BMW 520d: High Efficiency, High Luxury

Motoring Channel Staff - 14/August/2007

Melbourne, Australia — BMW will launch a new 5 Series model in November, powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine. The small and highly economic all-alloy 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine joins the throng of other diesel-powered Beemers currently available in Australia spanning it's small car, medium car, and SUV ranges.

With the advent of the new model, BMW claims that it "clearly leads the premium diesel market in Australia".

Priced at under $80,000, it's also one of the cheapest 5 Series models in Australia. Pricing is as follows:

BMW 520d: $79,900

Equipped as standard with BMW's 6-speed automatic gearbox, the 520d makes the 5 Series "accessible to an even wider range of Australian luxury car buyers" says the German company.

Standard features on the BMW 520d are nothing short of comprehensive: high-gloss wood interior trim in Bamboo grain, Poplar brown or Poplar light, Dakota leather upholstery, Control Display with 6.5-inch colour monitor and Radio Navigation, Bluetooth preparation, in-dash CD player (CD changer in glove box), USB/Audio interface, dual automatic climate control, automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror, multi-function leather steering wheel, on-board computer, and electric seats.

Safety systems are also A-grade, featuring 8 airbags as standard, along with driving aids such as ABS, Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control Plus Traction). It also gets 16-inch alloy wheels.

Powered by a 4-cylinder diesel engine, the 520d outputs 125kW @ 4000rpm and 340Nm of torque @ 1750rpm. The small 4-cylinder engine provides the 5 Series with impressive pulling power thanks to a variable-geometry turbocharger.

Equipped as standard with BMW's 6-speed automatic gearbox, the 520d is accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 8.6 seconds. It's also very efficient, one of the most efficient in its class and even rivalling some small cars in terms of fuel usage: a mere 6.1 litres/100km on the combined cycle.

CO2 outputs are also low, with 162g/km made possible thanks to "the combination of advanced BMW engine management and the standard exhaust system particle filter".

Now, BMW firmly stamps its mark on the luxury segment with the arrival in November of the new 520d turbo-diesel sedan.

More: Sports Automatic Transmission. BMW is now offering a new sports gearbox system on high end 5 Series models. Priced at $1,000, the optional extra is available on the 530i, 530d and 550i, and adds a 6-speed automatic transmission which, at the touch of a button, changes the shifting points of the gearbox and also alters throttle response for improved acceleration.

The Sport automatic transmission option also includes a multi-function sport leather steering wheel, featuring paddle shifters.

Related articles:
- BMW M3 (2008)
- BMW 6 Series Update (2007)
- BMW 130i M Sport (Road Test)
- BMW 120i (Road Test)
- BMW 3 Series Coupe (2007)
- BMW Hydrogen 7 (2007)
- BMW 3 Series Convertible (2007)
- BMW Concept CS (Concept)