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Press Release | 2021.01.20
BMW THAILAND ROLLS OUT THE NEW BMW 5 SERIES, THE NEXT-LEVEL EXECUTIVE SALOON WITH HEIGHTENED PRESENCE INSIDE AND OUT.
Bangkok. BMW Thailand is embarking on a new chapter in the successful history of its bestselling executive saloon with the new BMW 5 Series. This seventh generation of the 5 Series – offered in 3 variants: BMW 520d M Sport, BMW 530e Elite and BMW 530e M Sport – offers a heightened sense of outward and inward authority along with new driver assistance systems that cement its leading position at the premium end of the executive class in the Thai market.
Mr. Alexander Baraka, President, BMW Group Thailand said, “We are off to a start in 2021 with a facelift of our legendary model – the BMW 5 Series. Since its first introduction in 1972, the 5 Series has been the embodiment of the ultimate business sedan, renowned for its sporting allure, elegance and forward-looking innovations. Today, the new BMW 5 Series is being premiered to Thai fans in diesel and plug-in hybrid variants with extensively updated design to deliver even more eye-catching design accents, coupled with cutting-edge innovations in the areas of driver assistance, driving dynamics and connectivity to ensure driving pleasure in every moment of the journey.”
“In addition, with our ‘Change the way you lead. Lead the way you change.’ launch concept for the new BMW 5 Series, we aim to shed light on how people can make a change to embrace an experience that extends far beyond automobiles and mobility and into a world where professional and personal lives come together in a perfect balance amidst a swirl of changes. This new launch marks not only a new milestone for our iconic model, but also the beginning of yet another exciting chapter for BMW Thailand. While we seem to have another challenging year ahead of us, we are confident that our commitment to bring a distinctive sense of sheer driving pleasure and the power of choice to our customers will stand the test of time.”
Headlining the facelift of the seventh generation BMW 5 Series is the refreshed exterior design that sports eye-catching design accents and clearly structured surfaces at the front and rear. The newly designed BMW kidney grille, larger by 20%, immediately catches the eye with a new, octagonal form. This modern interpretation of the BMW icon adds extra width and height, drops down further into the front apron and is framed by a single-piece surround. Also playing their part in the grille’s arresting appearance are the vertical bars, the top sections of which jut further out. The larger dimensions of the BMW kidney grille provide an attractive contrast against the now slimmer Adaptive LED headlights with L-shaped daytime driving lights to create a focused look. Vertical air intakes on either side of the front apron underscore the exterior’s elegant interplay of lines and give the car an even more expressive appearance.
The gracefully sporting, modern appearance of the new BMW 5 Series is also enhanced at the rear by clear surfacing with minimalist lines. New three-dimensional sculpted LED rear lights with L-shaped light graphic and black edging give the BMW 5 Series its own clear identity. The rear lights and brake lights are integrated into a single light fixture to ensure that the 5 Series exudes considerable visual impact. All models of the new BMW 5 Series come with trapezoidal tailpipe finishers, which are now integrated to the left and right in the rear apron inlay.
The exterior length is now 27 mm longer than its predecessor, making the car 4,963 millimetres in length underscoring the sweeping elegance on display. With a drag coefficient as low as Cd = 0.23, the new BMW 5 Series continues to set the standard for aerodynamics in their respective segments. Along with the M Aerodynamics package, the BMW 520d M Sport also comes equipped with 18-inch M light alloy wheels in Double-spoke style and the 530e M Sport with 19-inch M light alloy wheels in Y-spoke style in bicolour. Meanwhile, the BMW 530e Elite is geared up with 18-inch light alloy wheels in Double-spoke style.
The new BMW 5 Series brings to the table ample performance from conventional and plug-in hybrid drivetrains, featuring the latest generation of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The diesel variant – BMW 520d M Sport – channels its power from a 4-cylinder diesel engine, delivering an output of 140 kW / 190 hp at 4,000 rpm with a maximum torque of up to 400 Nm at 1,750 - 2,500 rpm. The BMW 520d M Sport races from a standstill to 100 km/h within 7.5 seconds to the top speed of 235 km/h. Meanwhile, the 4-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 530e Elite and 530e M Sport provides up to 135 kW / 184 hp at 5,000 - 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 300 Nm at 1,350 - 4,000 rpm. When combined with the plug-in hybrid drivetrain system, the maximum output jumps to 215 kW / 292 hp with a combined maximum torque of 420 Nm. With the added dose of sporting flair from the XtraBoost feature, which adds an additional 40 hp for up to 10 seconds and is available in SPORT driving mode, the PHEV model accelerates from 0-100 km/h within 5.9 seconds with a speed threshold in hybrid-mode at 235 km/h. The all-electric driving range enabled from the 12.0-kWh high-voltage battery under the rear seat bench is at 52 km according to the NEDC test cycle. Based on the ECO Sticker testing report for the large passenger car category, the combined CO2 emission of the BMW 530e Elite and BMW 530e M Sport is as low as 41 g/km – putting both models in the top ranking within the group of large plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in the ECO Sticker information base.
The new BMW 5 Series models, like their predecessors, come with all the right qualities for offering supremely assured, sporty handling: a long wheelbase and wide tracks, minimised weight rooted in intelligent lightweight design, and perfect 50:50 weight distribution. The chassis featuring a double-wishbone front axle and five-link rear axle has likewise been tuned with the specific aim of blending well-resolved everyday driving characteristics, long-distance comfort and driving pleasure of high dynamic intensity. In addition, the Integral Active Steering equipped in the BMW 530e M Sport has a wider operating range than before. The rear wheels now participate in steering as soon as the vehicle’s speed rises above 3 km/h, increasing agility when parking. The PHEV model is equipped with Adaptive Suspension while the diesel variant comes with M Sport suspension.
