BMW to challenge Mercedes with new car
BMW to challenge Mercedes with new car
By Russell Williamson and Alastair Doak
BMW may have delivered the goods to give Mercedes-Benz' E-
Class a serious shake-up in the showroom with its all new 5-
Series.
Unveiled in Jakarta earlier this week by the local importer PT
Tjahja Sakti Motor Corp, the new 5-Series model range offers all
the luxury and performance of a prestigious European marque at a
substantially lower price than its natural competition.
The 5-Series -- which will take prime position on BMW's stand
at the Jakarta Convention Center -- is available in three models.
The 523i, powered by a straight six 2500cc engine, is priced
at Rp205 million in manual form and Rp215 million with an
intelligent four speed automatic transmission.
The top of the range 528i, with a six cylinder 2800cc engine
is priced at Rp235 million and comes standard with BMW's
Steptronic transmission which combines the ease of an automatic
with the ability to use the sequential gearshift like a manual
transmission.
Launched with the slogan, "the perfect balance", the 5-Series
is exactly that and you could be forgiven for thinking that
evolution and not revolution was the underlying theme of BMW's
new mid-size sedan.
Take a look at the 5-Series and from some angles it looks like
the smaller 3-Series. Others could mistake it for the limousine
7-Series.
On closer inspection there is evidence BMW has refined its
corporate look with its latest offering. At the front the car's
nose is quite rounded, smooth and clean, while the "power bulge"
on the hood gives this car a more imposing stance.
The efficiency of this smoother, rounder interpretation of the
BMW look is reflected in the car's drag coefficient of 0.29 for
the 523i and 0.30 for the 528i.
The new body also answers previous criticism of lack of space
in the back with it being bigger in every direction. Rear legroom
has been helped by a 70mm stretch of the wheelbase to 2,830mm.
Accommodation may be increased but the 5-Series still does not
quite match the lounging space of the new E-Class Benz.
The wheelbase may be longer but BMW's trademark short
overhangs has kept overall length in check.
Inside, the cabin borrows its layout theme and much switch
gear from the 7-Series, with all models fitted with steering-
wheel mounted buttons for cruise control and radio functions
among other gadgets.
Standard equipment includes leather trim, dual air bags,
climate control air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors and
remote central locking.
A near perfect driving position can be achieved by the multi-
adjustable power-operated seats which offer outstanding comfort
and support.
In addition to the evolutionary changes, the 5-Series offers a
series of firsts, including rack and pinion steering.
The new system improves the amount of information the driver
receives, although the leather-bound wheel rim does feel a little
thin.
The five-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic on the
528i is also new. It allows manual gear changing at the push of
the gearshift -- forward to go up a gear, back for down-changing
-- although as with other systems it will override the driver if
he tries to do something silly such as select fifth gear at
20kmh.
Left to its own devices the gearing delivers smooth crisp
changes that will have most, if not all drivers, ignoring the
Steptronic system for all but the most serious of Sunday
afternoon drives.
The 2800cc twin camshaft engine is the biggest power plant on
offer and is a gem, with silky smooth power and a broad torque
band.
Getting the power onto the road is no problem with the
standard ACS+T traction control system, however with its
multilink suspension, borrowed from the 7-Series, the 5-Series
has such high grip levels that the traction control, even on wet
roads, is rarely used.
It is under the car where it is at its most revolutionary as
its multilink suspension system is machined from aluminum. The
company claims this to be a world's first for a volume model.
BMW has not followed Audi down the all aluminum body route to
reduce weight, instead it has used the light alloy to fashion its
suspension and steering systems as well as its brake calipers.
All models also get light aluminum wheels.
However, the weight gains from this steel for aluminum swap
(which saved more than 65kg) have been largely eliminated by
higher standard equipment levels and the bigger body so the new
models tip the scales only slightly under the superseded cars.
With the lower drag coefficient and a slight weight decrease
however, BMW claims a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy.
The looks may say evolution, some of the technical highlights
revolution, but either way this car impresses. BMW has taken its
mid-size car and improved it in almost every way, making it one
of the best sedans money can buy.
However, having a good product is not going to guarantee the
cars will move out of the showroom at the rate that BMW would
necessarily like.
In order to appeal to new buyers, the company is concentrating
on providing an above average after sales service that will help
it compete more effectively.
This includes such things as 24 hour roadside assistance,
prepaid service contracts and a guarantee to deliver parts within
48 hours or provide them for free.