Time machine: testing the future BMW 545e
We launched the new Bavarian plug-in hybrid four months before production began.
“Restyling” is usually just a way for car manufacturers to sell their old models to us by replacing one or another element on the bumper or headlights. But from time to time there are exceptions - and here is one of the most striking.
Time machine: driving the future of the BMW 545e
At some point in life, almost every one of us begins to dream of such a business sedan - with six or even eight cylinders. But the funny thing is that when the dream finally comes true, nine times out of ten she buys ... diesel.
Why, only a specialist in behavioral psychology can explain to us. The fact is that many people who can afford to pay 150 thousand leva for such a car do not want to pay 300 or 500 leva a year to drive it on petrol. Or so it has been until now. Starting this fall, their choice will become much easier. The “550i or 530d” dilemma is gone. Instead it costs 545e.
Naturally, the Bavarians still had a plug-in hybrid version in the catalog of their fifth series - 530e. But to beat you, she needed a little extra help, either in the form of a tax credit or subsidy, or more vigilant environmental awareness than you. Because this car was a compromise.
Designed purely for economy, it used an even lower-performing four-cylinder engine than its pure-petrol counterpart. While this car is completely different. There's a six-cylinder beast under the hood here - a very close system to what we've already shown you in the hybrid X5. The battery is larger and easily provides electricity for only fifty kilometers. The electric motor is more powerful, and its total power is almost 400 horsepower. And acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h takes only 4.7 seconds.
So far, this hybrid is even more economical than the previous 530e. But he achieves this not by stinginess, but by intellect. The aerodynamics have been significantly improved, with a drag coefficient of just 0.23. Special wheels reduce it by another 5 percent.
| 394 k. - maximum power 600 Nm max. - torque 4.7 seconds 0-100 km / h 57 km mileage on current |
But the most significant contribution comes from the computer. When you enter hybrid mode, it turns on so-called "active navigation" to assess how to make the most of both blocks. He can even tell you when to release the gas, because you have, say, two kilometers of descent. It sounds trite, but the effect is colossal.
Of course, traditional fans of this company are unlikely to be thrilled with a vehicle that does most of the driving for them. But luckily, only do this when you want.
Like a real BMW, it has a Sport button. And it's worth clicking. This five is something of BMW's "biggest hits": with the sound and capability of a classic inline-six, unparalleled electric motor torque, a perfectly tuned chassis and environmentally friendly low-resistance tires that make it even more fun to corner. And what is most impressive, this feeling does not even come from a finished car.
Because what you are actually seeing is not the real new BMW 5 Series. Its production will begin in November, and we will launch it in July. This is still a pre-production prototype - as close as possible to the final product, but not yet completely identical. This explains the camouflage on our test vehicle.
The differences from the previous car (above) are obvious: smaller headlights, larger grille and air intakes.
However, these shy decals do not hide a major change in the exterior design: smaller headlights, but larger air intakes. and, of course, a large grid. However, this correction, which caused so much controversy in the new Series 7, looks much more harmonious here.
At the rear, the dark taillights are impressive, a solution that shows the handwriting of the former head designer Josef Kaban. It seems to us that this makes the car more compact and dynamic. In fact, it is almost 3 centimeters longer than before.
An eight-speed ZF automatic transmission now comes standard, as does air suspension. Swivel rear wheels are also available as an option.
Inside, the most noticeable difference is a multimedia screen (up to 12 inches in size), behind which lies a new, seventh generation of information system. One of the new systems monitors all the cars around you, including the rear, and can display them in three dimensions on the dashboard. There is also a video of all traffic situations - very useful in insurance cases. The adaptive cruise control works at speeds up to 210 kilometers per hour and can stop safely and safely if you fall asleep at the wheel.
We still don't know much about pricing, but we can assume that this plug-in hybrid will be about the price of a comparable diesel - or even a little cheaper. Is it a dilemma? No, there is no more dilemma here.
