BMW debuts new 5 Series variants at the Montreal International Autoshow

New, innovative straight-six power units.
BMW 525i and 530i with optional high-tech four-wheel drive xDrive.
New Touring variant: BMW 530xi.
New and extended range of equipment.

Whitby, Ontario...In a reaffirmation of its position as the benchmark in its
class, the 2004 Automotive Journalists Association of Canada winner of the
'Best New Luxury Car' and 'Best New Technology',the BMW 5 Series, is further
expanding its leadership in technology and model offerings. New for 2005, the 5
Series line-up in Canada grows with the addition of the value-packed 525i sedan
and 530xi Touring. Debuting at the Montreal International Autoshow and
retailing in summer 2005, the BMW 525i and 530i feature new, innovative
straight-six gasoline power units complete with a magnesium crankcase and
VALVETRONIC for even greater efficiency and dynamism on the road. The BMW 525xi
and 530xi, in turn, come with BMW's further enhanced, intelligent xDrive
all-wheel-drive system not only ensuring supreme traction, but also opening up
a new dimension in driving dynamics, driving safety and agility in the
all-wheel-drive segment. Offering high technology of this standard together
with new equipment features, the BMW

5 Series is setting several highlights all in one in spring 2005:

New engine specifications:
Output Torque
525 i 221 bhp at 6500 rpm 184 lb-ft at 2750-4250 rpm
530i 262 bhp at 6600 rpm 221 lb-ft at 2500-4000 rpm

Capacity Bore/stroke
525 i 2497 cc 82.0 / 78.8 mm (3.23 / 3.10?)
530i 2996 cc 85.0 / 88.0 mm (3.35 / 3.46?)

Performance and fuel consumption (figures for Touring in brackets):

0-100 km/h Top speed. FC EU comp
525i 7.5 sec 245 km/h 8.7 litres/100 km
530i 6.5 sec 250 km/h 8.8 litres/100 km
525xi 8.3 sec 237 km/h 9.6 litres/100 km
530xi 6.8 (7.0) sec 250 (245) km/h 9.7 (10.1) litres/100 km

These figures relate to cars in standard trim with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is available as an option.

Progress at its best: more power on less fuel.
Customers benefit from BMW's new straight-six power units in two important
ways: First, from the significant increase in output and torque, with excellent
high-speed running qualities and turbine-like running smoothness. Second, from
a further improvement of fuel economy.
The BMW 530i also reveals a new level of torque and output: Maximum output of
the 3.0-litre power units is up by 28 bhp, while torque on the 525i is up by 5
Newton-metres (3.7 lb-ft) and the top-of-the-range engine in the BMW 530i comes
with the same level of torque as before.
Overall, this means a significant improvement in performance on the road, with
acceleration from 0-100 km/h coming on average approximately 5 per cent faster.
At the same time BMW's engineers have succeeded in reducing fuel consumption by
up to 10 per cent on each model, the average improvement of fuel economy versus
the former models adding up to a significant figure of approximately 7 per
cent.

Lightest series production six-cylinder in its class.
Introducing the new six-cylinder, BMW is directly continuing its model role as
a pioneer in engine development, the use of composite magnesium/ aluminium
technology setting a milestone in engine technology: For the first time in
modern engine construction, BMW is using magnesium in large-scale production of
a water-cooled crankcase and on both the bedplate as well as the cylinder head
cover.
The revolutionary composite aluminium crankcase weighs just 57 per cent of a
comparable grey-cast iron block, with a reduction in weight versus a crankcase
made entirely of aluminium by 24 per cent.
In a nutshell, therefore, BMW's new straight-six, weighing just 161 kg, is the
world's lightest six-cylinder in its class, ideally supplementing the
lightweight construction of the BMW 5 Series with its front end made of
aluminium all the way back to the A-pillar. BMW's engineers refer to this
technology as the weight-reduced aluminium front section.
With aluminium being two-thirds lighter than steel, customers benefit from the
reduction in weight through greater economy, enhanced dynamism, and outstanding
agility.

