Test BMW 540i, 340 hp in a "mini" Series 7

With the Mercedes E-Class fresh from the oven, the Bavarian brand had to respond forcefully. The brand with the rings, the third in discord, had not yet launched its new Audi A6, but in Munich the machines were working at full capacity to have the new BMW 5 Series ready before the star gained ground. Finally, the cake was uncovered. New face, new weapons, and a tech cast that some starships could wish for. We start the test of the new BMW 540i, a car that once again sets the bar very high. We cannot press the button without first thanking Mandel Motor BMW Badajoz for giving us this impressive unit. Now yes, we start

Halfway between midsize sedans such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class, and "the best of the most", such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class, there are three models that, like the previous ones, have been enemies since birth . The Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class are oriented towards a wealthy type of client, who is looking for more space but who does not want to have "a boat" in his garage either. They leave sensations of a representation saloon, those mentioned above, without robbing your checking account so forcefully. An option to take into account if you are looking for a comfortable, refined and well-positioned car.

A "mini" Series 7

Precisely the new BMW 5 Series It is notably inspired by its big brother, the BMW 7 Series. The inspiration is such that many speak of a miniature 7 Series. Be that as it may, it is true that the design of the 5 Series puts us squarely in a 7 Series atmosphere, since both the front, the profile, and the rear finishes have been completed with the same brush. No doubt where the new saloon takes the cake it is in the front. Gain strength, risk a little more. The new BMW 5 Series looks at us in this edition with more sportiness thanks to the line of the pilots, the well-known ribs of the hood and the design of the bumper.

Don't get me wrong though. I told you that the front takes the cake, yes, but not for that reason they have neglected the rear. On this occasion the tables turn, and if from my eyes I tell you that the front gains sportiness, the rear also wins, but elegance. The finesse of the pilots is responsible, despite the fact that with the double trapezoidal exhaust outlet, that daring side is sought that can never be missing in the exterior design of a BMW. The line reaches this area in a clean way, because in the profile we see some more aesthetic nerve and little else. Well yes, the finish that we also see in the 7 Series in the lower part near the side skirts.

Up to 100kg. lighter

One of the keys to the body of the new BMW 5 Series is the work they have completed in terms of materials. Thanks to the use of lighter elements They have managed to stop the scale by 100 kg. before, subtracting all that weight to the body of the model. All this taking into account that it gains in centimeters, finishing with 4,93 m long, 1,47 m high and 1,86 m wide. In addition, he also wins in options, finding different let's call them "suits" to dress his body. The most elegant, and the one you see in the image, since it is the one that shines in our test unit, is the Luxury finish, which starts at about 4.349 euros. For about 3.077 euros you can count on the Sport line, which is more oriented towards that sporty side. Although for sportsmanship we have the well-known M package, which will increase the rate by around 6.272 euros.

Retailer

The sensations that I find in the passenger compartment of the new BMW 5 Series are similar to what I would find, I say, because if I check it out I would have to feed on the air for a few months, in the first class seats of an airplane. These huge seats, which are ventilated, covered in leather and have a massage function, seem to tell my back that “it's home”. The rest Significantly improved over the last generation. New instrumentation, digital and with a much more attractive finish than the analog one, and a center console that, as usual, is oriented towards the driver.

La big screen that are located at the top of the aforementioned center console is the one that collects much of the information from the different systems of the new BMW 5 Series. It is tactile, has a correct height, located in view with a simple turn of the head, and It has a size of 10,25 inches. In addition, we will point to it when we want to use gesture control, one of the modern systems that accompany this generation. Meanwhile, the transmission tunnel is complete with the elegant gear selector, the steering wheel infotainment system and some buttons, such as the one that gives access to the different driving modes.

The new BMW 5 Series seeks to convince us also when we get on it, which is why no detail of the cabin has been left to chance. Depending on the three finishes that we have mentioned, the interior will look more elegant or more sporty, although in general we can conclude with some ideas. Without a doubt what I liked the most is the cleanliness and order that is breathed, although the new steering wheel has also taken a little piece of my heart. BMW interiors have a reputation for being Spartan, feelings that have changed over the generations. In addition, quality is its hallmark, and it is paramount in this segment, finding soft materials both in the highest areas of the dashboard and under it.

More spacious than the previous

Analyzing the space of the BMW 5 Series, I focus on its rear seats, because in the front row it was to be expected that bells at your ease. The rear row gains a few centimeters and improves with respect to the F10 generation. The occupants of these seats will now travel more comfortably, having more space for the knees. Even the third seat invites you to travel, because although the transmission tunnel can bother the width is correct. As for the trunk, I can tell you that it will not be the section that will tip the balance between it and the Mercedes E-Class. The capacity is 530 l., similar to that of the star, and the dimensions, with a wide mouth and some usable forms, are successful.

