Press Release
Powerful and supreme: eight-cylinder power units in the BMW 5 Series.
The eight-cylinder versions of the Saloon and Touring offer the highest standard of driving pleasure and performance imaginable in a BMW 5 Series: Motoring refinement of a supreme calibre, equally supreme power and muscle over a wide range of engine speed, and exemplary efficiency – these are the principal fortes of the two aluminium V8 power units. Both the 4.8-litre in the BMW 550i and the 4.0 litre in the BMW 540i come with BMW’s throttle-free VALVETRONIC valve management, double VANOS variable camshaft control on the intake and exhaust side, as well as an intake manifold switching in two stages.
Thanks to these highlights in technology, newly set up engine management, and a wide range of improvements serving to minimise fuel consumption, the eight-cylinder power units offer not only a smooth and immediate response to the gas pedal as well as a muscular torque curve from the ground up, but also a surprisingly high standard of all-round economy and low emissions for engines of this size and with this kind of power. And it almost goes without saying that both of these V8 power units, like all six-cylinder versions of the BMW 5 Series, fulfil the Euro 4 emission standard in every respect. In the BMW 550i the latest version of BMW’s 4.8-litre eight-cylinder develops maximum output of 270 kW/367 hp. Peak torque, in turn, is a mighty 490 Newton-metres or 361 lb-ft. On the road, this offers performance raising both the Saloon and the Touring to the level of an outstanding sports car: Acceleration to 100 km/h in the BMW 550i Saloon comes in 5.2, acceleration to 100 km/h in the BMW 550i Touring in 5.3 seconds. Top speed of both models, in turn, is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.
However, it is not only the dynamic performance, but also the all-round economic efficiency of these eight-cylinders that sets a truly unique standard: Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 10.9 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 25.9 mpg Imp) in the Saloon and 11.2 litres/100 kilometres (25.2 mpg Imp) in the Touring. And in conjunction with BMW’s new six-speed automatic transmission, fuel consumption of the BMW 550i is an even more economical 10.3 litres (27.4 mpg Imp) in the Saloon and 10.7 litres (26.4 mpg Imp) in the Touring.
The 4.0-litre eight-cylinder in the BMW 540i Saloon offers equally outstanding power and performance, developing maximum output of 225 kW/306 hp and peak torque of 390 Newton-metres or 287 lb-ft. On the road, this accelerates the BMW 540i to 100 km/h in a mere 6.1 seconds and gives the car a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) cut off by the electronic limiter.
The 4.0-litre eight-cylinder also benefits from modified engine management and a wide range of improvements for reducing fuel consumption, setting a new standard for efficiency in this class of power and performance. Average fuel consumption in the EU cycle is down to just 10.5 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 26.9 mpg Imp) in the new BMW 540i – and the automatic transmission model is even more fuel-efficient, making do with just 9.7 litres/100 kilometres (29.1 mpg Imp) on average. In comparison with the former model, this means a reduction in fuel consumption by up to 7 per cent.
High Precision Injection for a significant enhancement of fuel economy.
The wide range of straight-six power units available in the BMW 5 Series offers the customer a choice of no less than three stages of power and performance. And the most significant feature shared by these three outstanding engines is second-generation direct gasoline injection. Contrary to first-generation direct injection BMW intentionally never used on account of its inherent disadvantages, High Precision Injection allows fuel-efficient lean burn operation of the engine through a broad load range and also at higher engine speeds. This is made possible by innovative injectors positioned between the valves and injecting fuel into an area directly around the spark plug.
This improvement in technology achieved by BMW’s engine development specialists despite confined space within the combustion chamber sets the foundation for the new jet-guided combustion process ensuring particularly precise fuel injection without the loss of fuel encountered in the conventional process due to fuel mist wasted on the walls of the cylinder.
The new piezo-injectors deliver fuel into the cylinder at a pressure of up to 200 bar, thus ensuring a particularly refined and precise fuel/air mixing process. The amount of fuel injected is geared precisely to current power requirements, including optimised pre- and post-injection. Through this innovation, BMW’s engineers are not only enhancing the all-round efficiency of the engine, but also its smooth and immediate response at all times.
Direct fuel injection combined with lean burn operation gives the new six-cylinder power units in the BMW 5 Series truly outstanding efficiency and all-round economy. Also referred to as stratified cylinder charging, lean burn fuel injection serves to develop superior engine power and performance on less fuel. The main principle in the lean burn mode is that different layers of the fuel/air mixture build up within the combustion chamber. A layer of fuel/ air mixture sufficiently rich and therefore ignitable is formed only in the direct vicinity of the spark plug. Once this layer of fuel and air has ignited, the leaner layers at a greater distance from the spark plug will also start to burn.
