BMW at the 2005 NAIAS

Press Release

Short Story

• World debut: BMW 5 Series with new six-cylinder engines and optional all-wheel drive.
  The BMW 5 Series will become even more appealing: Featuring new, innovative six-cylinder engines as well as BMW's intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system as an option, this successful BMW model series clearly reaffirms its claim to leadership in the market. The new 523i and 530i Touring models round off the range of six-cylinders within the 5 Series.

• 5 Series Touring makes its U.S. debut.
  The 530xi Touring combines sporting performance, versatility and outstanding comfort with generous space and roominess inside. It clearly stands in a class of its own. It offers even more space in the rear, a variable luggage compartment with volume ranging from 17.5-56.5 cu. ft. (500-1,615 liters). Its all-wheel-drive system, features xDrive and Hill Descent Control (HDC), BMW's panorama sliding/vent roof, a Head-Up Display as well as Adaptive Headlights.

• Curtains open for the new M5.
  The most powerful BMW 5 Series the world has ever seen, the new BMW M5, is being presented to the U.S. public in Detroit. With its V10 engine, maximum output of 500 hp (SAE net) - 507 bhp -, maximum torque of 383 lb-ft or 510 Nm, and seven-speed SMG transmission, this supreme car re-defines the limits to the sports saloon fully suitable for everyday motoring.

• BMW H2R: Setting up new records with hydrogen drive.
  Achieving no less than nine world speed records, BMW's H2R Hydrogen Record Car has clearly proven the great potential of the hydrogen car with a combustion engine. This prototype is based on the 12-cylinder engine carried over from the BMW 760i and developing maximum output of more than 285 bhp/210 kW on hydrogen. This gives the BMW H2R a top speed in excess of 186 mph (300 km/h) with acceleration to 62 mph (100 km/h) in approximately six seconds.

World debut: 5 Series with all-wheel drive.

BMW is presenting the two 525xi and 530xi all-wheel-drive models to the world public for the first time in Detroit in both Sedan and Touring guise. BMW xDrive allows the driver to use the advantages of all-wheel drive whenever he or she wishes, without suffering the drawbacks of many all-wheel-drive systems: While conventional all-wheel drive only responds when the wheels are already spinning, xDrive begins to react even before wheel spin is able to build up. Via an electronically controlled multiple- plate clutch, the flow of power is redistributed within milliseconds between the two axles in the interest of enhanced traction, driving stability and agility.

Innovation at its best: BMW's new six-cylinder engines.

BMW is also presenting a new family of engines in Detroit, engines setting new standards in every respect: The new inline-six gasoline engines with more power, greater fuel economy and lower weight than their predecessors making these the lightest six-cylinders in their segment.

Apart from fully variable VALVETRONIC valve drive now enhanced to an even higher standard, the composite magnesium/aluminum crankcase, lightweight camshafts, the electric water pump, the fully controlled oil pump, single-belt drive and the magnesium cylinder head cover are the most outstanding innovations featured by the new family of engines.

The new engines replace the former six-cylinder engines displacing 2.2, 2.5, and 3.0 liters. The "basic" engine in the 523i displaces 2.5 liters and develops maximum output of 177 bhp (130 kW), together with maximum torque of 169 lb-ft (230 Nm). The 2.5-liter engine in the 525i develops maximum output of 218 bhp (160 kW) and maximum torque of 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) between 2,750 and 4,250 rpm. The top-of-the-range six-cylinder in the 530i displaces 2,996 cc and develops maximum output of 258 bhp (190 kW) at 6,600 rpm. Maximum torque, in turn, is 221 lb-ft (300 Newtonmeters) in the broad speed range between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm.

The new generation of engines offers the customer higher output and more torque over a broader useful speed range on even less fuel than before. On average, fuel consumption is down by approximately 7 per cent versus the previous models.

Top speed of the 523i is 146 mph or 235 km/h, the 525i reaches a top speed of 152 mph or 245 km/h, and the 530i is cut off electronically at a top speed of 155 mph or 250 km/h. The range of models available in the USA comprises the 525i/525xi and the 530i/530xi both as Sedans, as well as the 530xi Touring.

