BMW 545i and BMW 525i in showrooms now.

Shortly after the launch of the all-new BMW 530i and 530d in October
last year, they are joined by the BMW 545i featuring a 4.4-litre V8
VALVETRONIC power unit previously only available in the BMW 745i, and
by the BMW 525i with the 2.5-litre straight-six power unit we already
know from its predecessor. The BMW 545i: Driving dynamics and
highly-refined comfort. The 4,398 cc V8 aluminium unit powering the BMW
545i with VALVETRONIC, Bi-VANOS, a fully-variable intake manifold and
other high-tech features delivers 245 kW, an increase in performance of
35 kW compared to its predecessor, the 540i. Maximum torque is up to
450 Nm and the torque curve is significantly 'beefier' throughout the
entire speed range. Consequently, more than 80 percent of maximum
torque - this being reached at around 3,600 rpm - is available at
between 1,500 and 6,400 rpm. The perfectly synchronized six-speed manual
gearbox, which will also be optionally available as an SMG gearbox with
sequential gearshift, ensures efficient power transmission.
Alternatively there is the choice of a six-speed automatic transmission
with adaptive control and Steptronic first introduced with the 7 Series
BMW. The BMW 545i (545i Automatic) behaves just like a real sports car,
sprinting from 0-100 km/h in a mere 5.8 (5.9) seconds and accelerating
from 80-120 km/h in fourth gear in just 5.8 (-) seconds. Top speed is
electronically limited at 250 km/h, this speed being reached in fifth
and sixth gear. The sixth gear serves as an overdrive that reduces
engine speed, thus lowering both noise levels and fuel consumption. In
spite of significantly higher performance, considerably more space
inside and a vast array of standard equipment, a marked reduction in
fuel consumption was achieved thanks to a combination of highly
efficient drive technology, an intelligently designed lightweight
construction and excellent aerodynamics. Consequently, it was possible
to reduce fuel consumption in the composite EU cycle, which is now 10.9
(10.6) litres/100 km - 1.4 (1.7) litres less than its predecessor. The
545i fully complies with EU emission standards. The suspension has
been adapted to cope with substantially increased driving dynamics.
Hence the BMW 545i is equipped with 8 J x 17 alloys and 245/45 tyres as
standard (larger 18" alloys are available as an option). A
generously-sized 17" high-performance braking system with
aluminium floating callipers and internally-ventilated lightweight
brake discs ensure superb stopping power and excellent stability
coupled with supreme driving comfort. While on the subject of
dynamics, the 545i comes standard with BMW's acclaimed Active Front
Steering. Active Front Steering offers a new level of driving comfort,
motoring pleasure and safety on the road. Masterminded electronically,
this sophisticated system varies the steering transmission ratio under
normal driving conditions at low and medium road speeds, making the
steering more direct, reducing the steering effort, and thus
significantly enhancing the car' s agile performance in city traffic,
when parking and in bends. At high speeds, in turn, the steering
becomes more indirect and thus provides superior directional stability
and a very good, docile steering response. Networked to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control, Active Front Steering is able to intervene as soon
as the car starts to become unstable by monitoring the yaw rate and
changing the steering angle accordingly. This reduces the number of DSC
interventions at the lower end of the control range and thus offers
optimum control comfort for the driver and his passengers. Moving
indoors, with its leather upholstery, high-grade wood trim, all-electric
comfort seat adjustment for both driver and front passenger - the
driver's seat has a memory function - the interior of the BMW 545i has
plenty to offer in the luxury stakes. The 545i standard equipment also
includes Active Steering, Comfort seats, Adaptive Lights (incl. Xenon
headlights), an Extended lights package and a Hi-fi loudspeaker system.
