Car tested: 2011 BMW 520d
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 48,05,497/-
The F10 BMW 5-Series was launched in India last year. Currently in its 6th generation, the 5-Series is a very important model for the company and is based on the F01 7-Series platform. Historically, the five is the second best seller for BMW after the 3-Series, but accounts for 50% of the company’s profit. The German automaker has sold more than 5.5 million 5-Series cars till date. The 520d is the base diesel in India and uses the same engine which does duty in both the 320d and the X1 diesel. But does the new 5-Series outdo its closest rival? The Mercedes E250 CDI? We are just going to find out.
Exteriors – The new 5-Series has evolved significantly since its introduction in 1972. The latest F10 is a neutral looking car. You might like it much but you definitely won’t hate it. Unlike the E60, the F10 looks quite conservative in styling. It draws heavy inspiration from its elder brother, the 7-Series, which isn’t a bad thing. With the longest wheelbase in the segment, a long and sleek hood, short overhangs, and a coupe-like roofline, the new BMW 5-Series Sedan stands out clearly from the competition. The daytime running lights incorporate quite unmistakable LED corona rings. The slightly forward inclined kidney grille and flared wheel arches, gives the front end a strong presence.
The dynamic lines of the car are further enhanced by the strikingly compact counter-swing at the bottom of the C-pillar.The L-shaped rear light clusters reflect the typical look of a BMW. Three rows of LED lights look straight out of the 7-Series.
Exteriors – The new 5-Series has evolved significantly since its introduction in 1972. The latest F10 is a neutral looking car. You might like it much but you definitely won’t hate it. Unlike the E60, the F10 looks quite conservative in styling. It draws heavy inspiration from its elder brother, the 7-Series, which isn’t a bad thing. With the longest wheelbase in the segment, a long and sleek hood, short overhangs, and a coupe-like roofline, the new BMW 5-Series Sedan stands out clearly from the competition. The daytime running lights incorporate quite unmistakable LED corona rings. The slightly forward inclined kidney grille and flared wheel arches, gives the front end a strong presence.
The dynamic lines of the car are further enhanced by the strikingly compact counter-swing at the bottom of the C-pillar.The L-shaped rear light clusters reflect the typical look of a BMW. Three rows of LED lights look straight out of the 7-Series.
Interiors – All BMW cars have a similar dashboard design language and the new 5-Series is no different. The cockpit is inclined towards the driver and features horizontal lines on the instrument panel. All displays, knobs and buttons are situated centrally for use by the driver and front passengers; controls for the driver’s use only are to the left of the steering wheel or on the front center console. The steering wheel has power tilt and telescopic adjustment and both front seats come standard with 10-way power adjustment including head-restraint height.
The seating position has been improved over the former model both front and rear, with knee-room on the rear seats of the new BMW 5-Series Sedan up by 13 mm (not really a huge improvement when you sit in both the cars simultaneously). Boot capacity is 520 litres with the tool kit neatly mounted on the inside of the boot lid.
The F10 features BMW’s 4th generation iDrive control screen in 7 inch dimensions and 800 x 480-pixel resolution. The company claims the displays to be trans reflective so that light from the sun enhances the images on the screen. The Driver can make calls or surf radio stations via the steering-wheel controls. The iDrive features various interesting tid-bits from servicing details, car settings and likewise. You can choose how many times do you want the indicators to blink and when should the drive me home lights turn off. The vehicle journey computer displays interesting information about your journey, including time, distance and real time fuel consumption
If you're thinking about buying a new car, you should definitely take it for a test drive first. This will help you get a feel for the car and see if it's the right fit for you. Follow these tips to make sure you have a successful test drive.
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