The cutting-edge driver assistance systems are on hand to ease the driver’s workload in monotonous situations and pave the way for automated driving. The BMW 520d M Sport and BMW 530e M Sport are fitted as standard with Driving Assistant package along with Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function in the BMW 530e M Sport, while the BMW 520d M Sport and 530e Elite delivers Cruise Control with braking function. The Attentiveness Assistant is included in all three variants. Peace of mind is further ensured with numerous safety systems in all three models, such as Crash sensor, Side impact protection, Active Protection, and Park Distance Control (PDC). In addition to Surround view camera, the Parking Assistant Plus in the BMW 530e M Sport provides extra safety and convenience especially in parallel and perpendicular parking spaces.
On the inside, the new BMW 5 Series builds upon the successful blending of contemporary elegance with driver-focused cockpit design and therefore provides the ideal environment for driving pleasure and comfortable progress over long distances. High-quality materials and precise workmanship bring a modern, premium ambience to the new 5 Series’ cabin. The buttons on the centre console now have surfacing in High-gloss Black adding more luxurious touch to the interior. In addition to the M Sport leather steering wheel with newly arranged multifunction buttons in the BMW 520d M Sport and 530e M Sport, the new BMW 5 Series also offers seats upholstered in Dakota leather. The BMW 520d M Sport and 530e M Sport also comes with instrument panel in Sensatec and Aluminium Rhombicle Smoke Grey interior trim finishers with Pearl Chrome highlight while the 530e Elite is decorated with black high-gloss interior trim finishers with Pearl Chrome.
The key change in BMW 520d M Sport and 530e M Sport also includes the modern infotainment system like BMW Head-up Display and the latest BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 12.3-inch Control Display running the latest BMW Operating System 7, which opens up greater range of personalisation options. As part of Comfort Access, the BMW Digital Key turns the Apple iPhone into a car key – enabling up to 5 users of the new BMW 5 Series sedan to unlock and lock the vehicle via Near Field Communication (NFC). Control of the vehicle, infotainment, communication and navigation functions is based on the proven approach of allowing customers to choose between the Control Display’s touchscreen, the iDrive Touch Controller, the controls on the steering wheel, voice control using the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant or BMW gesture control.
The BMW 520d M Sport is available at THB 3,539,000. The BMW 530e Elite is priced at THB 2,999,000, while the BMW 530e M Sport is available at THB 3,739,000. All three variants come with the BSI Standard package, providing 3 years / 60,000 km. of maintenance and 3 years / unlimited mileage of warranty. All three variants are available in three colors – Alpine White, Black Sapphire metallic, Bluestone metallic and Phytonic Blue – while the 520d M Sport and 530e M Sport also offer an additional choice in Bernina Grey Amber effect.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2019, the BMW Group recorded new all-time highs with over 2.5 million passenger vehicles, an increase of 1.2% from the previous year, and 175,000 motorcycles, up 5.8% year-on-year, delivered to customers worldwide. Global sales of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles grew by 2.2% to 145,815 cars, taking the total number of electrified BMW Group vehicles on the road to half a million. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 133,778 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
BMW Group Thailand
BMW Group Thailand, a subsidiary of BMW AG, Germany, was established on the 3rd October 1998. The three entities of BMW Group Thailand are BMW (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for wholesales & marketing of BMW Group products, BMW Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for BMW and BMW Motorrad local production, and BMW Leasing (Thailand) Co., Ltd. with responsibility for financial services offerings to both wholesale and retail customers.
In 2019, BMW Group Thailand recorded a stable performance with 12,954 BMW and MINI deliveries. The sales of MINI in Thailand achieved the highest growth rate across MINI’s global networks with 1,204 deliveries, growing by 15% year-on-year. BMW’s luxury segment also enjoyed remarkable results from sales volume of the BMW 7 Series, BMW 8 Series, BMW X7, and BMW i8, recording double-digit growth at 39% year-on-year, while the BMW Premium Selection certified used car program grew by 16% year-on-year.
On the production side, the BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand plant was founded on BMW Group’s strong belief in the growth potential of Asian markets and Thailand in particular with its unique location, strong manufacturing base, and ready supply of skilled automotive labor, being an automotive hub for ASEAN. On-going investment has been put into the expansion of plant Rayong in terms of assembling processes, aiming to meet growing customer demand. In addition, with approximately 4 billion Thai Baht representing the amount of annual purchasing in Thailand, the BMW Global Purchasing office has been established in Thailand. This is to source various components from local suppliers in Thailand and the broader ASEAN region, in order to supply the entire BMW production network of 31 production and assembly facilities, located in 15 countries worldwide.
BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand produces the following 16 models: BMW 2 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW X1, BMW X3 and BMW X5. For BMW Motorrad, the BMW F 900 R, BMW F 900 XR, BMW F 750 GS, BMW F 850 GS, BMW F 850 GS Adventure, BMW R 1250 GS, BMW R 1250 GS Adventure, BMW S 1000 R and BMW S 1000 RR are also locally assembled at the plant. In addition, BMW Group Manufacturing Thailand now assembles five BMW plug-in hybrid models; BMW 330e, BMW 530e, BMW X3 xDrive30e, BMW X5 xDrive45e and BMW 745Le xDrive.
For further information, please contact:
BMW Group Thailand
1397
www.bmw.co.th
www.mini.co.th
www.bmw-motorrad.co.th
Media Contacts:
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sboonsaeng@carlbyoir.com, tthongnab@carlbyoir.com, pthanawajeran@carlbyoir.com, ptoonkamthornchai@carlbyoir.com