2008 BMW 530i

The premium ambience within the car's interior is borne out by particularly sophisticated materials, attractive colours and re-designed interior elements and controls.

Power units even more muscular than before and with exceptional all-round efficiency raise the line-up of engines in the BMW 5-Series to an even higher standard never experienced before, BMW's petrol and diesel engines already widely lauded for their superior power and supreme refinement now also taking the lead in terms of economy in all performance classes.

Benefiting from this kind of power, the BMW 5-Series is entering a new dimension of Efficient Dynamics attributable to a wide range of enhancements on and around the engine for maximum fuel economy and minimum emissions. A particular highlight is BMW's innovative High Precision Injection direct fuel injection technology featured on the straight-six power units. Other new developments on the drivetrain are the particularly quick and precise six-speed automatic transmission as well as BMW's unique Automatic Sports Transmission.

BMW 530i


Being directly connected to the engine and featuring precise gear management and selection, the automatic transmission versions of the three most powerful petrol-engined models in the new BMW 5-Series boast even greater fuel economy than their respective manual gearbox counterparts. And as a further highlight three engine variants on the new BMW 5-Series are available with BMW xDrive permanent and variable all-wheel-drive technology. On this intelligent all-wheel-drive system, optimised control and management electronics ensure an even more spontaneous and precise response to changes in driving conditions.

The new BMW 5-Series also offers a wide range of innovations in driver assistance and comfort features. As an example, it is the only car in its segment available with Active Steering, a High-Beam Assistant, BMW Night Vision, a Head-Up Display and, from now on, also with Active Cruise Control featuring a Stop & Go function as well as Lane Change Warning.

Featured as standard, iDrive control with no less than eight freely programmable favourite buttons as well as an optionally available navigation system with voice control and full-word entry enhance the long-distance touring comfort of the BMW 5-Series to a new, unprecedented standard.

Exterior design: sporting character with new elegance.

New highlights in design and ongoing refinement ensure even greater harmony of sporting character and sophisticated elegance in both the BMW 5-Series Saloon and the BMW 5-Series Touring. The headlights in their characteristic look, for example, now come with new clear glass technology, transparent glass panels covering the direction indicators, chrome surrounds highlighting the technically sophisticated character of the round headlights.

The surrounds on the BMW double kidney grille, in turn, are now flush with the surfaces on the front air dam, and the air intake sweeping up at the side along the same dynamic line as the headlight contours also contributes to the smooth, harmonious and friendly look of the front end. And last but not least, the horizontal trim bar in the middle highlights the wide track of the car and its muscular stance on the road.

An additional light contour along the side-sills gives the body of both the Saloon and the Touring an even sleeker, more stretched look from the side. The rear end, in turn, is dominated by horizontal lines highlighting the look of superior power. Like the headlights at the front, the rear lights also come in a new, sophisticated clear-glass look and now feature LED direction indicators. And last but certainly not least, the trim bar around the rear numberplate is now defined even more smoothly and precisely on the new BMW 5-Series Saloon.

Refined and sophisticated style within the interior.

Enhanced control comfort, new design and particularly sophisticated materials on the surfaces give the interior of the new BMW 5-Series a new standard of quality both the driver and his passengers will see and feel at first sight, ensuring a wonderful experience of driving pleasure at all times. High-class Pearl Gloss Chrome, the very pleasant rubber finish on the controls for smooth and easy handling, comfortable padding on the door armrests and panels as well as on the centre console all contribute to the particular style and class of the interior. At the same time additional storage options give the new BMW 5-Series an even higher standard of practical function.

The most striking feature clearly bearing out the new refinement of the car's interior design is the twin-tone finish on the door panels: Black door trim bars at the top and the lower panel section in the respective interior colour, together with elegantly sweeping decal bars, take up and continue the look and the materials used on the dashboard. The buttons for the window lifts and mirror adjustment have been integrated in the armrest, just as the handles for closing the doors have been optimised in their ergonomic design. The door pockets now integrated even more effectively than before in the door panels provide greater storage capacity for enhanced convenience on the road.

In its appealing look and ideal ergonomics, the new, electrical gear selector lever for the automatic transmission merges perfectly into the stylish interior. Control of the iDrive vehicle management system has also been optimised to an even higher standard, the Controller positioned on the centre console and the central Control Display in the dashboard serving to mastermind the Climate Control, Navigation, Entertainment and Communication functions.

Apart from enhanced menu guidance and refined graphics, particularly the new favourite buttons ensure even more intuitive control and operation of the car. The eight freely available buttons with their favourite functions allow the driver and front passenger to access important functions very quickly, smoothly and easily: All they do is press one single button to activate, say, a specific destination, a telephone number dialled frequently, or a preferred radio station saved in advance.

