BMW Launches Updated 5-Series Range with New 2.0-liter Turbo Petrol and Diesel Engines

The latest additions to the BMW 5-Series sedan and Touring (station-wagon) were launched in Europe today following an announcement earlier this summer. The Bavarian firm's long-running executive model series gains three-new engines as well as some other updates throughout the range.

New for the 2012 model year is a pair of 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four petrol engines delivering 184HP in the 520i and 245HP in the 528i, plus a four-cylinder diesel unit with the same displacement delivering 184HP on the 520d EfficientDynamics model.

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BMW UK Sells Two Millionth Vehicle in Britain 31 Years after it Officially Entered the Market

Some 31 years after it officially opened shop in the British market, BMW UK Ltd has sold its two millionth vehicle, a 530d Gran Turismo. Coincidentally, the company's first car sold in the UK on January 1, 1980, was also a 5-Series, albeit an E12 M535i saloon. Read more »

BMW Introduces the New ActiveHybrid 5 with a Turbocharged Six, will it have the Same Fate as the X6 Hybrid?

For the most part, BMW has made some smart decisions over the years, but occasionally, even the all-knowing Bavarians make mistakes. The ActiveHybrid X6, which will reportedly soon be retired from BMW's American line-up due to poor sales, is one such example: a 480HP turbocharged V8 hybrid with mildly better fuel efficiency (19mpg highway) but with a similar price tag to the almighty X6 M.

Their counterparts at Audi seem to be doing a better job, as proved with the new A8 Hybrid that combines a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with an electric motor for a fuel economy of 6.4 liters per 100 km (36.8mpg US).

This brings us to the new ActiveHybrid 5 sedan that was introduced today, ahead of its sales launch in March 2012.

BMW decided to base the first hybrid version of the latest 5-Series on the 535i – not the wisest choice if you're targeting fuel efficiency and low emissions.

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BMW Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the 5-Series with Special Edition 528i in Japan

In a few months' time, the BMW 5-Series will enjoy its 30th birthday but the Bavarian automaker has already begun churning out special edition models to mark the event, starting with the "528i 30th Anniversary Edition" that went on sale in Japan today.

Only 200 examples of the special edition 528i sedan, which is powered by BMW's 3.0-liter straight-six petrol, will be built for the local market.

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2012 BMW 5-Series Cars review

2012 BMW 5-Series Cars review

BMW Introduces Long Wheel Base 5 Series in China : 523Li, 525Li & 530Li

BMW is stepping up its presence in China with the introduction of a new Long Wheel Based version of the latest 5 Series sedan. Developed at BMW's Development Headquarters in Munich, the LWB 5 Series will be presented for the first time at the international Auto China 2006 Motor Show in Beijing (18- 27 November, 2006).

Although not so obvious from the photo, the car's wheelbase has been extended by 140 millimetres (5,5 inches), providing extra space for the rear passengers. Beside the longer wheelbase, the LWB 5 Series will also come fitted with a newly developed rear console complete with an integrated entertainment system with a DVD-player, eight-inch screens fitted in a console on the back of the front seats, as well as a cooling box.

Available in three versions (530 Li, BMW 525 Li, and BMW 523 Li, all powered by by straight-six power units ranging in output from 130 kW/177 hp to 190 kW/258 hp), the new LWB 5 Series will produced at the Shenyang Plant in the Province of Liaoning in the north-east of China, which also builds the BMW 3 Series for the Chinese market.

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BMW 5 Series Long Wheel Base : Chinese lay the 5 Series on the Procrustean bed

When Procrustes laid his victims on his torture bed, he'd stretch the ones who were too short until they died, or, if they were too tall, he'd cut off their limbs as to make them short enough to fit. BMW on the other hand may have stretched it's 5 Series to fit the Chinese mentality who seem to love LWB versions but at least they didn't "kill" it as these pictures prove.

Found on a Chinese forum called ChinaBMW forum, the images give us a glimpse of Bimmer's upcoming 5 Series LWB -or Procrustes if you prefer, that'll only be available in Asian markets. Apart from the longer wheel base, the 5-series also gets a few more goodies in the interior like a tray table for rear passengers and more entertainment options.

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