German premium brand BMW is ready to roll out here next month its latest model, the new BMW 5 Series sedan equipped with a slew of high-tech features, the carmaker’s Seoul unit said Sunday.

The seventh-generation all-new 5 Series is a redesigned version of the premium business sedan BMW 5 Series, which has sold over 7.6 million units worldwide since its first release in 1972, BMW Korea said.

One distinct feature of the model is its cutting-edge Driving Assistance System, a self-driving system that functions through a built-in ultrasonic wave sensor and a stereo camera, which keeps an eye on movement around the vehicle, according to BMW.

The Lane Control Assistant is a new feature that makes sure vehicles stay within lane while driving and detects obstacles to prevent a collision.

Drivers of the new 5 series sedan also have the option of using an Intelligent Speed Assist, which controls acceleration, handling and braking until the automobile reaches 210 kilometers per hour from zero speed.

Advanced technology-based features are also installed in the control functions of the model.


The luxury automaker has enhanced its iDrive system to allow drivers to control key systems through hand gesture cognition and voice recognition.

Drivers who struggle to park in small spaces can also make use of the Parking Assistant, which can help them find an empty spot and complete parking.

The elegant and sporty model is bigger than previous generation models in terms of size, with wider leg room and load capacity. It is also up to 100 kilograms lighter, enhancing fuel efficiency while keeping the driving experience dynamic, BMW Korea said.

The price of the BMW 5 series ranges between 66.3 million won ($56,162) and 87.9 million won.

The model is set to hit global dealerships on Feb. 11 and according to BMW Korea, over 1000 units of the all-new 5 series have already been sold through preorders from Jan. 4 to Jan. 10.

The automaker is seeking to regain the top spot as the leading import vehicle sold in the Korean market through the new model. BMW was pushed down to No. 2 in domestic sales among foreign auto brands operating here last year. Its archrival German luxury Mercedez-Benz came in first.

The carmaker is planning to roll out the BMW 530e iPerformance, equipped with a plug-in hybrid driving system, and the sporty M performance BMW M550i xDrive in March.

By Kim Bo-gyung (lisakim425@heraldcorp.com)