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February 25, 2015
A Drive in the BMW 5 Series, the Backbone of BMW
BMW 5 Series | BMW 5 Series
Pursuing Core Values
Test Drive: The BMW 5 Series, the Backbone of BMW (1)
In Japan, the 5 Series holds the top sales record among BMW's sedan lineup. Its spacious body, nearly five meters long, is paired with conservative yet universally appealing styling. Perhaps its understated nature is what resonates with so many.
Text by OGAWA FumioPhoto by ARAKAWA Masayuki
BMW's Signature: The Straight-Six
The 5 Series sedan lineup is rich, starting with the 523i, followed by the 528i, 535i, and the 550i. The engine displacement varies considerably, from the 2-liter unit in the 523i to the 4.4-liter in the 550i.
While BMW consistently aims for sporty car manufacturing, emphasizing power and torque, in recent years, they have also focused on environmental performance. This is evident in their efforts to improve fuel efficiency by reducing displacement through the use of turbochargers.
The 535i (¥8.35 million) features BMW's beloved inline-six engine and rear-wheel drive. The packaging, designed to achieve a near 50:50 front-rear weight distribution, and this mechanical layout will likely remain unchanged until the advent of electric vehicles. The 'straight-six' has been BMW's hallmark since the 1960s, and regardless of actual efficiency, it remains a valuable 'icon' for long-time BMW fans.
While keeping the displacement to 3 liters, it achieves a maximum output of 305 ps through advanced head control technologies like Double VANOS variable valve timing and Valvetronic variable valve lift, coupled with a twin-scroll turbocharger designed to provide broad response from low to high RPMs by varying its capacity.
BMW 5 Series | BMW 5 Series
Pursuing Core Values
Test Drive: The BMW 5 Series, the Backbone of BMW (2)
Test Drive: M Sport Package Equipped Model
The excellence of the 535i lies in its ability to balance comfort with a sporty character, even with its powerful engine. In short, it's a superb car.
The test car featured here is equipped with the optional 'M Sport Package' (¥370,000), which includes sports suspension, but the ride comfort is still excellent. With ample torque available from very low RPMs, and within the spacious cabin, one can enjoy a comfortable drive. The quietness is also notable; while the exhaust note might be slightly emphasized, wind noise is kept to a minimum, conveying a strong sense of luxury.
On the other hand, when you want to push it, it's remarkably fast. Benefiting from the '8-speed Sport Automatic Transmission' included in the 'M Sport Package,' the inline-six engine instantly delivers ample torque in response to even slight movements of the accelerator pedal, allowing the 1,820kg vehicle to accelerate with agility, regardless of the RPM.
The beauty of BMW engines lies in their ability to provide a sense of torque even at low RPMs, while also offering the joy of revving up to high RPMs and delivering power, much like a small sports car engine. This remains true for the latest generation of straight-sixes. The car responds instantly as the revs climb to 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 rpm, accelerating to incredible speeds. It's a mismatch for a 5-meter-long four-door sedan, and this is perhaps the true essence of BMW.
BMW 5 Series | BMW 5 Series
Pursuing Core Values
Test Drive: The BMW 5 Series, the Backbone of BMW (3)
Despite its Large Body, the Pinnacle of Sports Driving is Fully Apparent
The handling of the 535i also has many noteworthy aspects. From the body control when initiating a turn, to precise line tracing, stability through corners, and the geometry control that maximizes power delivery to the rear wheels when accelerating out of a corner... the superb elements that define a BMW culminate here.
The fact that you don't feel the car's size is a testament to the 535i's natural handling. The immediate response of the car when you turn the steering wheel, its flawless tracking of subtle movements, and the abundant torque available from anywhere create a sense of bliss for the driver.
Compared to rivals like the Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class, the 5 Series' distinctive feature is, perhaps, its unwavering focus. The pursuit of BMW's core value of sporty driving has been successfully realized, despite the car's size.
BMW 5 Series | BMW 5 Series
Pursuing Core Values
Test Drive: The BMW 5 Series, the Backbone of BMW (4)
The Matching of Timeless Styling and Distinctive Driving
Perhaps the styling is a point of contention. The BMW studio, led by Dutch design director Adrian van Hooydonk, has given the 5 Series a very conventional design – one might say it's merely a skin draped over a chassis to meet aerodynamic requirements.
During the era when American Chris Bangle reigned over the design studio, they extensively adopted an approach known as 'surface developing,' expressing design through surfaces rather than lines. The previous Z4 is a prime example of this.
However, recent models have shown changes, such as bold character lines on the body sides. Whether this indicates BMW design is in a transitional phase or experiencing uncertainty is unclear, but it is evolving. The 5 Series' styling also seems to reflect this trend.
In other words, it has a subdued, somewhat unmemorable styling, but once you drive it, you experience a strong, unique character. It's unclear how consciously BMW intended this combination, given their past emphasis on strong styling, but it seems to be working well in the Japanese market. This, too, is part of the enjoyment of driving.
BMW 535i Sedan | BMW 535i Sedan
Body Size | Length 4,910 x Width 1,860 x Height 1,475mm
Wheelbase | 2,970mm
Vehicle Weight | 1,820kg
Engine | 3.0-liter inline-six
Maximum Output | 305 ps (225 kW) / 5,800 rpm
Maximum Torque | 400 Nm / 1,200-5,000 rpm
Transmission | Electronically controlled 8-speed AT
10・15 Mode Fuel Economy | 12.8 km/ℓ
Price | ¥8.4 million