BMW has revealed a raft of upgrades for its class-leading 5 Series to fend off the newer Audi A6 and refreshed Mercedes-Benz E-Class, including new technology, new engines and the introduction of a 523bhp M Performance variant to the UK line-up.
A hardcore CS version of the V8-powered M5 super-saloon is coming later this year, too.
The suite of updates to BMW’s executive mainstay also brings a new 389bhp 545e xDrive plug-in hybrid model into the line-up, plus UK customers will be able to order the 523bhp M550i for the first time. This variant has been on sale in mainland Europe since last year.
Launched in 2016, the seventh-generation 5 Series has continued the success of its predecessors, with more than 600,000 sales achieved worldwide to date. The facelifted model is scheduled to reach UK dealerships in both its saloon and Touring estate guises in July.
In a continuation of its electrification strategy, BMW has fitted its mild-hybrid system to all 5 Series petrol and diesel models with either a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine. First introduced to the line-up on the 520d last year, it adds a 48V starter-generator and a second battery.
Together, they provide an 11bhp temporary boost to the engine’s power reserves as well as a number of new fuel-saving features. These include a coast function that shuts down the engine for periods of trailing throttle, improved brake-energy recuperation and the ability for the engine to be automatically switched off at speeds below 9mph.
Among the petrol models are the four-cylinder 181bhp 520i and the 248bhp 530i, as well as the six-cylinder 329bhp 540i. The 530i and 540i are available with standard rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive. Above them is the four wheel-drive M550i xDrive. Available in saloon form only, its turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine delivers 523bhp and 553lb ft torque, enabling a 0-62mph time of 4.0sec.
Three diesels are again available: the four-cylinder 188bhp 520d and two six-cylinder models, the 281bhp 530d and 335bhp 540d xDrive. The 520d and 530d come with standard rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive, while the 540d is available with four-wheel drive exclusively. Changes to the six-cylinder diesel engine – including the adoption of two-stage turbocharging and new common-rail piezo injectors that operate at up to 2700bar – bring gains of 20bhp and 22lb ft to the 530d and of 20bhp and 15lb ft to the 540d.
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Perhaps
the badges were an after thought, look at the green picture, and the placement of the "M" badge on the front wing, and then look at the blue one, they have had to move the "M" badge to make room for the plug flap, what a fantastic bit of design continuity, well done BMW. Its little details like that, that prove there is a problem at BMW design HQ.
Not completely...
...hideous by BMW standards of late. I could be tempted out of my E39 by this. At least the Pig for Angry Birds grille is a little less oink, oink
Just checked Ford site
2.3 Eco boost £38,035
V8 £41,430 O. T. R.
Yes Just Saying, I get your
Yes Just Saying, I get your point. The fact is that the 'premium' brands have long charged considerable sums for a wide range of extra features that are often standard with the mainstream manufacturers. They get away with it, but of course I'd much rather they didn't do it. US makers, on the other hand, have long offered great value in terms of 'bang for your buck'. US V8s are generally reliable, cheap to maintain and repair, and don't cost the earth to buy. Compare the cost of a replacement US V8 crate engine with an equivalent from the European manufacturers!
Two points I think are worth making in respect of the 550i. Detailed specs, when available, will probably show it includes a number of standard features that are extras on models further down the range. This is certainly the case, for example, when comparing an Audi S6 or RS6 with lesser models in the range. The other big factor will likely be very substantial discounting once it's been on sale a while. On the Broadspeed website, for example, a new BMW 750i is currently showing discounts of about £25k. I wonder what figures we'll see for the 550i? It will no doubt suffer big depreciation, but at least it suggests customers won't actually pay an initial price anywhere near BMWs list price.