Auto Insider Malaysia

(pictures credit to paultan.org)

The all new BMW 5 series codename F10 was launched today to replace the E60 that was launched way back in 2003. We have read an article that the final E60 that was produced SKD (Semi Knocked Down) has been rolled out few weeks ago from the Inokom factory in Kulim paving the way for this new version. BMW introduce two variant of the new 5 series with the 523i for RM 398,800 and the 535i price at RM598, 800. Both car prices does not include the insurance premium but it is inclusive the BMW Service Inclusive+Repair.

The 5 series will be available to the public of Malaysia beginning of 15 May 2010 with more variants to come when the CKD operation commence back at the Kulim factory. According to Mr. Geoffrey Briscoe, MD of BMW Group Malaysia “we are confident that the legacy of the 5 Series will be one that continues to grow from strength to strength in Malaysia”

The 523i is powered by a 2.5 liter straight six (N52B25) which is a carried over engine from the E60 model which is equipped with Valvetronic & Double VANOS that produces 204hp @ 6,300rpm and 250Nm @ 2,750 but this engine has been tune with an increase of 14bhp and 20Nm of torque compared to the one in the E60 model. Century sprint for the 523i was recorded at 8.5 seconds and it can propel all the way to 234km/h top speed. Both variant of the new 5 series comes with an 8 speed automatic transmission which is called “sports automatic” where there is a steering paddles and M gearshift logic but the steering paddles is only limited to the 535i models. Even though the car has a big “CC” it only consume 8l/100 km with the help of the 8 speed auto box and also the Brake Energy Regeneration (BER) and the Electromechanical steering which is part of the BMW Efficient Dynamics.

Head after the jump for the rest of the stories and also live pictures from the launch

In comparison, there are differences of engine choice between Malaysia 523i engines compared to our European counterpart. In Europe, the 523i comes with a newer 3 litre (N53B30) naturally aspirated direct injection engine that produce 204bhp and an extra 20Nm as compared to the one in the N52 engine. According to BMW Malaysia, they have no choice but to introduce the N52 engine here in Malaysia due to our petrol quality which is high with sulphur content. This is because the BMW engineers in Malaysia still in progress of tuning the engine which is equipped with highly sensitive direct injection system where the fuel is injected with a very high pressure on a very fine tolerances. When the sulphur content is high, it can clog the injector thus it will pose a problem to the engine. I still remember when I work with my previous company where the company produce sensors for direct injection engine; usually there is a pressure sensor to gauge the pressure in the combustion engine in order to have a precise amount of fuel that needs to be injected according to the drivers throttle input.

The next line up for the BMW 5 series is the 535i that features a 3 liter twin turbo (Twin Scroll) direct injection engine that produce a healthy 306bhp and 400Nm of torque and the car manage a century sprint in 6.1 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250km/h and the fuel consumption recorded an impressive 8.4l/100km and what is the most impressive was the available torque was only from 1,200rpm all the way to 5000rpm.

I’m sure you will be wondering how BMW can offered a direct injection engine for the 535i but not in the 523i with the N53 engine and the answered is; the engineers of BMW Malaysia has managed to tune the turbo charged engine but not the normally aspirated direct injection engine as they haven’t yet manage to strike the balance needed for the engine to run with our Euro2M fuel quality in Malaysia.

Other technical wonders that is included in the new 5 series is the Integral Active Steering which is essentially a 4 wheel steering system where the rear wheels will turn slightly in the opposite way as oppose to the front wheel at low speed for a more nimble handling in the tight corners or it will turn on the same direction with the front wheel when at high speed for a more stable drive. This technology is not new as this technology was already available in the 7 series. BMW also offered, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Driving Control package with Dynamic Damping Control with 4 presets of comfort, normal, sports and sports+ that electronically enhanced the suspension, transmission shift points, accelerator and steering ratio according to the preset that you have selected and also the driver inputs.

As for the 535i, there is an additional of Adaptive Drive to the package that I have explained above where the system allow the drivers to personalize the suspension setup to their liking. The new 5 series has been built with a class leading wheelbase of 2,968mm an increase of 80mm from its predecessor that comes with a 2888mm wheelbase.

As for the ICE, the BMW 523i comes with 12 speakers and the BMW 535i comes with 16 speakers blasting the cones for a more enjoy full sound to the ear. Besides the speaker, the 535i has an additional four zone climate control, a sunroof, BMW Navigation Professional and also a multi coloured HUD (Head Up Display) with the largest LCD screen as compared to the 523i. The LCD screen for the 535i is an eye pleasing showing on a 10.2” where the lower end version 523i comes with a smaller LCD screen.