Innovations: lightweight camshafts, electrical water pump.
Following introduction of the revolutionary composite aluminium/ magnesium
crankcase, the lightweight camshafts are the second most significant factor
contributing to the unusually low weight of BMW's six-cylinder. The "composite"
camshafts, as they are called, are made by internal high-pressure reforming of
a steel tube, with the cam rings placed on top made of high-strength stainless
steel.
This concept alone serves to reduce the weight of each camshaft by no less than
600 grams.
BMW's new straight-six power units also come with further innovations, BMW
using an electrical water pump for the first time in this family of engines to
convey water in the cooling system. Operating autonomously, the water pump is
controlled quite independently of current engine speed, with the focus
exclusively on the engine's actual need for cooling. Hence, the electrical
water pump helps significantly to reduce fuel consumption of the new
six-cylinder.

Faster revving: second-generation BMW VALVETRONIC.
The unprecedented low weight of BMW's six-cylinder is matched by the engines'
superior power and performance: Output per litre of the three-litre engine in
the 530i, for example, is 89 bhp, placing this unique power unit at the top of
its class. This is largely attributably to BMW's unique VALVETRONIC valve
management, an outstanding innovation by BMW for infinite management of valve
opening times and control timing as a function of the gas pedal position. As a
result, BMW VALVETRONIC allows largely throttle-free load management for
particularly efficient use of fuel and far better engine response.
BMW's straight-six is the first engine to feature second-generation VALVETRONIC
allowing even higher engine speeds. This is made possible by the much stiffer
structure of the valve system thus able to accelerate even more quickly than
before. On the road, this gives the driver even more sporting performance and
engine speed reserves in each gear, with maximum engine speed on the
straight-six being increased by 400 rpm on the 525i/530i to 6400 and,
respectively, 6500 rpm, the engines not cutting off until an even higher 7000
rpm (+500 rpm).

Intelligent xDrive four-wheel drive on the BMW 525i and 530i:
Opening up a new dimension in driving dynamics and traction.
Introducing xDrive four-wheel drive as an option on the BMW 525i and 530i Sedan
and Touring, BMW is expanding its wide range of models in the 5 Series. Teaming
up with features such as sportiness and comfort, roominess and functionality so
typical of the BMW 5 Series, xDrive offers the advantages of superior traction
for extreme requirements. Using the intelligent technology of xDrive introduced
for the first time on the X3 and X5, BMW gives the driver all the benefits of
four-wheel drive whenever required without having to suffer many of the
disadvantages of four-wheel drive the rest of the time. For even in everyday
traffic, the new 5 Series with xDrive are just as agile and dynamic as their
rear-wheel drive sister models, thus setting a new standard in the four-wheel
drive segment.
With the exception of its specific four-wheel-drive functions, the chassis and
suspension of the 5 Series is the same as on the "regular" rear-wheel-drive
models. For reasons of the car's package and space available, two further
options, Active Steering and/or Dynamic Drive, cannot be combined with xDrive.

xDrive: faster than the wheels can spin.
In principle, xDrive in the BMW 5 Series works the same way as the
all-wheel-drive system in the X3 and X5, with its hardware and software
naturally adapted to the specific features and requirements of the 5 Series.
xDrive allows infinite and variable adjustment of drive forces between the
front and rear axle, now setting new standards in terms of agility and dynamic
performance also in the segment of all-wheel-drive saloons.
The system immediately recognises the need to modify the distribution of drive
power when appropriate, responding extremely quickly, usually before even one
of the wheels is able to spin. As a result, xDrive is able to direct optimum
drive forces to the respective axle at any time, for example when the driver
takes a bend in dynamic style, thus minimising both under- and oversteer.
On the road xDrive means a significant enhancement of driving agility, motoring
pleasure and driving safety compared with a conventional four-wheel-drive
system. Suspension control functions such as DSC, for example, are now not
required to cut in until a far later point.
A further advantage of xDrive is the car's better traction on loose or slippery
surfaces, with engine power being fed spontaneously to the wheels with grip on
the road as soon as one of the wheels threatens to spin and therefore lose
traction.
The driver benefits permanently from the advantages of the xDrive system, with
the flow of power being set consistently to the respective driving situation on
the road.

