The new 5 steps up the previously mentioned BMWs' athleticism to otherworldly levels, especially when fitted with the brand's optional active steering. Active what? You probably have heard of active suspension, but most likely have never caught wind of active steering. To put it bluntly, it's bloody incredible!
 |
| When equipped with BMW's optional active steering, the 5-Series is simply astounding. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
BMW set up an autocross route with two long slaloms, a few low and high-speed lane changes and a couple of sharp 90-degree corners, some to be taken at high velocity and others at a crawl. Paired against the active steering test car was a near identical 530i, sans the 18-inch rims, runflat tires and active roll stabilization (ARS). Of course ARS made a difference during the high-speed sections, as did the runflat 18-inch tires with their stiffer sidewalls, but it was the direct turn-in of the active steering equipped car that astounded me.
 |
| One of the criticisms from the previous 5-Series was the somewhat cramped interior, which has been overcome with the new car. (Photo: BMW AG) |
Through the slalom reaction to steering input was so crisp I found myself clipping the cones, sending the track workers scurrying around in my wake picking up a strewn orange mess - at least the first time through. Second time around I was able to make adjustments, turning later and braking deeper into the corner. In the slow sections steering input is reduced to 1.7 turns lock to lock, which should make negotiating tight parking stalls easier.
While the previous 5 didn't sport active steering it had few faults, with only its interior roominess under repeated criticism. That problem is overcome with the new car. Its rear seat head, shoulder, hip and legroom is much improved, as is the sizable trunk. I particularly like the interior styling, especially how the designers integrated the iDrive screen into the dash - a much improved, more intuitive system by the way.