BMW’s latest 5 Series model launched in Pakistan

Dewan Motors Lahore pulled no stops when it launched the new BMW 5 Series sedan on Sunday. Amid the life-sized posters of the car, the numerous plasma television sets, roaming spotlights and sharply dressed sales executives stood the sixth generation of the manufacturers world renowned 5 Series.

The event was a classy black tie affair, living up to the executive appeal of the car itself. The guests, BMW’s clients and car enthusiasts, sampled delicious hors d’oeuvres as they were a given a thorough tour of the car.

The new model in the 5-series comes after a hiatus of eight years and is a huge improvement on its predecessor. Built on an entirely new platform the new 5 Series boasts the largest wheelbase in its class, though it borrows some of its deign cues from the current 3-series.

The manufacturer continues to offer its customers more advanced technology built vehicles as it incorporates eight years of research into the new model. A Flex-Ray high-speed vehicle network architecture (for more agility), new torque splitting all-wheel-drive (also known as Dynamic Performance Control), refined i-Drive (for an additional driving aid), and BMW’s Efficient Dynamics technology for minimizing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are just a few of the new high technology features that come along with this vehicle. It also comes with increased horsepower and an 8-speed dual-clutch gear box (i.e. DSG).

Mazhar Khan, a sales executive at Dewan Motors, stressed the unique driver-assist technology functions the car offers. For the first time the new BMW comes with a Parking Assistant (as an optional feature), Active Cruise Control, Surround View, Lane Departure/Change Warning and BMW night vision with pedestrian recognition.

This elegant design, excellent comfort and cutting edge technology however, will set you back by Rs. 7.5 million, making the car highly exclusive. When asked about the BMW’s potential market in Pakistan, Mazhar Khan told us that the manufacturer caters to a select group of 280 families in the country. He was optimistic about the car’s future and said that it is “in a class of its own”.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2010.