The new BMW 5 Series Sedan

story by Bobby C. Warren III
posted on 12/2016
posted in: Feature Articles

With model-specific accessory components, the sportiest and most innovative sedan in its segment offers made-to-measure dynamic performance and individualized athletic flair.

The new BMW 5 Series Sedan is raring to go for intense driving pleasure and perfectly prepared to meet all the challenges of modern mobility. The most athletic and innovative business sedan of its segment goes on the road in February 2017. Just a few weeks later, the BMW M Performance automobile eBMW M550i xDrive also lines up for the start, at the same time as the market launch of the BMW M Performance accessories that are available for all variants of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. The retrofit components developed especially for the new BMW 5 Series Sedan drawing on BMW M GmbH expertise cover the areas of drive, suspension, aerodynamics and cockpit, enabling an individually tailored enhancement in terms of athletic visual style, agile driving response and sporty interior design.

For the models BMW 540i and BMW 540i xDrive, available directly from the market launch of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, a BMW M Performance Power and Sound Kit will be available which increases the output of the 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine by 20 hp to 360 hp. This in turn increases response, sprint capacity and pulling power without in any way affecting fuel consumption and exhaust emission figures according to the EU test cycle. This additional power is combined with a perfectly matching silencer system that makes for a striking, sporty sound. Tailpipe trims finished in chrome or carbon fibre are available for the BMW M Performance silencer system.

What is more, there is a BMW M Performance silencer as a separate retrofit option for the models BMW 540i, BMW 540i xDrive, BMW 530i and BMW 530i xDrive. In addition to powerful engine acoustics, the stainless steel sports silencer also adds a striking visual accentuation at the rear of the vehicle, where it is combined with either circular or trapezoid tailpipe trims in chrome or carbon fiber, depending on the engine variant.

Meanwhile a highly emotional acoustic pattern is generated by the BMW M Performance exhaust system Active Sound, available for the diesel models of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. The stainless steel exhaust ducting can also be fitted with circular or trapezoid tailpipe trims depending on the type of diesel engine, again available in either a chrome or carbon fibre finish according to preference. The trapezoid tailpipe trims also come as a separate retrofit option for all variants of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan.

As of summer 2017, a BMW M Performance Power Kit will be offered for the models BMW 530d and BMW 530d xDrive. This increases the output of the in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine by 27 hp 292 hp. In these models, too, the first-hand boost in power optimizes acceleration capacity and elasticity while retaining the same fuel consumption and emission figures according to the EU test cycle.

In addition to highly sporty power delivery, optimized braking performance is another aspect that contributes to individually tailored dynamic performance and precise handling properties. The BMW M Performance sports brake system offers a particularly high level of thermal resilience, thereby ensuring a constant deceleration impact even in highly dynamic situations on the road. It includes inner vented, perforated lightweight construction brake discs with 4-piston fixed caliper brakes made of aluminum on the front axle and single-piston floating caliper brakes on the rear axle. Their exclusive appearance is further enhanced in that the brake calipers are finished in red.

In addition to this, the product range in the area of suspension includes 20-inch BMW M Performance light alloy wheels in a two-level, double-spoke design. The weight-optimized forged wheels are available entirely in the color Orbit Grey as well as in a Bi-Color finish. An especially striking feature here is the combination of milled elements and burnished finish on the edge of the rim. The two-color wheels undergo a separate milling process after being finished in matte black, which means that the aluminum surface becomes visible again. The BMW M Performance light alloy wheels are combined with mixed tires in the sizes 245/35 R20 on the front axle and 275/30 R20 at the rear axle.

The exterior components developed to optimize aerodynamics have been designed with characteristic M precision to match the new BMW 5 Series Sedan. Model-specific BMW M Performance aerodynamic components are available to supplement the M sports package, an ex works option, and the M aerodynamics package, which is a retrofit option. The range includes attachment parts for the front bumper, a rear diffuser and a rear spoiler in carbon fibre finish. As supplementary features, there is also a choice of black side sill attachments and – as an alternative to the carbon fibre version – a rear spoiler and rear diffuser made of polyurethane (PUR). The components made of the light high-tech material carbon fibre are elaborately crafted by hand.

The M Performance aerodynamics components not only highlight the car’s sporty appearance, they also optimize its drive response. Further visual highlights can be added in the form of BMW M Performance exterior mirror caps in carbon fibre, the black BMW M Performance radiator grille, black BMW M Performance bars for the brake air channels, side sill stickers with M Performance inscription and BMW M Performance accent strips.

For a racing-inspired cockpit ambience there is a BMW M Performance sports steering wheel in Alcantara with red central marking in the 12 o’clock position and silver-grey cross-stitch seam: this is expected to be available in summer 2017. The BMW M Performance sports steering is also combined with shift paddles in vehicles fitted with an 8-speed Steptronic sports transmission.

These products all form part of the Original BMW Accessories program offered through the BMW dealer network, the BMW sales subsidiaries and BMW Service Partners. All BMW M Performance components comply with the uncompromising BMW Group quality standards in terms of materials, design and craftsmanship. What is more, retrofitting these items has no impact whatsoever on the warranty terms as applicable to the vehicle in question.