BMW has released official images and details of its facelifted 5 Series range. We know it will be showcased at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) and then released shortly thereafter in South Africa. The facelifted 5 Series range includes the regular Sedan, a Touring estate model and the one we all love to hate, the Gran Turismo.
If you can spot any difference between this car and the preceding model, please let us know. Styling wise there is very little to talk about but that is clearly indicative of BMW’s; “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it…” approach to the safe and steady 5 Series. The Bavarian manufacturer is adamant there is a different structure to the lower air intake, while at the back there is an additional crease in the apron. They also say the taillights are now more sharply contoured than before.
All models get standard xenon headlights, with adaptive LED headlights and fog lights as optional. Side indicators are now built into the wing mirrors, new alloy wheel designs are available, and there are new upholstery colours and interior trims to choose from as well as exterior paint colours. Extra storage compartments and cup holders provide more room than before.
BMW Luxury and Modern Line packages are newly introduced to the 5-Series line-up for the first time along with the M-Sport option which can make even the lowliest diesel look a bit like the M5. More chrome is added all around the interior, with a frame now surrounding the iDrive display. The ambient lighting option can now be alternated in tone between orange and white.
Perhaps more importantly for the range, certain markets will receive a down-tuned 520d model called the 518d; this will act as an even lower entry-level diesel variant. It is unlikely we will receive this model in South Africa as our fuel quality will no doubt come under scrutiny again. The rest of the engine range gets updated too, to be cleaner, more efficient and with even more performance. Diesel models get nitrogen oxide-reducing BMW BluePerformance technology as standard.
The rest of the BMW 5 Series range is vast and all-encompassing: there is the 550i with 335 kW and 650 Nm of torque; the 535i with 228 kW; the 528i with 182 kW; the 520i with 137 kW on the petrol side. Then on the diesel front: the M550d with 285 kW and the 530d with 192 kW. Look out for them at JIMS 2013 and then on the road before year-end. Expect local pricing details to follow.
