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DOMINIC FRASER

5 ways the BMW 5 Series has changed through 5 decades

The iconic BMW 5 Series has been relaunched in Ireland. It’s changed a bit since 1972.

THE FIRST GENERATION BMW 5 Series was launched 45 years ago, in 1972. It followed on from the very popular Neue Klasse (New Class) range of saloons and coupes produced from 1962 to 1977.

The 5 Series began life in 1970 as the 220TI Garmish by Bertone prototype which was turned into a production car by BMW design boss Paul Bracq. This design led the foundations for one of the manufacturer’s most successful lines.

It also heralded the introduction of BMW’s now-standard three-digit naming format. The first digit indicates the model series and the following two digits represented the engine’s cubic capacity. The first model was the 520i and had a four-cylinder engine producing 125hp.

Just a few weeks ago the very latest seventh-generation BMW 5 Series was launched in Ireland. Here, we take a look at the things that have changed.

1. The styling: from shark to swank

eb.andriuolo eb.andriuolo

The first 5 Series had a now-famous wedge-shaped grille designed to look like the front of a shark, with two sets of round headlights that were 20cm in diameter.

This time round the design takes cues from the 7 Series and not the Jaws series. The new front end features a chunky chrome frame, LED headlights that flow into the kidney grille and a bolder looking air intake just below it.

2. The technology: parking is so 1972

eb.andriuolo eb.andriuolo

With the original BMW 5 Series you had to park the car yourself, like a pleb. This new model can be fitted with the optional Parking Assistant Plus so the car parks itself – all the driver has to do is flick a switch and the car seeks out appropriate parking spaces.

When one has been found the driver turns on the indicator, holds their finger on a button and takes their hands off the wheel and feet off the pedals. The system then parks the vehicle parallel or perpendicular to the lane completely automatically. It selects the forward or reverse gear, takes control of steering and automatically accelerates or brakes as necessary. Once the manoeuvre has been completed, the system selects Park on the transmission.

3. The engines: a slight performance improvement

DOMINIC FRASER DOMINIC FRASER

The original E12 520i model was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. It produced 115hp and 162Nm of pulling power. The car had a top speed of 175km/h and 0-100km/h time of 11.8 seconds.

The entry-level petrol 530i of the new model range is powered by a TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder unit mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With 252hp, it has a top speed of 250km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.

This new engine has a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.8 litres/100km (48.7mpg), which thankfully is a huge improvement over the 10.7 litres/100km (26mpg) figure of the original model.

4. The interior: from optional radio to 16-speaker surround sound

DOMINIC FRASER DOMINIC FRASER

Much like the interior of the original E12 model the cabin of this new G30 model is spacious and comfortable. However, the new cabin features a 10.25-inch touchscreen with voice and gesture control as well as a heads-up display that shows basic information, such as speed, as well as alerting you to potential hazards.

There are now seats with massage functions as an option, and a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond surround sound system with 16 speakers. The radio or radio with tape deck was an optional extra on the original model and featured one speaker.

(Incidentally, the original 5 Series was the first BMW to have the indicator stalk on the left-hand side of the steering wheel.)

5. The drive

Farzadhosseini Farzadhosseini

Whereas the original BMW 5 Series just, well, drove… the new BMW 5 Series has three different driving modes as standard; Comfort, Eco Pro and Sport.

The car also has the BMW Adaptive Drive system, which uses sensors to monitor vehicle speed, steering-wheel position and forces acting on the chassis and adjusts the stabilisers and the dampers to counteract the forces that cause body roll. Adaptive Drive even adjusts the suspension settings to suit the character of the road surface.

Steven Tyler PJs Steven Tyler PJs

READ: We test drive the new Peugeot 3008 on Irish roads >

READ: 5 actual road cars that were inspired by Formula One >

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    Mute Government Sachs
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    Apr 4th 2017, 9:33 AM

    I used to be able to identify any bmw model from 300 meters away, now I find it difficult to tell them apart when standing in front of them. Good job bmw for making all your cars look alike.

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    Mute Neville Patterson
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    Apr 4th 2017, 11:09 AM

    @Government Sachs: and Audi and ford….

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    Mute Oliver Crowe
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    Apr 4th 2017, 7:17 PM

    @Government Sachs: Mercedes Have done the exact same thing

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    Mute James O'Brien
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    Apr 5th 2017, 5:40 PM

    @Government Sachs: Reminds me of samsung phones..

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    Mute kevin
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    Apr 4th 2017, 1:01 PM

    Don’t forget the extra 20-30% tax that they add on in Ireland. Every tom dick and harry can afford a BMW in Britain but over here it’s a luxury car…

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    Mute John Deed
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    Apr 4th 2017, 1:32 PM

    @kevin: that’s what we got from our so called government of wasters.

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    Mute ed w
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    Apr 4th 2017, 10:24 AM

    There’s an awful lot of mention of options in that article. Do you get anything in an irish poverty spec one . You know seats steering wheel etc.

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    Mute Shakka1244
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    Apr 4th 2017, 9:24 AM

    5 decades of BMW drivers owning the road

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    Mute eastsmer #IRExit
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    Apr 4th 2017, 9:11 AM

    Oh – that explains it -
    “Incidentally, the original 5 Series was the first BMW to have the indicator stalk on the left-hand side of the steering wheel.”

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    Mute Nasir Naz
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    Apr 5th 2017, 4:59 PM

    uk get the best spec cars because most irish people don’t care about extras or keeping it clean. i certainly love my specs and keeping my baby clean

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    Mute cortisola
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    Apr 4th 2017, 5:38 PM
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    Mute Dub_Right
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    Apr 5th 2017, 11:43 AM

    What’s the difference between a Hedgehog and a BMW?

    With the Hedgehog the Pr*cks are on the outside!

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