2017 BMW 540i first drive

Among the diesels is BMW’s latest 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 187bhp and 295lb ft in the expected volume seller of the new 5 Series line-up, the £36,025 520d. Also planned from the outset is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel that provides the £43,835 330d with 261bhp and a generous 457lb ft.

Gearbox choices continue to include either a six-speed manual (standard on the 520d) or eight-speed automatic (standard on 530i, 540i and 530d). Both units have been heavily upgraded, bringing what BMW describes as greater levels or refinement and, in combination with the new engines, overall efficiency gains compared with the old model. With a combined average of 40.9mpg, the rear-wheel-drive 540i betters the old 535i by an impressive 5.6mpg.

Although the conservative styling fails to convey it, the new 5 Series has been comprehensively re-engineered in a concerted bid by BMW to catapult its new mid-range saloon well ahead of its main executive class rivals. Central to the changes is a brand new platform and heavily updated 12-volt electrical architecture, both of which are shared with the latest 7-series.

Although eschewing the expensive carbonfibre structural elements of its larger sibling, it also gains a greater percentage of aluminium and hot formed high strength steel within its body in a move that has resulted in a reduction of 95kg in the 540i compared to the older 535i. At the same time, torsional rigidity has been improved, providing the basis for what is described as a new direction in chassis tuning. The 5 Series also benefits from a new electric steering system and heavily reworked double wishbone front suspension. 

New engineered front seats with firmer cushioning also provide greater levels of support and comfort, making the new model a more pleasant place in which to travel long distances.

Among the more significant interior appointments is the latest generation of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. It uses a new 10.3in touchscreen mounted on top of the dashboard and angled slightly towards the driver. As before, its redesigned menus can be operated via a rotary controller with a touch function. Alternatively, the new 5 Series offers standard touch as well as updated gesture and speech control systems from the 7 Series as an option.

Another noteworthy inclusion is BMW latest autonomous driving function, which allows you to perform lane changes between speeds of 44mph and 112mph at the simple application of the blinker without the need for steering input. It works well, accelerating, steering and, when necessary, braking the car on its own. However, it only allows brief periods of hands-off motoring before an alarm prompts you to take the wheel again.

Our test car came with adaptive dampers, which will be offered as a £985 option in the UK. So configured, the new 5 Series offers a noticeably more cosseting ride in Comfort mode than its predecessor, both around town and out on the open road.

Switch the 540i into Sport mode and it really comes alive. The Drive Experience function primes the throttle, engine, gearbox, steering and suspension to their most athletic settings, providing the 540i with pleasantly precise, engagingly willing and, in rear-wheel drive guise at least, entertaining traits. It’s rather quick, too. Official performance claims point to a 0-62mph time of just 5.1.sec, which makes the rear-drive 540i some 0.7sec quicker than the old 535i.