Review of the new BMW 525i

While the column inches may go to the powerhouse models, cars like the 525i are the ones destined to achieve the sort of volume sales that made the previous generation 5 Series the default choice for any hard-driving executive. Like proper old-school BMWs, the 525i boasts an engine that corresponds to its name - in this case a 2.5-litre six-cylinder Valvetronic powerplant now improved with the addition of regenerative braking technology.

As part of the most recent facelift BMW introduced Brake Energy Regeneration, a key component of its Efficient Dynamics programme which aims to deliver "more power for less fuel in a lower-weight vehicle". The system uses a special alternator to recharge the car's battery on the overrun or under braking to boost efficiency. Engine performance was also improved through the use of High Precision Fuel Injection. The maximum output is now 218bhp, while torque is up to 270Nm. The result is a car that posts a zero to 62mph time of 7.1 seconds, a top speed of 154mph and a combined fuel consumption of 38.2mpg.

There's also the '+' version of BMW's acclaimed Dynamic Stability Control System included as standard. DSC+ adds five features to the standard DSC: Brake Standby, Rain Brake Support, Hill Start Assist, Fading Compensation and Soft Stop. All of which means that if you can afford prices which start at £30,560 for the SE and M Sport saloon and Touring estate models available, the only real drawback is that there's a mechanically similar 523i model which costs £1,500 less and is nearly as fast.

The once radical shape of the 5 Series has now matured nicely into a discreet but smart piece of design. In a bid to keep things fresh, BMW has made a few small changes to the latest car. At the front, the headlights and indicators are now clear glass while the kidney grille sits flush with the bumper. The air duct in the rear valance has been revised while the side sill gets an additional contour line and horizontal LEDs are used in the rear light cluster. Inside, the door panels and window switches have been redesigned and there's now eight freely programmable 'favourites' buttons on the dashboard so that drivers don't have to use the infernal iDrive control system quite so much. There's also an optional Lane Departure warning system offered.

The 5 Series remains a big but not bulky car. The saloon gets decent space up front with slightly below average rear leg room and a 520-litre boot. Measuring 4.48m in length, the Touring estate features a 535-litre load capacity with the 60/40 split folding rear seats in place and a hefty 1,650 litres with the seats folded down. There's also a split bootlid with the rear window opening separately for the easy loading of small items. Customers can also opt for a fully-automatic tailgate operation with a press on the key fob opening the hatch and simultaneously retracting the boot load cover.

"The 525i is a very good blend between power and economy"

Dynamic Drive, BMW's active suspension system is available as an option, and Active Cruise Control, a system that automatically controls distances to the car in front, is also available to order. BMW hasn't left too many safety features out of the 5 Series. Brake Force Display is an interesting concept, enlarging the brake light area when the driver really anchors on. Another first for BMW is Adaptive Headlights - a feature many will associate more with Citroen. This system, sadly still an option, swivels the headlights by up to 15 degrees left and right to illuminate more of the road through a bend. Unlike Citroen's rudimentary old mechanical system, this calculates speed, yaw rate and steering angle before steering the beams. Another technology 'borrowed' from another manufacturer - in this case Chevrolet - is a Head-Up Display that projects information onto the windscreen.

The 525i SE offers a six-speed manual gearbox, air-conditioning, Parking Distance Control, 17" alloy wheels, electrically adjustable seats and Brake Force Display, BMW's novel safety system that increases brake light intensity the harder you hammer the middle pedal. Upgrade to the M Sport trim level and you get some of the M5's styling flair without the price tag. You know the drill, wider air intakes, bigger wheels, sports suspension, flared side sills, it will prove a popular choice even at what is a sizable premium. Tempting options also include Active Steering, Dynamic Drive, a lane departure warning system, adaptive xenon headlamps and dealers will also take orders for the Heads-Up Display system that projects important safety and driver information into the driver's line of sight on the windscreen.

BMW faces a tough task with the latest Five Series but it's a job which has been made a whole lot easier by the latest revisions. Going for the diesel 525d version is now, in this case, no longer the default option. You really will need to try both and do some serious calculator work before choosing.

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