THE BMW 5-series has undergone a wide range of improvements and enhancements for its mid-term upgrade.

There's a new engine at the top of the range, further advances in technology with enhanced ConnectedDrive and revisions to styling and suspension.

All versions are more fuel-efficient and have lower emissions, ready for new standards that will not be introduced until 2014.

The 184bhp version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine now has emissions of 119g/km for both manual and automatic transmission, matching the figures of the former Eco model.

Petrol models now include a new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 for the 550i Saloon, Touring and Gran Turismo.

This develops 449bhp, but with significantly lower fuel consumption and emissions, of 32.8mpg and 199g/km, than its predecessor.

BMW Business Navigation becomes standard on all models together with BMW Emergency Call, which establishes contact with the emergency services automatically in the event of an accident.

The 5-Series still gets the BMW full colour head-up display, which now shows telephone contacts and entertainment details such as track listings, conveniently projected directly into the driver's field of vision.