Some examples:

- When setting off under normal conditions the multiple-plate clutch remains
closed until the car reaches a speed of approximately 20 km/h, thus ensuring
maximum traction in the start-up phase. From then on the system distributes
drive power variably between the front and rear axles, depending on driving
conditions and the road surface.
- In bends the instantaneous re-distribution of power reduces the risk of
under- or oversteer: Should the rear end of the car start to swerve around in a
bend, xDrive tightens the multiple-plate clutch and thus feeds an increasing
level of drive power to the front wheels. This allows the rear wheels to build
up more side forces and stabilise the car. Being combined with DSC Dynamic
Stability Control, the system recognises this risk of oversteering at a very
early point in time and intervenes before the driver even notices the change in
driving conditions, the BMW 5 Series thus quite literally "running on rails",
as the old saying goes. DSC Dynamic Stability Control does not cut in until
variable power distribution alone is no longer able to eliminate the risk of
oversteer.
As soon as the car starts to "push" out of a bend over its front axle, xDrive
recognises this risk of understeer thanks to data transmitted from the DSC
control system and sets off this undesired effect by reducing drive forces on
the front axle. In an extreme case, therefore, the car may have up to 100 per
cent of its power on the rear wheels. And again, if even this is not
sufficient, DSC will cut in also in this case, allowing the driver of a
four-wheel-drive 5 Series to manoeuvre his car with almost the same agility as
a rear-wheel-drive 5 Series on, say, serpentine routes and winding roads.
xDrive is even able to set off an abrupt change in engine throttle without
problems: While the time lag between pressing down the accelerator and building
up engine power is at least 200 milliseconds, the multiple-plate clutch opens
and closes completely within just 100 milliseconds.
- When driving with a large steering angle but very little power - the typical
situation when parking - all-wheel drive is cut back to "conventional"
rear-wheel drive, without any unpleasant distortion in the drivetrain or undue
forces affecting the steering.
- On gradients with a slippery surface or, quite generally, on ice or snow, the
locking action between the front and rear axles prevents individual wheels from
spinning. As a result, DSC does not have to take back the gas pedal or apply
the brakes on individual wheels in order to adjust the flow of power until
conditions become really tough. Then, when the driver proceeds again, this
locking action significantly reduces the risk of individual wheels losing their
longitudinal or lateral steering forces, giving the driver the benefit of much
safer and more agile driving behaviour.

The heart of xDrive: electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch.
The electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch in the power divider is the
main factor giving xDrive its particular qualities. Depending on specific
requirements, the electronic control unit modifies the flow of power to the
front axle within milliseconds, in extreme cases even completely disconnecting
or rigidly linking the front and rear axles to provide the necessary behaviour.
The rigid connection established in this way corresponds to the function of a
100 per cent longitudinal lock on conventional four-wheel drive.

xDrive cooperating with DSC
In part, the outstanding performance of xDrive comes from the system's ability
to use all information and data offered by DSC Dynamic Stability Control.
Rotation of the vehicle, for example, is determined via the yaw rate sensor,
the position of the steering wheel is monitored by the steering angle sensor.
Together with data on the speed of the car provided by the wheel sensors,
lateral acceleration, and engine data, xDrive is able to determine at an early
point in time how the car is currently behaving and is able to spread out drive
forces perfectly between the front and rear axles.
Using the electronic brake intervention function, DSC also serves as a lateral
lock directing forces when required to either both front or both rear wheels:
As soon as a wheel threatens to spin without conveying any power, it is
immediately slowed down by the brakes. As a result, the differential in the
final drive automatically feeds more power to the wheel at the other end of the
axle.
As on the rear-wheel-drive 5 Series, DSC Dynamic Stability Control also comes
in this case with its DTC Dynamic Traction Control function allowing greater
wheel spin and a larger drift angle for extreme requirements or a very sporting
style of motoring. And like on all BMW's, DSC may also be completely
deactivated when required.

DSC with new, innovative safety and comfort functions.
The latest generation of Dynamic Stability Control in the BMW 5 Series with
xDrive comes with five new, innovative assistance functions providing
"intelligent" intervention of the brakes for even greater safety and comfort in
many driving situations encountered frequently on the road:

* Hill Start Assist
Hill Start Assist enables the driver to set off smoothly and easily on an
uphill gradient without having to use the parking brake.