Power units: opening up a new dimension of Efficient Dynamics.

The new BMW 5-Series is entering the market with a choice of no less than nine power units either brand-new or thoroughly updated over the former versions. All engines offer a significant improvement in fuel economy, all engines rank right at the top in terms of all-round economy and efficiency within their respective category.

Depending on the specific engine involved, the various models in the new BMW 5-Series come with a range of technologies and features serving to minimise fuel consumption and emissions. Just some of these new technologies are Brake Energy Regeneration concentrating the generation of electricity for the on-board network on the car's overrun and brake phases, a gearshift indicator helping the driver of a new BMW 5-Series with manual gearbox to shift gears even more economically, as well as active management of the brake and cooling air flaps serving to improve the car's aerodynamics.

Operating on-demand, the electrical coolant pump in the new BMW 5-Series consumes much less power than a conventional pump and helps the engine reach its normal operating temperature at an earlier point. The Varioserv steering assistance pump, varying the curve ring as a function of pressure and volume flow, avoids the usual increase in drive losses as a function of higher engine speeds. And when the driver and passengers do not require the air conditioning, the a/c compressor is disconnected to reduce drag forces to a minimum.

Right at the top of the engine range, the two eight-cylinders, benefiting from optimised engine management and numerous innovations for enhanced fuel economy, offer a standard of efficiency quite unheard of in this performance class. Powered by a 4.8-litre, 270 kW/367 hp V8, the BMW 550i accelerates to 100 km/h in just 5.2 (Saloon) and, respectively, 5.3 (Touring) seconds.

Top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle, finally, is just 10.9 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 25.9 mpg Imp) in the Saloon and 11.2 litres/100 kilometres (25.2 mpg Imp) in the Touring, while the automatic transmission models are even more economical and fuel-efficient in each case, reducing fuel consumption to just 10.3 litres (27.4 mpg Imp) for the Saloon and 10.7 litres (26.4 mpg Imp) for the Touring.

Developing maximum output of 225 kW/306 hp from engine capacity of 4.0 litres, the eight-cylinder in the BMW 540i also offers sporting performance of the highest calibre. Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in 6.1 seconds and top speed is again limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.

The dynamic driving experience provided by this model is also enhanced by truly remarkable all-round economy, with average fuel consumption in the manual gearbox model of 10.5 litres/100 kilometres (26.9 mpg Imp) on the Saloon and 9.7 litres (29.1 mpg Imp) in the BMW 540i with automatic transmission.

Straight-six with High Precision Injection.

The range of straight-six power units available for the BMW 5-Series comprises no less than three different power and performance versions. Two of these engines displace 3.0 litres, the third is a 2.5-litre. The most important highlight in technology featured by all of these power units is BMW's second-generation direct fuel injection allowing fuel-efficient lean burn operation throughout a broad range of engine loads and running speeds and therefore providing a significant improvement of all-round efficiency also in everyday motoring.

This superiority is ensured by innovative piezo-injectors arranged between the valves and injecting fuel into the combustion chambers in the immediate vicinity of the spark plug. This particular position of the spark plug achieved by BMW's engine development specialists despite the limited space within the combustion chambers is the prerequisite for the new jet-guided combustion process. The result is particularly precise fuel injection without the usual losses of fuel on the walls of the combustion chamber.

In the BMW 530i the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine develops a dynamic 200 kW/272 hp. Acceleration to 100 km/h comes in 6.3 seconds in the Saloon and takes 6.5 seconds in the BMW 530i Touring. Top speed of both models, in turn, is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.

At 7.7 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 36.7 mpg Imp) (Saloon) and 7.9 litres/100 kilometres (35.8 mpg Imp) (Touring), average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is approximately 12 per cent better than with the former models. And the improvement of fuel efficiency is even greater on the BMW 530i with automatic transmission, being reduced to 7.5 litres (Saloon) and, respectively, 7.7 litres (Touring) (37.7 and, respectively, 36.7 mpg Imp).

The BMW 525i also boasts a 3.0-litre straight-six within its engine bay, in this case developing maximum output of 160 kW/218 hp. This accelerates the Saloon to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and provides a top speed of 248 km/h or 154 mph. The BMW 525i Touring, in turn, accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 243 km/h or 151 mph. Average fuel consumption under the EU standard is 7.4 litres/100 kilometres (38.2 mpg Imp) (Saloon) and, respectively, 7.7 litres/100 kilometres (36.7 mpg Imp) (Touring).

