An answer for those who want to own their first BMW

An answer for those who want to own their first BMW

What is so special about the latest generation of the BMW 520i?
Apart from the fact that only a few have roamed this city's
streets, the car is sporty, dynamic and rearing to go.

When The Jakarta Post scored the chance to try the new 520i on
a Saturday evening, it definitely attracted loads of attention --
on the street and when it was parked in a shopping center in
Central Jakarta.

Its double-kidney grille helps accentuate the new 5 Series'
sportier look. The shifting trend of having a low roof gives a
coupe-like touch to the car.

But what wins it the most fans is the rear part of the car,
which is completely different from that of the previous
generation. Along with its integrated spoiler, it looks extra
wide, firm and taut.

For the first time ever, the body of the car is made of steel
and aluminum.

All the new 5 Series models separate controls from instruments
and reduce the number of switches and buttons.

The cabin is redesigned to minimize the complexity of control
panels. All frequently used driving functions are located around
the steering wheel to ease the driver's task during the journey.

The less frequently used functions are accessed through the
iDrive controller -- a new and easy-to-understand integrated
control concept. Drivers can check these functions through a
monitor in the cockpit.

My colleague and I decided to test the Completely Knocked Down
(CKD) car -- which was assembled at Astra's PT Tjahja Sakti Motor
plant in Sunter, North Jakarta -- on the Jagorawi toll road. In
automatic transmission mode, the car can go as fast as 150
kilometers per hour (kph), which is higher than the speed limit
of 100 kph on the toll road.

Considering that Puncak is usually packed with Jakartans on
the weekend, we decided to exit Sentul to test the car's
performance on hilly roads.

When we accelerated on the hilly roads, however, the automatic
transmission seemed to be less efficient as there was a lag
between stepping on the gas and accelerating.

The brakes are possibly the most impressive part of the 5
series performance package, particularly when we built up speed
using the sports mode of the transmission.

We raced to Bogor before returning to Jakarta. But on our way
back, we couldn't help laughing when a sedan with a smaller
engine capacity overtook the 520i.

With its engine capacity of 2,171cc, the 520i has a maximum
output of 125 horse power (hp) at 6,100 revolutions per minute
(rpm) and maximum torque of 210 Newton meters at 3,500 rpm.

Since safety has become a very important issue, the new 520i
is also equipped with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Antilock
Braking System (ABS) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC). The car
has 10 air bags, belt latch tensioners and active headrests, car
and key memory and a crash censor.

Our conclusion from trying the car was that it could not
accelerate fast enough -- even in sporty mode. But who needs to
speed on Jakarta's congested roads anyway?

With a price tag of Rp 678 million (US$72,982), the new 520i
would make a very nice first luxury car.
-- Primastuti Handayani