BMW South Africa have launched the latest BMW 5 Series on local shores. The new car marks the sixth-generation of the venerable sports sedan and, if our first impressions are anything to go by, looks set to continue, if not accelerate, the already substantial sales figure of over 5.6 million units sold since production of the first ’5′ began in 1972.

Developed under the codename ‘F10′, the BMW 5-Series softens the harder lines of the current E60 with more integral-looking headlights and a cleaner front-end design. New European pedestrian safety standards threaten to drastically alter the design of many European cars for the worse, but BMW has managed to maintain its classic twin-kidney grille design with the new 5-Series, while simultaneously reducing the length of the front overhang. From the rear, the new 5 Series looks sleek and sporting. The optional 19-inch wheels on our press car ended flush with the wheel arches and accentuated the car’s hindquarters. L-shaped rear light clusters incorporating LED lights are unique and unmistakably BMW.

As is typical of most recent BMW redesigns, this 5-Series adds some space between the wheels by extending the wheelbase by 88 mm and widening the track. The car’s overall length has grown by 40 mm, while its height is slightly reduced and its width increased by a fraction. Despite being slightly larger, the new 5 Series features a 55% stiffer chassis while at the same time managing a weight reduction of 50 kilograms over its E60 predecessor. These aspects of the latest 5 Series are made possible by the increased use of aluminium in the car’s construction, specifically the bonnet, front fenders and passenger doors.

With the advent of the latest ’5′, BMW have more clearly achieved their objective – with reference to the 5th generation E60 – of creating a mid-size sedan that successfully blends design, dynamics and comfort.

Design aside, two components play a pivotal role in the successful fulfillment of these desired traits. The first is that of the suspension components, which feature a new-to-5 Series, aluminium, double-wishbone front axle and multi-link rear axle – as found on the 7 Series and 5 Series GT models. The new front suspension layout helps the 5 Series attain admirable levels of agility and comfort.

The second element of the dynamics/comfort equation is the electronic wizardry that aids in controlling the steering and suspension behaviour. EPS, or Electric Power Steering, is a first for the 5 Series and its segment, and is combined with BMW’s Dynamic Drive Control (DDC) as standard across the 5 Series range.

Where as conventional steering uses a hydraulic/mechanical setup to turn the front wheels, EPS relies on an electric motor to achieve the same results. We found the software controlling the steering does an excellent job of delivering steering accuracy at varying speeds. In addition, the lack of a physical connection to the front axle from the steering wheel means vibration is almost entirely eliminated.

With a physical steering connection now replaced in favour of an electronic one, its easy to assume dynamism to be lost. We were pleasantly surprised to find that this simply isn’t the case. In fact, the latest 5 Series feels every bit a BMW and perhaps more truer to the 5 Series ethos than before.

In addition to EPS, handling of the new car is further enhanced courtesy of Integral Active Steering. Previously available only on the 7 Series, when fitted with this option the 5 Series benefits from rear-wheel steering by up to 2.5 degrees. Up to speeds of 60 km/h the rear axle turns in the opposite direction to the front, thereby requiring less effort to turn and reducing the turning circle by 0.5 metres. Beyond 60 km/h the rear axle turns parallel with the front, again requiring less steering input and offering improved high-speed stability.

The DDC offers Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+ suspension modes, which all offer different levels of damping and steering sensitivity, depending on driver preference for the speed and road conditions. As with the 5 Series GT we drove earlier this year, Normal and Sport modes proved adequate, while Comfort softened the car a bit too much for our liking.

Of course the new 5 Series is loaded with safety equipment. Suffice to say it has just about all you could think of and more – such as Dry Braking function that optimises brake performance in the wet, by imperceptibly applying the brakes at regular intervals, to keep the discs dry.

Buyers have the choice of covering the brake discs with the standard 17-inch wheels, or a set of either 18- or 19-inch alloys.

Initially the 5-Series will be available with the choice of either an 8-cylinder, or three 6-cylinder petrol engines. The range will be rounded off in August 2010 by the arrival of the 520d 4-cylinder turbodiesel model.

The top-of-the-range BMW 550i comes with a V8 boasting ‘TwinPower Turbo Technology’ for maximum output of 300 kW, 600 N.m of torque and average fuel consumption of 10.4 l/100km. The straight-six with TwinPower Turbo in the BMW 535i delivers maximum output of 225 kW, 400 N.m of torque and average consumption of 8.4 l/100km. The two straight-six power units in the 528i and 523i, deliver 190 kW and 150 kW respectively, while torque figures are 310 N.m for the 528i and 250 N.m for the 523i. A straight-six diesel gives the BMW 530d maximum output of 180 kW, 540 N.m of torque and an average fuel consumption of 6.1 l/100km.The entry level 4-cylinder diesel engine in the 520d offers 135 kW, 380 N.m of torque and average fuel economy of 5.2 l/100km.

All models are fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, which forms part of the BMW Efficient Dynamics package, also now standard on all 5 Series models. Highlights include Brake Energy Regeneration with recuperation display, on-demand operation of ancillary units, Electric Power Steering (EPS) and tyres with reduced rolling resistance.

A multitude of gadgets are available to keep occupants entertained, comfortable and safe. These include ‘Parking Assistant’, ‘Surround View’ and collision warning with application of the brakes in conjunction with ‘Active Cruise Control’ plus ‘Stop & Go’. Further features also available are ‘Lane Change Warning’, ‘Lane Departure Warning’, a Head-Up Display, BMW Night Vision with detection of individual persons, and a back-up camera.

Price includes a 5 Year/100 000 km Motorplan, non-contributing service and maintenance contract.

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