With dramatic styling in the mold of the new 7 Series, the new E60 5 Series has more interior room, more efficient and powerful engines, and many new innovative features to improve driving, comfort and safety.

Here are some of the exciting new advances:

• All-aluminum suspension and body front section components
• New six speed manual gearboxes
• Second-generation iDrive technology
• Adaptive headlights
• Brake force display

The all-new body makes extensive use of aluminum to form an extremely stiff yet lightweight platform that is far lighter than its predecessor. This leads to better performance and fuel economy and an ideal front/rear weight distribution, in a car that is also larger than its predecessor. The rigid chassis and perfectly-tuned suspension are crafted entirely from aluminum.

The new E60 5 Series has several engine options, including the 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engines and the 4.5-liter V-8. More...

Options include active steering, dynamic drive control, active cruise control, and more.

BMW has developed Active Front Steering (AFS) that maintains a mechanical link between the front wheels and the steering wheel.

AFS varies the steering transmission ratio electronically in direct relation to the style and speed of driving and road conditions. Under normal road conditions at low and medium speeds, the steering becomes more direct, requiring less steering effort of the driver, increasing the car’s agility in city traffic or when parking. At high speeds the steering becomes less direct offering improved directional stability. When cornering at high speeds, or when undertaking sudden movements, the steering stiffens up by monitoring increases in the yaw rate.

AFS works hand-in-hand with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) by monitoring the yaw rate and changing the steering angle accordingly. This reduces the number of DSC interventions, providing more control to the driver and increased comfort for the passengers.

Optional Dynamic Drive active suspension filters out bumps and suppresses virtually all body roll on cornering through the presence of two active anti-roll bars physically integrated into the front and rear axles. This further enhances agility and stability. Up to 80% of a car’s normal body roll in sharp bends is removed by Dynamic Drive, which also has active safety implications since directional stability is enhanced when taking emergency evasive actions.

Optional Active Cruise Control, first introduced on the new 7 series, automatically controls the distance to the car in front. This radar-based system is specially designed for highway driving, which makes it easy to maintain a safe and comfortable distance from the car in front.

The driver selects a comfortable distance to cruise behind other vehicles and the system automatically cuts power if the distance is reduced. Cruise control is still engaged, however, and as soon as the selected distance is available again, the car automatically speeds up to the desired cruising speed.

Better Lighting

Active safety measures on the new 5 series include Adaptive Headlights and Brake Force Display. These safety devices reduce the risk of an accident both front and rear.

Optional adaptive bi-xenon headlights swivel by up to 15 degrees left and right depending on the car’s steering angle, yaw rate and road speed in order to illuminate more of the road ahead when driving through a bend.

Brake Force Display enlarges the brake light area when the driver brakes sharply. When the driver applies the brakes hard, or upon activation of the ABS, the rear taillights join the brakelights at the same intensity to warn the vehicles behind that hard braking is taking place. This technology uses Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology and offers an extra split second for the driver behind to react to heavy braking ahead.

Better Information

The new 5 series will also feature the option of a head-up display, which presents vital information relevant to the driver directly on the windscreen in his/her line of vision. The driver can select what information is displayed (road speed or navigation instructions for example) and never has to take his/her eyes off the road. This information is displayed in a way that does not impinge on visibility.

The optional head-up display makes a significant contribution to active safety, by presenting important driving information directly in the driver's line of vision. This new system even allows the driver to select which information will appear on the windshield, for example speed or navigation instructions. Passenger comfort is enhanced by the new automatic climate control system, which features evaporation temperature control. The rear seating area has grown from the previous model, and trunk area is significantly expanded as well.

Better Air Conditioning

New automatic adaptive air conditioning maintains humidity within the car to counteract the normal drying effect of traditional air-conditioning units and will be standard equipment on all models.

In addition to more interior space, the new 5 series has an all-new dashboard combining some elements from the 7 Series and Z4 interiors. The dash has a second generation iDrive system that is now placed adjacent to the gear selector in the central console. The iDrive controller is located such that there is ample room for a console-mounted manual or automatic gearshift.

With the iDrive concept, the 5 Series is a pioneer in its class in driver-oriented ergonomics. Most functions essential for driving are located directly in front of the driver, on or around the steering wheel or column. Basic comfort functions are housed in the center console, while all other settings, functions and services are located quickly and efficiently within the iDrive Controller and Control Display specially modified for the 5 Series.

Here are the engine options for the new 5 Series:

• The 520i (available in many markets) has a 170 horsepower 2.0-liter in-line six with 175 lb-ft of torque.
• The 525i features a 184 horsepower 2.5-liter in-line six with 175 lb-ft of torque.
• The 530i features the 3.0-liter in-line 6-cylinder engine, producing 225 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque.
• The 530d diesel (available in many markets) has a 218 horsepower engine that does 0-100 in 7.1 seconds and gets 40.9 mpg.
• Replacing the 540i, the new 545i will feature the same V8 engine that powers the 745i. This 4.5 liter V-8 uses double VANOS variable valve-timing, VALVETRONIC throttle-less engine control and infinitely variable intake manifold runner-length control, to produce 325 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque.

A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard on all three versions, and an optional fully-electronic STEPTRONIC six-speed automatic will also be available.