Cruising through Sunda Kelapa in a BMW 530i

Novan Iman Santosa and Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post Jakarta

It was a cloudy morning when we started the test-drive of BMW's latest BMW 530i model, which has undergone a major face-lift.

The model is now sportier than ever with double-lined engine hood and a new headlight arrangement on the front end. The double-line is also transformed along the body and ends up in the trunk.

The sleek design gives the vehicle a drag coefficient (cd) of 0.29, another sign of how sporty this saloon is.

This car, however, still bears the design and engineering traditions that come with every BMW.

Given these traditions, perhaps there is no better place to start the test-drive than the Sunda Kelapa harbor in West Jakarta, where the famous phinisi schooners dock for loading and unloading.

If the phinisi schooners represent the engineering excellence of the past, then the 530i represents current engineering excellence. And both share the streamlined look that is able to stand up to any challenge.

Unfortunately, the late February drizzle forced us to leave the harbor and visit the Fatahillah Museum in nearby Kota, Jakarta's historic district filled with buildings from the Dutch colonial era.

Again, both the buildings and car had an elegance redolent of their times.

Luckily, the sky was clear. After taking several snapshots, we braved Jakarta's infamous and treacherous main thoroughfare from Kota to the Semanggi cloverleaf, before entering the toll road and heading for Puncak in West Java.

Driving through the congested streets, however, was not a burden, as the BMW 530i comes with six-speed automatic transmission and is equipped with Tiptronic system offering easier driving options.

Powered by an in-line, six-cylinder, 2979 cc engine, the BMW 530i had no problems taking on the hills in Puncak, as the engine is capable of 231 horsepower at 5,900 revolutions per minute (rpm) and a maximum torque of 300 Newton meter at 3,500 rpm.

With a maximum speed of 250 kilometer per hour (kph), the BMW 530i can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 7.1 seconds.

The new 5 Series is 55 kilograms lighter than its predecessor thanks to the use of lightweight aluminum and steel, making the car faster and more agile.

As soon as we reached Puncak, a thick fog settled over everything, limiting visibility. In addition, a heavy rain prevented us from opening the electric skyroof.

Using Bi-Xenon headlamps and foglights, however, we were able to navigate Puncak's windy roads safely.

It was a relief that the BMW 5 Series is equipped with active steering, which operates differently in different conditions. When parking, a slight turn of the steering wheel moves the front wheels further compared to when driving at high speeds. A less direct steering ratio at high speeds ensures a more relaxed control over the car's course.

The new 5 Series also comes with adaptive headlights that follow the course of the road and shine right into bends. This feature allows an end to "black holes", making nighttime driving more enjoyable and safer.

Standard safety features include 10 air bags for driver, front passengers and rear passengers, including side air bags; antilock braking system (ABS) and other traction control systems.

As for passenger comfort, the seats are covered with "Dakota" leather and come with electronic seat adjustment for driver and front passengers. The driver seat also has a memory function.

Other members of the new 5 Series include the 520i, 525i, 545i and the new, diesel-powered 530d.

All BMW 2004 models come with two-year warranty and Service Inclusive Program offering five years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first, of free service and maintenance.

The program, which is also valid for other models from the 3 Series, 7 Series, X5 and Z4, ensures a carefree ride in the BMW 530i.