* Brake Standby
The Brake Standby function reduces your stopping distance when applying the
brakes in an emergency.

* Rain Brake Support
The Rain Brake Support function improves brake response in the wet.

* Fading Compensation
Fading Compensation ensures a very good brake effect even with extremely hot
brakes.

* Soft Stop
Soft Stop minimises the typical "jolt" of the car when applying the brakes
slightly in coming to a standstill.

Hill Start Assist.
Hill Start Assist enables the driver to set off smoothly on a gradient without
having to use the parking brake:

When setting off on a gradient, Hill Start Assist holds the car in position for
a short while after the driver lets go of the brake pedal, thus allowing him to
set off smoothly and easily without having to use the parking brake. The brake
pressure otherwise applied by the driver to keep the car at a standstill is
maintained automatically in the brake system for approximately 1.5 seconds.
This brake pressure is then reduced when setting off, as long as engine power
is sufficient to accelerate the car. The level of brake pressure held by the
brake system depends on the gradient and whether the car is towing a trailer,
the actual gradient as such being determined by means of a longitudinal
accelerometer.

Brake Standby.
The Brake Standby function shortens the stopping distance required when
applying the brakes in an emergency: Whenever the driver abruptly takes his
foot off the gas pedal the brake linings are applied briefly (0.5 seconds) on
the brake discs, shortening the time required to build up brake pressure for
emergency application of the brakes possibly following next. When applying the
brakes all-out from a speed of 100 km/h, this shortens stopping distances on
average by 0.3 metres. If, on the other hand, the driver does not subsequently
apply the brakes, brake pressure is reduced again without the driver feeling
any deceleration.

Rain Brake Support.
The Rain Brake Support function improves brake response when applying the
brakes in the wet: When driving in the wet, splashwater will leave a film of
water on the brake discs, slowing down the process of brake response. To avoid
this drawback, conventional wisdom was to apply the brakes from time to time in
the wet. Now, with BMW's Rain Brake Support, the brakes are automatically
operated from time to time in response to a signal from the windscreen wipers
or the rain sensor. The brake pressure required in this process for drying the
brake discs is so low that the driver will not feel any deceleration or other
forces acting on the car.

Fading Compensation.
Fading Compensation ensures consistent brake power and forces even when the
brakes are extremely hot:

The brakes of a car may fade under extremely high brake temperatures and
deceleration, requiring the driver to press the brake pedal down further and
apply greater pressure for the usual brake effect. In such a situation Fading
Compensation supports the driver by actively building up additional brake
pressure.

Soft Stop.
Soft Stop reduces the typical "jolt" of the car when coming to a standstill
under slight application of the brakes:

When applying the brakes all the way to a standstill, transition from sliding
to positive friction on the brake discs will create a kind of "jolt" effect
acting on the occupants as an increased deceleration force. The skilled driver
will avoid this by reducing brake pressure even before the car comes to a
standstill. Now Soft Stop does this automatically, reducing brake pressure
under slight pedal forces until the car has come to a complete stop. Whenever
the driver applies the brake pedal under medium or high forces, on the other
hand, this function remains inactive in order to keep stopping distances as
short as possible.

