BMW: Look good dancing across the road

Motoring editor Jacqui Madelin takes the BMW 5 series through its paces in the Serra da Arrabida hills in Portugal. Photo / Supplied

BMW'S 5 Series is a pillar of the company worldwide, with more than 5.55 million sold since it launched in 1962. But the segment has been dying by degrees here.

BMW NZ hopes this 5 and its wider range of engines will rejuvenate it. Hence our drive on Portugal's mid-winter roads, with a racetrack stop still to come as I write.

What's new?
The body - with its longer, lower, leaner lines - its muscularly sculpted flanks and thrusting persona. Its cabin layout, now more driver-focused. The active rear axle that can steer against the angle of the front by 2.5 degrees, and imparts the agility of a smaller car.

There's more aluminium in the chassis and body, the 50kg saving almost offsetting the new tech's weight gain.

The twinpower turbo's increased efficiency means it's replaced the twin scroll set-up, while the eight-speed transmission designed alongside ZF heads a long list of features stepping down from the 7 series. This car gets surround cameras, self-parking, a head-up display, active cruise, lane change and departure warning - we could fill a page with its extensive spec list.

The company line
BMW corporate communications manager Piers Scott says: "We think this model is significant. We are breathing new life into the premium executive sedan market, and though there will be price rises, they will not be adequate to reflect the increased spec."

We'll get most of the available engines, from the 300kW/600Nm, 4.4-litre V8 down to the 135kW/380Nm, 2.0-litre 528i. All but the 523i and 530d in fact, with the first cars arriving in June and the 520d in September.

NZ expects the V8 to top sales initially, followed by the diesels - especially an expected 535d.

What we say
This car looks good, the remains of Bangle's flame surfacing toned down, the car's sculptural skin assertive to match the increased power, lower emissions, more frugal thirst and the array of cutting-edge tech.

On the road
We've driven only the 535i so far, spearing down Lisbon's extensive motorway, over the spectacular 17.2km Vasco da Gama bridge and switchbacking up the flanks of the Serra da Arrabida hills, slicing across ridgelines with breathtaking views before plunging back to the coast, and into heavy rain.

The 535i proved comfortably cosseting at all times. The eight-speed transmission is a mind-reading revelation, with cogs swapped in as little as 100 to 150 milliseconds. And the 3.0-litre, 225kW in-line six with its 400Nm of torque delivered from 1200 to 5000rpm revealed a gratifying turn of speed, and an even more more gratifyingly meaty soundtrack with the accelerator planted to the floor.

With sports mode selected and with the active rear steering she was agile, too, dancing across the crests, clinging to the tarmac while absorbing bumps and lumps that'd do the average NZ back road proud.

Yet she was also at home in thick city traffic, the steering unfazed by the short-term flooding, the auto wipers doing their stuff.

That we felt so at home despite a 36-hour trip says much for this car.

Why you'll buy one
You want the latest tech, a luxury car that handles and sounds like a hooligan when you want, or like a limo when you don't.

Why you won't
You can't stomach the increased prices no matter how much extra tech BMW packs in.