Can a facelift for the Five Series reignite Kiwi consumer interest?

THE BMW that meant a lot more in the past than it perhaps does in the present is facing up to the future with a refreshed look.

No argument about the Five Series’ – it’s still an important car to Munich, but the shift away from orthodox wagons and sedans to crossovers and full blown SUVs means its standing has become progressively historic. Still, that it won the inaugural New Zealand Car of the Year, in 1988, and snared the NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild title again in 2010 reminds that it has made a real imprint.

Can that allure continue? Five Series volume last year being less than a third of the count for the X5 that has progressively become more divorced from the road car suggests it is now something of a niche attraction.

Nonetheless, if street presence still counts for anything, then the updated line that BMW has just revealed ahead of expected arrival herein October surely stands a chance of winning interest?

A new-look, slimmed LED headlight cluster that eschews the hexagonal design of the outgoing model for an L-shaped motif also seen on the updated 7 Series, plus employment of a longer and wider grille deliver a sleeker look than the present product offers. Those lights are really high-end items too, being full LED beams with cornering function as standard. Even higher-tech BMW Laserlights avail as an option.

The L-shaped signature continues at the rear with a lightly restyled light cluster, while all grades will now come with trapezoidal exhaust tips.

New colours and alloy wheel designs are on the delivery sheet, while the M Sport exterior design package promises to be beefier than before.

Almost all four and six-cylinder models now get 48-volt mild-hybrid electrification. The system (in effect an integrated starter/generator that’s coupled to a small additional battery) produces up to 8kW to help with overtaking, off-the-line acceleration and stop-start situations.

Inside, the 10.25-inch infotainment screen has been increased to 12.3-inches across the range to go with the redesigned centre console controls, while all variants now come with a leather multifunction sports steering wheel.

BMW New Zealand has yet to divulge exactly how many of the 16 variants the portfolio will come here, however it’s fair to say that whatever signs off for Australia will land here as well, so close is the transtasman association and management structure.

In that light, then, the range will include the M550i xDrive with its 390kW/750Nm twin-turbo V8. BMW in Melbourne is also relating interest in two other full petrol engines and plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

Thought is that the petrol variants will be the entry-level 520i with its 135kW/290Nm turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, and the mid-range 530i, with the same engine boosted to produce 185kW/350Nm, while the 530e is rated as being a good starter for the PHEV duty. That model marries the 520i’s engine with an 80kW electric motor for a combined 215kW/420Nm.

That M550i will continue in its role of impressing as a pseudo M5. It’s a four-wheel-drive model that gets an M Sport differential and adaptive suspension and is rated to see off 100kmh in just 3.8 seconds.

On the safety front, the lane departure warning system now features steering assistance to return the car to the middle of the lane, while the range of functions in the Parking Assistant suite has been expanded to include reversing assistant, which enables self-backing for distances of up to 50 metres.

Wireless Apple CarPlay continues and Android Auto is now available, while BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant functionality has been expanded, with the ability to install updates over the air.