This innovative technology reduces fuel consumption in the EU test cycle by approximately 10 per cent versus the former engine with fully variable valve drive, which as such was already widely lauded for its very high standard of efficiency. And since High Precision Injection allows efficient lean burn operation of the engine also at higher loads, the result in practice is a considerable enhancement of fuel economy.
Three straight-six power units with direct gasoline injection.
The range of engines in the new BMW 5 Series comprises no less than three new straight-six power units featuring BMW’s new direct gasoline injection. Two of these engines come with displacement of 3.0 litres, the third is a 2.5-litre.
In the BMW 530i the 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine develops a dynamic 200 kW/272 hp, that is 10 kW/14 hp more than its predecessor with conventional fuel supply. Peak torque, in turn, is 320 Newton-metres or 236 lb-ft.
This kind of power accelerates the Saloon to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, and enables the BMW 530i Touring to reach the same mark in almost the same, equally dynamic 6.5 seconds. Top speed on both models is limited electronically to 250 km/h or 155 mph.
At 7.7 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 36.7 mpg Imp) in the Saloon version of the BMW 530i and at 7.9 litres/100 kilometres (35.8 mpg Imp) in the Touring, fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is approximately 12 per cent more economical than on the former models. And indeed, the automatic transmission versions now making do with just 7.5 litres/37.7 mpg Imp (Saloon) and, respectively, 7.7 litres/36.7 mpg Imp (Touring) are even more economical and fuel-efficient. Within the engine compartment of the BMW 525i, the 3.0-litre straight-six develops maximum output of 160 kW/218 hp and peak torque of 270 Newton-metres or 199 lb-ft. Powered by this version of BMW’s new direct injection engine, the Saloon accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 248 km/h or 154 mph. The BMW 525i Touring, in turn, sprints to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 243 km/h or 151 mph. Average fuel consumption under the EU standard, finally, is 7.4 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 38.2 mpg Imp) in the BMW 525i Saloon and, respectively, 7.7 litres/100 kilometres (36.7 mpg Imp) in the BMW 525i Touring.
As the third six-cylinder featuring High Precision Injection, the 2.5-litre in the BMW 523i develops maximum output of 140 kW/190 hp and peak torque of 235 Newton-metres/173lb-ft. Again, this boosts the power and torque of this engine by 10 kw/14 hp and, respectively, 5 Newton-metres/3.7 lb-ft over the output and torque of the previous model.
Benefiting from this extra power, the BMW 523i Saloon accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds, as opposed to 8.5 seconds on the former model. Top speed, in turn, is 237 km/h or 147 mph. The new BMW 523i Touring accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed of 230 km/h or 143 mph.
Average fuel consumption in the EU cycle is approximately 12 per cent lower than on the former models, amounting to 7.3 litres/100 kilometres (38.7 mpg Imp) in the BMW 523i Saloon and 7.7 litres(36.7 mpg Imp) in the BMW 523i Touring.
Diesel engines sporting and dynamic all round.
The diesel-powered BMW 535d, BMW 530d and BMW 525d combine outstanding muscle with supreme efficiency. Apart from their 3.0 litres engine capacity, these straight-six power units also benefit from turbocharging and third-generation common-rail fuel injection.
The outstanding fortes of BMW’s new six-cylinder diesels, resulting from these innovative technologies, are impressive power and exemplary running smoothness at all times, all three engine variants offering an ideal balance of optimised performance and enhanced economy based on BMW’s Efficient Dynamics.
The main differences between the various engines lie in their power and performance characteristics: While the power unit featured in the new BMW 525d offers an unusually muscular but at the same time particularly economic entry into the range of six-cylinder diesels, the Variable Twin Turbo in the new BMW 535d is further enhancing its leadership as the world’s most sporting and dynamic diesel.
Each of these new diesel engines comes with an all-aluminium crankcase serving to reduce engine weight by a significant margin. The power unit in the new BMW 535d, for example, is approximately 20 kg or 44 lb lighter than its predecessor. This reduction in weight benefits not only the car’s fuel economy, but also the high standard of all-round agility significantly improved once again by the reduction of weight on the front axle.
