BMW India have brought in the new 5 Series executive saloon, offered with a choice of three diesel engines and four trim levels.
The new car brings sharper styling and an updated suite of technology to make it more intuitive and, of course, efficient. Speaking of which, the EfficientDynamics brings an intelligent Start/Stop System, and even disables the engine when coasting. One of the biggest changes on the new car is the standard fitment Xenon headlamps, with Adaptive LED ones available as an option. More LEDs appear for the turn-indicators and fog lamps. Another big change, if you could call it that, is the absence of any petrol engine options. The three diesel engines on offer are the 184 PS and 380 Nm 2.0-litre, four-cylinder unit in the 520d and the tuned-up, higher-pressure common-rail version with 218 PS and 450 Nm in the 525d. The straight-six 3.0-litre motor with 258 PS and 540 Nm takes pride of place in the 530d.
BMW India is offering the 520d in two trim levels – Modern Line and Luxury Line – both priced at Rs 46.90 lakh. The 525d is available in Luxury Plus trim from Rs 51.90 lakh, while the most powerful of the lot, the 530d, is available in M Sport trim and carries a price tag of Rs 57.90 lakh; all prices ex-showroom, Delhi. The cars are available to order now.
It remains to be seen if BMW India will offer petrol car seekers the 520i and the more powerful 535i, with all of its 306 PS. However, with the advent of modern diesel technology, the differences between the octane and cetane burners are slim. The torque on offer, especially from the six-cylinder engine is extremely potent and can deliver all the ‘sheer driving pleasure’ the company claims, and in spades. Either way, the demise of the ‘30i’-badged models has meant that every engine option on sale anywhere in the world is turbocharged. BMW have officially put natural aspiration to rest. For thorough performance seekers and M Division fans,the updated M5 should also be available in the coming months. Overseas, the M5 is available with a Performance Pack which boosts output from the already prodigious figures of 560 PS and 680 Nm to 575 PS and 700 Nm, shaving the 0-100 km/h and 0-200 km/h times. Stay tuned for more updates as and when they happen.