As with other models in the range, a full list of other very tempting
options are on offer including such notables as Dynamic Drive* (roll
stabilization) and Head-up Display. From the outside, the BMW 545i is -
setting aside the model designation - instantly recognizable by the
chrome-plated slats in the BMW kidney grille and the dual exhaust tips,
these being larger in radius and oval-shaped instead of round. The
BMW 525i: Highly-refined driving machine occupying a middle position in
the six-cylinder line-up. The familiar aluminium straight-six engine
of the BMW 525i with Bi-VANOS and a resonance intake manifold displaces
2,494 cc, develops 141 kW and reaches maximum torque (245 Nm) at 3,500
rpm. As is the case with all other new 5 Series models, it is equipped
with a six-speed manual gearbox. This model is also available with a
six-speed automatic gearbox featuring Steptronic. The BMW 525i (525i
Automatic) sprints from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 (8.7) seconds, accelerating
in fourth gear from 80-120 km/h in 8.4 (-) seconds. The top speed of
235(230) km/h is reached in fifth gear, the sixth gear also serving as
overdrive. In the EU combined cycle, fuel consumption averages at 9.4
(9.9) litres/100 km. The 525i fully complies with EU emission
standards. Standard equipment of the 525i is virtually on a par with
the six-cylinder variants 530i and 530d both inside and outside, the
two exceptions being the omission of the 6-disc CD shuttle (the
front-loading single CD player remains standard) and Servotronic
(variable steering assistance depending on speed). Please note,
however, that both of the aforementioned are available as optional
extras. All new 5 Series models have been provided with a significantly
extended range of equipment including not only a six-speed manual
gearbox, but also automatic climate control, semi-electrically
adjustable seats (fully adjustable on the 530i & 545i), a
multifunction steering wheel, a rain sensor with headlight control and
rear-seat head airbags. Moreover it features as standard a 6.5"
colour screen control display, via which, for example, the 'Business'
radio with CD player can be controlled. The only visual indicator of
the 525i's 'entry-level' status are the standard 16" alloys shod
with 225/55 R16 tyres (non- Run Flat) - 17" alloys are available
as an option. As with other models in the range, significant options
include the innovative Active Steering, the active body roll
stabilization system Dynamic Drive, Run Flat tyres, Adaptive
Headlights, the Head-up Display, a mobile phone preparation with
Bluetooth interface and a six-speed SMG gearbox (not available on the
530d). *Dynamic Drive. The new BMW 5 Series introduces BMW's
innovative optional active body control system into the upper midrange
segment. Already well known as BMW Dynamic Drive, this system, which
made its world debut in the BMW 7 Series, combines superior driving
comfort with sporting driving dynamics: Whilst the driver and
passengers will hardly feel any bumps or uneven surfaces when driving
straight ahead, Dynamic Drive suppresses body roll in bends and thus
ensures superior agility and stability under all driving conditions.
Indeed, the noticeable increase in driving safety, the nimble response
of the car, and the accuracy of the steering in virtually all
manoeuvres set new standards in sophisticated chassis and suspension
technology. The passengers at the rear also experience this
unparalleled smoothness on the road referred to by the engineer as
dynamic, vertical stabilisation of the car as a significant improvement
in motoring comfort. Dynamic Drive largely overrides the conflict of
interest between handling and vibration comfort, since the system is
able to set the springs and dampers to a superior level of vibration
control and superior driving comfort on the road all in one. Dynamic
Drive is made up of two active anti-roll bars, a valve block with
integrated sensors, a dual oil pump, an accelerometer, a control unit
and additional supply components. The key elements are the two active
anti-roll bars taking the place of conventional, mechanical roll bars on
the front and rear axle. An active roll bar or actuator is made up of a
hydraulically operated swivel motor incorporating a swivel motor shaft
and housing each connected to one half of the anti-roll bar. The
active roll bars convert hydraulic pressure into torsional and, via the
firm connection to the body, stabilisation forces. When driving straight
ahead the two halves of the anti-roll bar are allowed to move freely in
order to avoid any unwanted and unpleasant sway motion caused by
asymmetric bumps or unevenness on the road. On the road, Dynamic Drive
absorbs virtually all roll movements, say, in urban traffic,
maintaining full balance of the vehicle up to a lateral acceleration of
0.3 g. When driving straight ahead, in turn, the car's occupants enjoy
optimum suspension comfort even on bumpy roads thanks to disconnection
of the two halves of the anti-roll bars avoiding any unpleasant
"copying effect", and the 5 Series Saloon drives smoothly
through long, stretched-out bends without any unpleasant side sway or
rocking motion. Even when driving fast on winding country roads, where
the ambitious driver can achieve lateral acceleration of up to 0.6 g,
the system reduces body sway by 80 per cent and more. In such dynamic
driving situations typically including lane change or rapid steering
manoeuvres, Dynamic Drive masterminds the car's steering behaviour
according to specific requirements by means of a control map. The
result is even greater tracking accuracy and enhanced load change
behaviour, which in practice means greater active safety. The fact
nevertheless remains that even Dynamic Drive cannot override the laws
of physics: With lateral acceleration reaching the extreme limit in a
fast bend, the side angle of a car increases consistently and
noticeably. At the same time the car changes in its behaviour from a
more neutral stance to a slight understeer, this deliberate change in
suspension serving to warn the driver without making him feel unsafe or insecure.