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The 530i comes with a 248-horsepower turbocharged 2-litre inline four-cylinder engine used in lesser BMWs, while the 540i has a more potent 335-horsepower 3-litre inline six-cylinder engine. Other variants are scheduled to follow, including the M550i xDrive with a fire-breathing 456-horsepower turbocharged V-8, as well as its Bizarro World opposite, the 530e plug-in hybrid with an estimated 248 horsepower emanating from its turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electric motor.
While none of that seems too different from the 2016 5 Series, notable changes have been made.
Consider the optional Integral Active Steering, which steers the rear wheels for added agility and stability at speed. Less delightful is the Active Driver Assistant Plus option, which adds semi-autonomous driving assistance at highway speeds. It’ s not that bad, I suppose, as it does take the pain out of rush hour stopand-go crawl by maintaining the vehicle’ s speed for you. The system also regulates the car’ s speed for highway exits and traffic circles. The car’ s Active Lane Keeping
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The 2017 BMW 5 Series’ steering is light and numb, spoiling an otherwise capable car that, when pushed, performs like a BMW 5 Series should
Assistant, however, proved truly devilish, steering the car forcefully back into the lane as you try to clip an apex through a corner. The“ ultimate driving machine?” Only if you don’ t order the Active Lane Keeping Assistant.
Of course, once behind the wheel, you might be surprised to find the driving experience prioritizes comfort as much as driving enthusiasm. The steering is light and numb, spoiling an otherwise capable car that, when pushed, performs like a BMW 5 Series should. Tackle the twisties and the car rewards you as you’ d expect,
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displaying an athleticism that its steering feel doesn’ t suggest. The same can be said of the car’ s compliant ride, which doesn’ t telegraph its abilities, yet has them, as the car corners with the control and ease expected from a 5 Series.
Enhancing its quiet, comfortable, yet incredibly competent attitude is a quietly opulent cabin that spoils its occupants with iDrive 6.0 on a standard high-resolution 10.25-inch screen. BMW’ s infotainment interface will provide hours of entertainment as you work through all of the adjustments offered, as well as optional gesture control, which was cribbed from the all-new BMW 7 Series. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, multicolor headup display, ambient lighting and a Wi-Fi hotspot are standard. See? I told you; it’ s enough to indulge your inner techie.
Well equipped, the 530i sedan will cost somewhere north of 60 grand, with a personality not unlike that of a shrunken 7 Series. While still very much a driver’ s car, the 2017 BMW 5 Series indulges its occupants as well. And isn’ t that what a great luxury sedan should do?
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