5 TO THE FORE

BMW has unveiled its all-new 5 Series, its latest contender in the executive saloon segment.

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BMW has unveiled its all-new 5 Series, its latest contender in the executive saloon segment.

Similar to the recently launched Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which looks like a smaller S-Class, the 5 Series is very much like a junior version of BMW’s flagship 7 Series.

This resemblance, however, is more than skin deep. Like its bigger brother, the 5 Series comes with the latest iDrive infotainment system, which can be controlled via rotary dial, gestures or the touchscreen.

The 5 Series can also be equipped with more advanced optional features, such as Remote Parking, which lets drivers manoeuvre the car into parking spaces using the car key.

For added convenience during long drives or in traffic jams, the 5 Series can be further specified with Active Cruise Control, and the Steering and Lane Keeping assistant. When activated, these systems essentially take over and drive the car.

Meanwhile, executives who prefer to drive themselves can look forward to the 5 Series’ improved agility. The new model is up to 100kg lighter than the older one, and is available with more powerful engines.

The current top-end 540i variant, for instance, has a turbocharged 3-litre inline-6 that produces 340bhp and has a century sprint time of 5.1 seconds.

The BMW 5 Series will be launched here in the first quarter of 2017.

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