Gentleman like the most

Except for the noise that emanates from the rear, well you should know that under the skin of this BMW 5 Series there are more than 300 horsepower wanting to gallop, the rest of the sensations are rather oriented towards smoothness. And it is that this new generation is at the level of the previous edition of the 7 Series in comfort, because it seems that the wheels are skimming the road with the same harmony and softness as the stick caresses the strings of the violin. I risk to assure that it is the most outstanding part of this section, although there are still more.

BMW 540i, the most powerful gasoline… at the moment

Right now I'm riding the most powerful BMW 5 Series G30 that the brand sells. While the M5 is still in its cave waiting to come out and bite the Mercedes-AMG E63 and the Audi RS6 Avant, the 540i will continue to be the most powerful “gasoline” 5 G30 Series. And I highlight the word gasoline in quotes because the company presented in this last month the BMW M550d xDrive, the king of the diesel range that has a four-turbocharged engine and 400 horsepower. In the same way, the brand plans a 550-horsepower M462i xDrive, although we have not seen it yet.

Despite what has been explained, the BMW 540i does not stand out for its sportiness. Yes, you're right, it doesn't come with the M Sport package. And yes, you're right, it's not an M5. But it has a six-cylinder mechanic and 340 horsepower, so don't blame me if I miss a bit of sportsmanship. I also don't want you to get the wrong idea. It is not that this 540i does not run, because in it we see more horses than at the Seville fair. Of course not. But he is not radical, he squeezes you like a novice masseur, very carefully. Even so, do not forget, in case you want to underestimate it, that it declares 450 Nm of torque and an acceleration of 0-100 km/h that is close to 5 seconds, faster than some respected sports cars.

The driving modes It gives you the ability to adapt to any situation. If you find yourself crossing the city, the best option is to activate the Eco mode, as it will subtract the power input and compact the total consumption. If you travel on the highway with the Comfort option, you should know that you will not have the set prepared for sporty driving, but it will be ready to face normal traffic situations. If you want to get the most out of your BMW 5 Series it will be better to select Sport, because both the calibration and the direction and power delivery will be ready for fun

The definition of smooth

c boxZF eight-speed automatic transmission, which by the way is mounted on all the standard versions except the 520d, is another of the wonders of this new BMW 5 Series. In that smoothness that I have been talking about for several paragraphs, the transmission is very much to blame. Fast, precise, smooth... Little more to say. If I had to make a list of my favorite transmissions there would be a technical tie between this one and the Porsche PDK. And if we take into account that the PDK is the queen… I am silent again.

The adjustment of the tare takes the other part of that fault that leads the BMW 5 Series to give me the sensation of being mounted on a 7 Series. There is no pothole, irregularity, speed bump, that my back can feel. It's all under control. In the same way, despite eating the potholes as it does with the cookies, the monster of that same food does not balance in changes of support in a notable way, or you feel sensations of a ship. Do not forget that it weighs 1.670 kg. and measures almost five meters, a weight on the other hand not bad for a car of this size and position, and even so the sensations in tight turns are good.

At the forefront of technology

BMW bets on technology in the new BMW 5 Series as it did in its older brother, the 7 Series. I have to tell you that this unit of the BMW 540i is the most technological car that I have tested, since it mounts all the systems that the catalog of the Bavarian brand makes available to the customer. One of the ones that caught my attention the most is the automatic parking assistant, an element that is more attractive than practical as it manages to move the vehicle at low speed without a driver in the passenger compartment. Its usefulness would come in situations in which access to the passenger compartment is complicated, although the driver in practice will activate this function on rare occasions.

All the Keys of the model are a real joy. It seems that you are carrying a mobile, because its finish and control is similar. With them you can activate the air conditioning, check if the lights are on or a window is down or even control the autonomy of the vehicle. From the same command you will activate the aforementioned automatic parking system, a simple control that in most cases takes time to start but works correctly.

El gesture control is another of the novelties of this generation G30, an option that we knew with the Series 7. Closing the list of outstanding novelties that I have been able to try would be the semi-autonomous driving system that BMW proposes. It is activated from the same steering wheel and is capable of controlling the direction for a few seconds, keeping the vehicle in the lane and within the established speed limits. After 10 seconds, depending on traffic conditions, it will ask you to take the wheel again. After completing this order, the vehicle will take control again.

Finishes new BMW 5 Series

Luxury (4.394 euros)

• 18-inch wheels
• Noble wood cladding
• Aluminum moldings
• Exterior Chrome Line
• Dakota leather
• Sports steering wheel
• LED fog lights
• Sensatec Dashboard

Sports (3.077 euros)

• 18-inch wheels
• Gloss black coating
• Aluminum moldings
• Fabric/leather combination
• Sports seats
• Sports steering wheel
• LED fog lights
• Sports automatic transmission

M sports package (6.272 euros)

• Color Alpinweiss
• 18-inch wheels
• Aluminum moldings
• Fabric 'Rhombicle'/Alcantara
• Single Shadow Line
• Suspension M
• Sports seats
• M aerodynamic package
• anthracite ceiling
• Steering wheel M
• M brakes
• Sports automatic transmission

Prices new BMW 5 Series

Thanks to Mandel Engine BMW Badajoz for giving up this test unit.

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