The all-new BMW 5-Series has a lot to live up to after the runaway success of its predecessors. Its looks are not as radical as the previous model’s, but underneath BMW has been busy making improvements. There are also more frugal and environmentally sound engines, and there’s also stop-start engine technology for the first time on a 5-Series. Anyone lucky enough to find the BMW 5-Series on their company car list – 70% of 5-Series are sold to business users – will benefit from the new 5-Series’ EfficientDynamics. This is BMW’s system of reducing energy use and maximising economy by charging the battery from regenerative braking as the car slows and only using energy when needed, such as with the electric power steering. It adds up to small but significant savings to lower carbon dioxide emissions to very low levels for the executive class. The 520d also comes with BMW’s Auto Start-Stop that switches off the engine when the car is at a standstill in traffic. This helps lower the 520d’s emissions to 132g/km and up economy to 56.5mpg, which are impressive figures for this class of car. To begin with, the 5-Series will only come in SE trim, which includes leather upholstery as standard, along with air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors and Bluetooth connection. An M Sport version is expected to follow on later in the year. Strong residual values make the 5-Series a sound bet for those paying for it with their own cash, though the 550i is likely to take a big hit due to its emissions making it pricey to tax.

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