Style, class and extreme performance

The debut of the new BMW 5 Series range caused quite a stir in the industry last year when the oddball Gran Turismo arrived on the scene.

For, in spite of the fact that it drove well, was blessed with extreme levels of interior comfort and seemed to be built to survive whatever apocalyptic horrors 2012 may hold in store for us, those questionable looks were, for many, a bit of a deal breaker.

But, that's okay, because its sleek sedan brother, a car that sports none of the GT's eccentricities, means that you can now enjoy the drivability so intrinsic to the 5 Series badge without looking like Quasimodo.

Unsurprisingly, its guts lying considerably closer to the ground, the new 5 Series Sedan handles better too and is capable of dishing out the sort of driving thrills that defy its 1.7-ton kerb weight. Now, a lot of this can be put down to its superb chassis, borrowed in part from the current 7 Series, but most of it can be attributed to a complex, but easy-to-use system known as Dynamic Driving Control.

Basically BMW's answer to Audi's Drive Select, this astounding bit of kit allows you to systematically tweak the Beemer's engine, suspension, gearbox and steering mapping to suit your particular driving needs at any given time.

Set in "comfort", where you'll no doubt spend 90% of your time, it turns the big BMW into a laid-back cruiser; a comfortably-sprung executive mobile that smooths out most of our rampant road acne. But, if you're feeling frisky, and it's hard not to when behind the wheel of something wearing the blue propeller badge, you can click into "sport" or indeed "sport+" mode and fire along at a truly impressive lick. Turn-in is crisp and precise, throttle response immediate and body roll - thanks to the additional Adaptive Drive system - barely detectable.

There's also plenty of opportunity to indulge in sideways action as the Dynamic Traction Control system, when activated, allows those rear wheels to slip that little bit extra before Dynamic Stability Control kicks in and prevents you from merging with the roadside scenery.

Disguising its weight with aplomb and checking all the boxes in the handling department, it's just a pity that the optional Active Steering system seems to filter out some of the steering feel. If it were my money, I'd choose to leave this R19500 electronica box unchecked.

Under the bonnet, our 530d came bolted to a silky smooth, six-cylinder turbodiesel that went about its business in a very civilised manner. For while quite a few oil-burners still sound as they've been lifted from an old farmyard tractor, this complex lump with its all-aluminium crankcase blasted along with hardly a trace of diesel clatter. Obviously, trading kilowatts for torque, it doesn't turn this BMW into drag racer, but when it comes to in-gear acceleration, well, all that Newton helps the 530d transform into a formidable piece of highway weaponry. Indeed, steer it down any one of our national roads and it'll gobble up the kilometres and slower traffic with all the effortless grace of a more costly GT car.

Transmission wise, the 530d is made available only with the firm's eight-speed Steptronic gearbox, which proved perfectly suited to the low-down punch of the diesel engine. In manual mode, all those ratios mean that downshifting can become a confusing affair. I couldn't see the gear indicator light in my set seating position, so it's best to keep it in full auto mode and leave the cog-swapping duties to the mercy of its advanced digital brain.

Stellar to drive, the 530d is also pretty much faultless on the inside, with a cabin that oozes style and substance in equal amounts. Granted, it's not the most cheery place to spend time in - show me a German interior that is - but the level of fit, finish and overall ergonomics built into the 5 Series Sedan is nothing short of a class leader.

Be careful, though, because that options list is wide and expensive. Features like the BMW night vision, active cruise control, head-up display - and the rear seat entertainment system we so enjoyed in our test car - can easily add an extra R100k to the model's basic price tag.

Keep your common sense, choose the specifications you can afford, and the good-looking BMW 530d will reward you with an executive driving experience that easily rivals competitors like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Jaguar XF and now rather long-in the-tooth Audi A6.

The Specs:

• Engine: 2993cc six-cylinder turbodiesel
• Power: 180kW at 4000rpm
• Torque: 540Nm from 1750 to 3000rpm
• 0 to 100km/h: 6.3secs (claimed)
• Top speed: 250km/h (limited)
• Fuel consumption: 6.2l/100km (claimed combined)
• Price: From R630000

The Ratings:

Practicality: 7/10

It's a big machine so it's no surprise that it can seat four adults in comfort and packs a sizeable, 520-litre boot.

Petrolhead-kudos: 6/10

It may run on the devil's fuel but the 530d is still a spirited performer. Definitely the pick of the executive bunch when it comes to handling dynamics.

Carbon footprint: 7/10

When it comes to C02 emissions, the 530d is simply the best in its class, huffing out a mere 160g/km. We couldn't get near the combined fuel economy figure but our 9.8l/100km wasn't too shabby.

Value for money: 6/10

A standard 530d in exclusive spec should satisfy most tastes.

Pump damage:

Optimistically, if you travel an average of 1200km a month, you'll have to fork out R578.