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.