This is a difficult time when the old era is disillusioned and the new era is yet to come. Driven by the joint promotion of policy and technology, the automotive industry has reached a turning point, and the future of electrification and intelligence is looming not far away. For brands that have been standing at the top of the industry, how to continue themselves and lead innovation has become the most important issue at present.
At this year's Guangzhou Auto Show, the all-new BMW 5 Series long-wheelbase version was launched globally. With this model, BMW offers a wonderful solution.
The existing evaluation system of automobiles is built around factors such as the engine and transmission, handling and sound, and even the texture of the suspension during speed bumps and the amplitude of body roll when cornering. The luxury model means the limit scale of the mechanical creations in the system in each market segment. Take it as a standard, and extend it down to other positioning models.
When it comes to mid-to-large luxury cars, you can't get around the BMW 5 Series. As one of the most successful models in the world, the BMW 5 Series has sold more than 10 million units since its inception in 1972, and has won the favor of more than 2 million users in the Chinese market alone. It is not only BMW's best-selling model, but also the most important reference in the mid- and large-sized car market within the system.
In the past half century, the BMW 5 Series has undergone the transformation of computer technology to the automotive industry, the application of lightweight metal materials, the update of the driver's access to information, and the all-round iteration of motor technology and battery technology on the automotive power system and energy system. In the long run, the BMW 5 Series has experienced almost every major and small key technology explosion after the second industrial revolution, and has always led the application and popularization of emerging technologies in the automotive industry.
For example, in 1976, in the facelift of the first-generation BMW 5 Series, BMW engineers used computer technology on a large scale in the vehicle design and development stage for the first time in order to accurately calculate the deformation zone of the vehicle in the event of an accident and ensure the safety of the occupants. This is the first time that this technology has appeared in the automotive industry, and since then, computers have begun to be fully used in automobile design, R&D, and production.
In 1995, the BMW 5 series was the world's first production car with an all-aluminum alloy light metal suspension, although the body size has been greatly improved compared with the previous generation, the weight has not been significantly improved, with the first application of CBC cornering brake control system, the new car's cornering performance has been improved, and the benchmark for the sports performance of medium and large luxury cars has been established at that time.
In 2003, the fifth-generation BMW 5 Series led the revolution in the way people interact with vehicles, and in terms of hardware, this generation of 5 Series brought the HUD head-up display system originally used in aircraft to production models. When the driver is looking out of the car, the main driving parameters can be obtained from the image on the windshield. For the first time, the iDrive system integrates functions that could only be achieved with a large number of physical buttons into the steering wheel and screen. It can be said that it has set off the first wave of integration and intelligence of human-computer interaction.
In this wave of electrification and intelligence, BMW's attitude of being proactive and leading innovation in the face of new technologies has also been continued in the new BMW 5 Series.
In terms of electrification, the all-new BMW 5 Series completes the powertrain with full electrocution. In the petrol version, the inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine is equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system. In addition to providing additional power for the whole vehicle, this motor can increase the maximum power to 190 kilowatts and the peak torque to 400 Nm, but also help the engine to increase the speed, kinetic energy, start and stop, and greatly improve the economy.
The innovative all-electric BMW i5 Long Wheelbase Edition is a model that further embraces electrification. It is equipped with the fifth-generation BMW eDrive electric drive technology and BMW's latest charging technology, and has a range of more than 700 km.
The innovative pure electric BMW i5 is the first to introduce MPA models, and the innovative pure electric BMW i5 M60 uses a series of exclusive performance equipment such as adaptive M sports suspension PRO and M high-performance calipers to highlight BMW's sports background, and after pressing the Sport Boost button, the torque output of the dual motors will burst to 820 Nm, only 3It can accelerate to 100 kilometers in 8 seconds.
In terms of intelligence, the rear seat entertainment system originally installed on the 7 Series has been transferred to the new BMW 5 Series, and the 31-inch floating screen is equipped with 8K resolution, defining a new standard for intelligent interactive hardware for medium and large luxury cars. On the other side of intelligence, in terms of intelligent driving, the all-new BMW 5 Series applies L2+ intelligent driving assistance systems, among which the automatic lane change function with gaze confirmation is the world premiere. Unlike the more radical new forces, which cede the decision to change lanes or not. BMW, which is driven by its driver-oriented philosophy, has chosen to leave the final decision to the driver. The lane change function is more like a close cooperation between people and vehicles, rather than the transfer of responsibility from people to vehicles, and the system can only realize lane change after confirming the driver's eye and head movements. While improving driving convenience, it also ensures safety.
The all-new BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase Edition has the ability to expand to Level 3 autonomous driving in terms of technology, and the BMW China R&D team has also strengthened the localization of Level 3 autonomous driving, and will be fully prepared for the adaptation and application of Level 3 autonomous driving functions in China in the future according to local regulations.
It can be said that the BMW 5 Series is not only a style inheritance of nearly half a century, but also a continuation of the industry's innovative spirit in the new BMW 5 Series.
Compared with the design style, these technical innovations may give us a better perspective on the new BMW 5 Series. We always overemphasize the leap forward development of newcomers from scratch, but ignore a product that can stand for half a century, a brand that has stood for a longer time, and a new day in terms of technology. Past success is not a stumbling block to innovation. On the contrary, the spirit of continuous innovation has continuously surprised generations of consumers, ensuring that the BMW 5 Series has been selling well for half a century. It is foreseeable that the innovative leadership of the all-new BMW 5 Series will drive other medium and large luxury models to follow suit, complete a new round of further popularization of technology in the corresponding market segments, and bring consumers a more anticipated experience.