BMW 5 Series shows up and steals hearts

BY Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe

The 5 Series has always been the sweet spot for BMW. Unlike the larger 7 Series saloon, the slightly smaller size has allowed the brand to play around with design without skimping on the technology and also add those nice-to-have touches.

Last week, all routes led to Mother City to witness the much-anticipated launch of the 8^th generation BMW 5 Series. The new 5 Series waltzed into Cape Town in great style, and the weather Gods were also smiling and admiring its sheer beauty. This gathering was one of the highlights of the South African motoring scene. To the motoring journalists who cracked the invitation code, there was an atmosphere of suspense and excitement. The palpable feeling people get when they sit in church, waiting for the bride to make a grand entrance.

In the past, BMW would unveil both petrol and diesel engine derivatives. Petrolheads would clamour for top-of-the-range petrol engines with diesel ones seldom making it to the top of the wish list. But change has been brewing in the auto industry in the past decade. These winds of change can be traced back to 2011 when BMW introduced the first concepts of the i3 and i8 at Frankfurt Auto Show to gasps and bewilderment from the audience. It was a game-changer. In line with the ‘new normal’, the 5 Series comes in two EV powertrains and a diesel engine. Petrol engines were conspicuously absent at launch as if to remind motoring scribes that winds of change are swept in.

Design

When we finally detangled ourselves from warm embraces and paired up, eager to hit the road, we came in contact with the star of the show. At first glance, it was difficult to not be captivated by the imposing presence and elegance of the 5 Series. It is unmistakably a BMW boasting the opinion-splitting double kidney grille. Although smaller than the 7 Series, it has its own personality and follows its own design cues without looking like a ‘shrunk’ 7 Series.

Our first choice to drive was the electric i5 in Alpine white. The selling points of this vehicle are its long impressive range, the luxury as well as its performance. As to be expected, the car is completely quiet. However, it is a classic example of not misinterpreting quiet for modest. On the road, it is a head-turning beast with a performance to boot.

The interior is plush with luxurious finishes while the elongated touchscreen makes an interesting focal point. As soon as you slide in and find a comfortable sitting position, you feel like you are in a modern cockpit with almost no imposing instrument cluster and AI as your trusted co-pilot. The small, glass gear shifter stood out for its elegant design that mimics the appearance of a diamond and feels absolutely awesome to touch.

The drive

With an acclaimed range of over 400km, we had no fear of being stuck on the road with nowhere to charge. Our route was a combination of city driving and, an open freeway with added meandering country roads in the Westcoast added to test the handling of the vehicle. The car felt like it was gliding and wafting on the tarmac while we chatted away, often completely missing our turns. When we swapped cars and got in the diesel engine, it held its very own. It showed off its equally impressive qualities and proved that it should not be mistaken for a lackluster sibling of the i5. We tried to find faults but failed dismally. I was absolutely enamored with the eye-catching, Cape York Green metallic that seemed to blend beautifully with the dry, Cape grasslands yet also popped at the Weskus Padstal in Yzerfontein. All in all, the new BMW 5 Series does something to the heart. It leaves you with warm and fuzzy feelings. It’s a heartbreaker if you’ve set your heart on it and cannot raise the R1 247 893.60 for the entry-level 520D model.