The third six-cylinder with High Precision Injection is the 2.5-litre power unit developing 140 kW/190 hp in the BMW 523i - which again makes this engine 10 kW/14 hp and, respectively, 5 Newton-metres/3.7 lb-ft more powerful than its predecessor. On the road, this kind of power enables the BMW 523i Saloon to accelerate to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 237 km/h or 147 mph. The BMW 523i Touring, in turn, accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed of 230 km/h or 143 mph. Average fuel consumption of 7.3 litres/100 km (equal to 38.7 mpg Imp) (Saloon) and, respectively, 7.7 litres/100 km (36.7 mpg Imp) (Touring) is approximately 12 per cent lower than on the former models.

Diesel engines full of muscle and all-round economy.

The diesel-powered BMW 535d, BMW 530d and BMW 525d successfully combine impressive thrust with supreme all-round efficiency. Apart from displacing a substantial 3.0 litres, the straight-six power units featured in these outstanding models also share turbocharging and third-generation common-rail fuel injection. So over and above their superior economy, BMW's six-cylinder diesels stand out in particular through their impressive power and muscle interacting with exemplary smoothness and refinement at all times.

Each of the new diesel engines comes with an all-aluminium crankcase ensuring a significant reduction of weight. This not only ensures an even higher standard of fuel economy, but also means a significant improvement of agility thanks to the reduced load on the front axle. Emission management has also been improved, with a particulates filter of the latest generation and an oxidation catalyst integrated in one joint housing.

The new version of BMW's 3.0-litre six-cylinder with Variable Twin Turbo (VTT) technology featured in the BMW 535d is a truly fascinating example of Efficient Dynamics. The special feature of VTT turbocharging is that a small turbocharger is initially activated at lower engine speeds and serves to boost power spontaneously and without the slightest delay thanks to its low level of inertia reduced to an absolute minimum. Then, with the engine picking up speed, the second, larger turbocharger also cuts in, helping to develop maximum torque of 580 Newton-metres or 427 lb-ft at just 1,750 rpm.

Standing out as the most sporting and dynamic diesel engine in its class the world over, the power unit in the BMW 535d develops 10 kW/14 hp more than before, with maximum output now reaching 210 kW/286 hp. This accelerates the BMW 535d to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds (Touring: 6.5 seconds), with the top speed limited electronically on both the Saloon and Touring to 250 km/h or 155 mph.

Fuel economy has also been enhanced to a new level of perfection never seen before: Average fuel consumption of the new BMW 535d in the EU test cycle is now just 6.8 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 41.5 mpg Imp) (Saloon) or, respectively, 7.0 litres/100 kilometres (40.3 mpg Imp) (Touring), a reduction by approximately 15 per cent versus the former model.

Optimised: 3.0-litre diesel with variable turbine geometry.

Engine output in the new BMW 530d is now 173 kW/235 hp. This version of the 3.0-litre power unit boasts a turbocharger system with variable turbine geometry (VTG) for muscular and, at the same time, harmonious development of power and performance under all conditions. And again, this power unit develops its maximum torque - in this case 500 Newton-metres or 369 lb-ft - at just 1,750 rpm. The result is powerful acceleration to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds (Saloon) or, respectively, 6.9 seconds (Touring). Top speed of the new BMW 530d, in turn, is 250 km/h (155 mph) in the Saloon and 245 km/h (152 mph) in the Touring. At 6.4 (6.6) litres/100 km (equal to 44.1 and, respectively, 42.8 mpg Imp), average fuel consumption under the EU standard is about 12 per cent lower than on the former models.

The third version of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder develops maximum output of 145 kW/197 hp and peak torque of 400 Newton-metres (295 lb-ft). This kind of power accelerates the BMW 525d Saloon to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, with the Touring completing the same sprint in 7.8 seconds. Top speed of the Saloon is 237 km/h or 147 mph, while the Touring has a top speed of 232 km/h or 144 mph. Fuel consumption under the EU standard, finally, is 6.2 litres/100 km (equal to 45.6 mpg Imp) on the Saloon and 6.4 litres/100 km (44.1 mpg Imp) on the Touring, a reduction of up to 17 per cent versus the former models, depending on the car's transmission.

The entry-level model into the new BMW 5-Series comes with BMW's four-cylinder diesel displacing 2.0 litres already well known for its superior muscle and economy. Further features of this equally outstanding engine are common-rail fuel injection and a VTG turbocharger.

Developing maximum output of 120 kW/163 hp combined with peak torque of 340 Nm/251 lb-ft, the power unit featured in the BMW 520d also ensures sporting performance and dynamism on the road: The Saloon accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.6, the Touring in 8.9 seconds, and the top speed of the two models is 223 km/h (138 mph) and, respectively, 218 km/h (135 mph). Average fuel consumption, finally, is 5.9 (6.1) litres/100 kilometres, equal to 47.9 and, respectively, 46.3 mpg Imp.