HDC for driving downhill safely in a smooth, controlled process.
As on the X3 and X5, DSC Dynamic Stability Control comes with an additional
program offering numerous advantages on difficult downhill gradients, HDC Hill
Descent Control enabling the driver to proceed smoothly and safely down a hill
for example on loose or slippery surfaces. Without the driver having to
intervene, the 5 Series equipped with xDrive - as with a low-ratio gearbox -
moves smoothly downhill at a consistent pace just a bit faster than walking
speed. Forming an integrated part of DSC Dynamic Stability Control, this
automatic speed control function acts individually on all four wheel brakes.
All the driver has to do to activate or deactivate HDC is press one of the two
freely programmable buttons in the multifunction steering wheel.
HDC can be activated at speeds of up to 35 km/h, automatically reducing the
speed of the 5 Series in a linear deceleration process to approximately 12
km/h then consistently maintained. Depending on his preferences, the driver
may then adjust the speed of the car within the HDC control range from 6 - 25
km/h, simply by pressing the "+" and "-" function on the steering wheel lever
for automatic cruise control. And should the driver accelerate beyond the 35
km/h limit, HDC will switch over to standby, while automatically remaining
deactivated at speeds in excess of 60 km/h.
BMW Trailer Stability Control.
BMW's innovative Trailer Stability Control makes the 5 Series xDrive an even
more convenient, safer high-traction vehicle for towing a trailer.
This system offers additional safety against the risk of the car and trailer
becoming dangerously unstable, with the trailer starting to sway out of control
and leading to the risk of an accident. Considering that the 525xi and 530xi
are able to tow a trailer of up to 2000 kg (525xi with manual gearbox: 1800
kg), this kind of safety is obviously of great significance.
In terms of driving dynamics, every vehicle with a trailer forms a
vibration-prone system with pendulum action growing as a function of road
speed. Even at relatively low speeds a heavy trailer may be difficult, once it
has started to sway, to keep under control if suitable countermeasures are not
taken immediately.
Trailer Stability Control recognises such a dangerous risk of swaying and
applies the brakes quickly on the towing vehicle (and, via the brake line, also
on the trailer) in order to restabilise both the vehicle itself and the trailer
in the interest of greater safety.
The system "recognises" a trailer as soon as the trailer's power supply is
connected to the car and is therefore activated, able to intervene from a speed
of 65 km/h.
This function is implemented by means of the yaw rate signal informing the DSC
control unit of the car's rotational movement. With this signal being
permanently monitored, a vehicle/trailer combination swaying in a pendulum
motion shows a typical signal immediately detected by the control unit. As soon
as a certain limit is exceeded, brake pressure is built up on all four wheels
for a deceleration force between 2.5 and 4 m/sec2, without the driver being
required to intervene. At the same time engine power is briefly reduced to a
minimum.
The rapid drop in speed ensured in this way will quickly stabilise the vehicle
and its trailer, the driver being informed of such active intervention by the
DSC/xDrive telltale flashing on and off. With the system, finally, being part
of DSC, deactivation of DSC naturally also deactivates Trailer Stability
Control.

New features rounding off the range:
Upgraded interior, Servotronic featured as standard, prepared for a Bluetooth
mobile phone complete with a Telematic SIM.
Featuring soft paint surfaces and ruthenium silver trim around the air
conditioning controls, the interior of the BMW 5 Series is becoming even more
sophisticated and stylish than before. The knob on the handbrake lever now
comes as standard in leather, the storage box to the left of the steering wheel
is larger than before and closes conveniently with a cover on top. And to
adjust, say, to a low garage, the opening height of the optional automatic rear
lid opening system on the Touring can be adjusted individually via the on-board
monitor to five stages between 90 and 100 per cent of the maximum opening
height.

As on the Touring, speed-related Servotronic power steering is now also
standard on the Sedan. In combination with the M Sports Package, the Sedan is
available as an alternative with 19-inch wheels in highly attractive
double-spoke design and running on 245 tires up front / 275 tires at the rear,
instead of the standard 18-inch runflat wheels.
Navigation system Professional now comes additionally with a bird's view map
display, short-cut buttons in the map overview allowing faster direct access to
functions such as Traffic Info and Route Criteria, Destination Guidance off/on,
Voice Entry off/on, Switchover to Map Viewing Mode, Points of Interest off/on,
etc.
In combination with the Professional navigation system, BMW now also offers an
innovative Bluetooth mobile phone preparation kit complete with a telematic SIM
fitted within the car. This allows the user, without even picking up his
telephone, to establish a separate link to BMW's Assist and Online telematics
services. And a further advantage is that BMW's emergency call function is now
also available without the telephone.
The BMW Assist and BMW Online telematics platform is related individually for
each market to the fitment of the Professional navigation system as well as a
telephone in the car. In Germany the use of these two services - BMW Assist and
BMW Online - is free-of-charge for the first six months and is then available
against an annual basic fee.

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