MUNICH, Germany — At the debut of the 2011 BMW 5 Series sedan during an event at Munich's Olympic stadium, details emerged about the range of powertrain choices available in the all-new sedan, including anticipated performance.
In Europe, the full range of BMW 5 Series sedans will include no fewer than seven different powertrain choices — one V8, three inline-6s, two inline-6 diesels and one inline-4 diesel.
BMW's new eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard equipment for the top-of-the-line BMW 550i and it'll be available as an option for the other engine choices available for the 5 Series. The 550i also is available with an optional sport version of the automatic, which features shift paddles on the steering wheel. In Europe, the 2011 BMW 535i, 2011 BMW 525d and BMW 520d will be available with a new, dry-sump six-speed manual transmission, while the 2011 BMW 530d, 2011 BMW 528i and 2011 BMW 523i will continue with the previous six-speed manual. Finally the BMW 520d will be available with a stop/start function for the engine to improve fuel economy.
The 2011 BMW 550i will feature the recently introduced, twin-turbo, intercooled, direct-injection 4,395cc V8, which features its turbos tucked into the valley between the cylinder banks. It develops 407 horsepower between 5,500 rpm and 6,400 rpm, plus 442 pound-feet of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. BMW claims the BMW 550i will accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 5.0 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
The 2011 BMW 535i will feature the company's single-turbo 2,979cc inline-6 with twin-scroll turbo, direct injection and the latest-generation BMW variable valve timing and lift. It makes 306 hp at 5,800 rpm, plus 295 lb-ft of torque from 1,200 rpm to 5,000 rpm. BMW claims the BMW 535i will accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 6.0 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
The 2011 BMW 528i has a 2,996cc inline-6 with improved direct injection for greater fuel efficiency. It makes 258 hp at 6,600 rpm, plus 228 lb-ft of torque from 2,600 to 5,000 rpm. BMW says the BMW 528i will get to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 6.6 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
The 2011 BMW 523i also has the 2,996cc inline-6 with upgraded direct fuel injection, but it's been tuned to deliver 204 hp at 6,100 rpm and 199 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 rpm to 4,250 rpm. It accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 seconds and provides a top speed of 148 mph.
The 2011 BMW 530d's recently developed, turbocharged, 2,993cc inline-6 diesel has an aluminum block and head, common-rail fuel injection and variable turbo geometry. It makes 245 hp at 4,000 rpm, plus 398 lb-ft of torque from 1,750 to 3,000 rpm. It gets to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 6.3 seconds. Its top speed is 155 mph. Urea injection (BluePerformance) helps reduce particulate air emissions.
The 2011 BMW 525d employs the same turbocharged 2,993cc inline-6 diesel, but it's been tuned to deliver 204 hp at 4,000 rpm, plus 332 lb-ft of torque from 1,750 rpm to 2,500 rpm. The 525d gets to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 7.2 seconds. Its top speed is 146 mph.
The 2011 BMW 520d will use a newly designed turbocharged 1,995cc inline-4 diesel, and like the larger BMW diesels it features an aluminum block and cylinder head, a variable-geometry turbo and common-rail fuel injection. It makes 184 hp at 4,000 rpm, plus 280 lb-ft of torque from 1,900 to 2,750 rpm. It gets to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 seconds and will reach a top speed of 141 mph with a manual transmission or 140 mph with the automatic.
Inside Line says: Even as the all-new BMW 5 Series looks more like the 7 Series, its range of powertrain choices makes it resemble the 3 Series in the broad range of available applications. — Michael Jordan, Executive Editor
Add A Comment »
alman08 says:
02:02 PM, 11/23/2009
I like this one much better than the last gen inside and out. Still not a big fan of that joy-stick type transmission lever.
smihal says:
11:18 AM, 11/23/2009
Maybe it's just an odd angle, but this looks like someone held a blow torch up to the front end of a 3 series sedan and it melted. I'll wait to see it in person.
Hope they keep the manual six speed as an option on the 550i.