Making its debut in the USA: the 5 Series Touring.

BMW presents the new 5 Series Touring to the American public for the first time at the 2005 North American International Auto Show, this time as the 530xi combining sporting performance, superior function, outstanding comfort and generous space inside. Other feature boasted on the car include xDrive with Hill Descent Control, a panorama sliding roof, BMW's Head-Up Display as well as Adaptive Headlights.

Measuring 190.6 inches or 4.84 meters in length, the BMW 5 Series Touring is 1.50 inches (38 millimetres) longer, 1.81 inches (46 millimetres) wider, and 0.91 inches (23 millimetres) higher than its predecessor. This increase in size provides particular benefits inside the car especially through the even larger luggage capacity.

The rear lid opens and closes automatically as an option simply by pressing a button on the key. Convenient access to the variable luggage compartment is also possible through the rear window, which opens separately for smaller odds and ends. Luggage compartment capacity varies from 17.5-56.5 cu ft (500-1,615 liters) with the rear-seat bench folded down and the car loaded up to roof level - that is 3.15 cu ft (90 liters) more than on the previous model.

New BMW M5 makes its U.S. debut.

The absolute pinnacle in Sports Sedan motoring has a name: BMW M5. Relatively reserved and even modest in its looks, this super-sports is the most sophisticated and powerful 5 Series the world has ever seen: five liters capacity, 10 cylinders, 500 hp (SAE net) output, 383 lb-ft maximum torque, and engine speeds in excess of 8,000 rpm. The BMW M5 boasts the most innovative drive concept in its class, the best power-to-weight ratio, truly supreme handling, as well as outstanding everyday driving qualities.

The seven-speed SMG gearbox is the first transmission in the world with seven sequential gears and a Drivelogic function offering no less than 11 gearshift options. BMW's V10 is the only high-speed engine currently available in a production sedan, making the M5 BMW's most powerful production model. Running at engine speeds of up to 8 250 rpm and with specific output of 100 hp/liter aluminum engine in bedplate design and with double-VANOS is comparable to a racing engine in every respect.

Particularly the car's acceleration and driving dynamics make the M5 truly outstanding on the road: acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) comes in less than 5 seconds and the M5 reaches 124 mph or 200 km/h after approximately 15 seconds. This ongoing surge of power continues all the way to 155 mph or 250 km/h, where the speed of the M5 is finally limited electronically.

Together with the variable M differential lock and DSC with two dynamic driving programs available on demand, the chassis and suspension with Electronic Damper Control EDC provides a perfect match for this outstanding power. Benefiting from its extra-large and highly efficient braking system carried over from motorsport, the M5 comes to a standstill from 62 mph (100 km/h) after just 118 feet (36 meters), with stopping distance of less than 460 feet (140 meters) from a speed of 124 mph (200 km/h).

BMW H2R: Braking records with the hydrogen combustion engine.

BMW is presenting the H2R Hydrogen World Speed Record Car in Detroit. In September 2004 this prototype impressively proved the potential of a hydrogen car with a combustion engine, achieving nine records in one day. This clearly proves the BMW Group's conviction that hydrogen can replace conventional fuel without the driver having to forego the performance and dynamics of a modern premium automobile.

Displacing six liters, the 12-cylinder engine featured in BMW's record-breaking car is based on the gasoline engine featured in the BMW 760i, developing more than 285 bhp/210 kW. This accelerates the prototype to 62 mph (100 km/h) in approximately six seconds and gives the car a top speed of 187.5 mph or 302.4 km/h.

The BMW H2R was developed by BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH in just 10 months, benefiting in the process from the series development of BMW's hydrogen car based on the 7 Series. The aerodynamically optimized outer skin of the record-breaking prototype made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic gives H2R a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.21.

With a full tank and with the driver at the wheel, the BMW H2R weighs just 1,560 kg or 3,440 lb, not only setting up world speed records, but also emitting nothing but vapor.

The BMW H2R World Record Car has set up the following world records, among others: One mile with a flying start in 19.9 seconds, one mile with a standing start in 36.7seconds, and 10 miles with a standing start in 221.1 seconds.