The new 5 arrives

MANILA, Philippines - “Don’t try that in other cars, okay?” admonished Kookie Ramirez with a smile to our group of motoring press who were privileged to take the spanking-new BMW 5 series out for a few hours of proving and testing at the Clark Speedway in Subic. Along with brother Georges, Kookie was our facilitator/trainer to better showcase the abilities of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s new baby.

Oh, yes. After seven years, the folks at BMW finally scratch the itch for the next 5 and, believe me, it’s well worth the wait.

The new 5 (also known at BMW as the F10) represents a complete makeover for the iconic series. The new iteration is a dichotomous package of brute power and elegant refinement.

Feisal Meeajun, who flew in from the BMW’s regional office in Singapore just for the exclusive media testing, underscored how importantly the new 5 factors into BMW’s overarching plan to stamp its mark as “the most successful premium” auto brand.

“We want it to be the benchmark for driving dynamics and efficiency,” he said. After all, BMW has always been known as a driver’s brand; a car that is meant to be owner-driven.

Putting the 5 through the paces at Clark International Speedway is a purist’s dream come true. Untethered from the confines of traffic and restrictions of the road, we pushed the car beyond the ordinary situations and demands of daily driving to better appreciate what this premium sedan can do. When I say untethered I also mean being given the go-ahead to abuse the P5-million vehicle. I can’t imagine normally doing that, of course.

Put through some basic slalom work, the 5 proved agile and adroit – giving the driver a secure feeling even as we piled on the Gs. Although I admit to downing a hapless orange cone, it was definitely my fault for being tentative at the wheel of such a consummate performer. Georges prodded us on to push past our comfort levels and pay no heed to conventional driving instincts.

Asked to make an abrupt lane-change at 60 kph, the BMW obliged with sure-footedness; its tires making nary a sound of protest. I was more than a bit surprised by its grip and poise.

The subsequent lap around the track was our chance to stretch the car’s legs and see what all the hype was about. We were instructed to put the 5 in Sport Plus mode and, man, did it fly – shattering all my preconceived notions about diesel-fed power plants. The three-liter, in-line six-cylinder heart generates 245 bhp (the 2.5-liter, gas-driven 523i musters 204 bhp), mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. At Sport Plus mode, the 5 is an aggressive beast, and willingly gives the horses out. Riding with Georges for a hot lap, I discovered just how nimble and fun the 5 is as it hugged turns ate up the asphalt.

Compared to its elder sibling, the new 5’s chassis is slightly longer, up 44 millimeters, and sports a longer wheelbase as well to the tune of a significant 80 millimeters. Rear legroom has also been improved.

Feisal explained body overhangs have been reduced in the new 5. For instance, the front wheels have been moved closer to the face of the vehicle. One of the benefits is that the vehicle doesn’t dip during braking. The widened footprint gives the vehicle enhanced stability, too.

For people looking from the outside, the 5 series is an eyeful. A driver glancing at his rearview mirror is sure to do more than a double take once he sees the new 5 pulling up from behind.

The 5 series looks as mean as it is elegant. The two kidney-shaped grills inevitably draw you the familiar emblem on the hood, and the flared wheel arches imbues muscularity. But the intimidating headlight assembly is a defining element of the 5 Series fascia. Two cylindrical headlights are “cut off at the top by a trim panel creating… concentrated focus.” Complementing optional xenon headlamps are daytime driving lights of LED light rings. Turn lamps are made of 10 LED units each. Another LED focus light marks the upper end of each headlamp unit.

Behind the design and upgrades are a wealth of technologies too numerous to name – the very factors that make it possible for our fortunate group of writers to dish out such a rigorous series of tests that the 5 passes without breaking a sweat.

In spite of its robustness, I should point out that this 5 is more refined than its predecessor. Sleeker and curvier, the wedge shape promises a lower drag coefficient, even as the continuous roofline sleekly blends into the rear which, incidentally, assumes a softer profile.

The bottomline? The 5 foretaste was infinitely pleasurable. Imagine if you could take it home with you.

And oh, I’d really think twice about trying those moves in other cars, Kookie. Don’t worry.