs,
quicker gear changes (up to 40-percent faster), and an
electronic gearshift lever for sporty electromechanic
manual gear shift that promote lower fuel consumption
thanks to a new torque converter technology and more
powerful management software.
Comfort
and entertainment
In
keeping with its elegant exterior, the 5 Series’ cabin
has been redesigned using upgraded materials such as a
pearl gloss chrome design, soft-padded armrests and
handles, new fabric and leather combinations, and new
colors and seam patterns.
Amenities include automatic climate control with new
control elements, aux-in socket, a digital nine-channel
amplifier with 16 loudspeakers, and speed-dependent
volume control and equalizer.
Of
course, the vehicle is equipped with BMW iDrive with
eight programmable memory keys and run-flat tires.
As with
all things worth doing or owning, the 5 Series’ minute
but intricate details truly make it a perfect vehicle
for both business and pleasure or, succinctly put, an
excellent set of wheels for those who work and play
hard. |