BMW’s new diesel engines feature the latest generation of common-rail fuel injection with piezo injectors guaranteeing even more precise and, accordingly, efficient fuel injection with a positive influence on both fuel economy and the development of engine power. Emission management has also been improved to a new standard, a particulates filter of the latest generation and an oxidation catalyst both being integrated in one joint housing.
Positioned directly next to the engine, the exhaust management unit reaches its operating temperature immediately after the engine has fired, thus providing its full effect at a particularly early point in time. The particulates filter does not require any service or maintenance and regenerates itself through the combustion of diesel particles. The filter function is performed consistently at all engine speeds and under all loads, without the slightest influence on engine power and fuel consumption.
Variable Twin Turbo technology for unique driving dynamics.
The new version of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder featuring Variable Twin Turbo (VTT) technology in the BMW 535d is a thrilling example of Efficient Dynamics of the highest calibre. The most sporting diesel in its class the world over now develops maximum output up by 10 kW/14 hp to 210 kW/286 hp and peak torque of 580 Newton-metres/427 lb-ft, likewise an improvement by 20 Nm or almost 15 lb-ft. At the same time the engine’s DIN weight has been reduced to 194 kg or 428 lb, making BMW’s new high-performance diesel approximately 50 kg or 110 lb lighter than a comparable powerful eight cylinder – certainly the ideal foundation for new performance of the highest calibre.
Among other features, the car’s even faster and more dynamic acceleration is a clear expression of this enhanced agility: The BMW 535d accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds (Touring: 6.5 seconds) and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph (limited electronically). Economy and fuel efficiency also reach new standards, average fuel consumption of the new BMW 535d in the EU test cycle amounting to just 6.8 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 41.5 mpg Imp) in the Saloon and 7.0 litres (40.3 mpg Imp) in the Touring, which means a reduction of fuel consumption by approximately 15 per cent versus the previous model.
Optimised turbocharger technology.
The outstanding efficiency offered by these power units is attributable in particular to optimised Variable Twin Turbo technology: Applying the VTT principle, a small turbocharger first cuts in at low engine speeds. Thanks to its low inertia, this small turbocharger develops its power boost spontaneously and without the slightest delay in response to even the smallest movements of the gas pedal. Then, with engine speed increasing, the second, larger turbocharger cuts in, helping to give the engine its maximum torque of 580 Newton-metres or 427 lb-ft at just 1,750 rpm. Interaction of the two turbochargers is masterminded by a particularly efficient and intelligent electronic engine “brain”.
Optimised: 3.0-litre diesel with variable turbine geometry.
The straight-six diesel in the new BMW 530d developing maximum output now increased to 173 kW/235 hp also features the latest generation of common-rail fuel injection and an all-aluminium crankcase. On this version of the 3.0-litre a turbocharger system with variable turbine geometry (VTG) ensures muscular and at the same time harmonious power and performance tailored to all driving conditions and requirements.
Here again, maximum torque – in this case 500 Newton-metres or 369 lb-ft – comes at just 1,750 rpm, accelerating the Saloon to 100 km/h in 6.8 and the Touring in 6.9 seconds. Top speed of the new BMW 530d, in turn, is 250 km/h (155 mph) in the Saloon and 245 km/h (145 mph) in the Touring. And average fuel consumption under the EU standard of 6.4 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 44.1 mpg Imp) in the Saloon and, respectively, 6.6 litres (42.8 mpg Imp) in the Touring underlines the particular efficiency of this engine variant. Indeed, compared with the former models, fuel consumption is down by approximately 12 per cent, depending on the transmission chosen.
The power unit of the new BMW 525d offers all the muscle and performance of a modern diesel with even greater all-round economy: The third version of BMW’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder featuring common rail fuel injection, an all-aluminium crankcase and a VTG turbocharger develops maximum output of 145 kW/197 hp and peak torque of 400 Newton-metres/295 lb-ft. This accelerates the BMW 525d Saloon to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds, and makes the BMW 525d Touring almost just as fast at 7.8 seconds.
Top speed, in turn, is 237 km/h or 147 mph in the Saloon and 232 km/h or 144 mph in the Touring. Average fuel consumption under the EU standard, finally, is 6.2 litres/100 km (equal to 45.6 mpg Imp) in the BMW 525d Saloon and, respectively, 6.4 litres (44.1 mpg Imp) in the BMW 525d Touring, equalling a reduction in fuel consumption over the former models, depending on the transmission, by up to 17 per cent.
At its entry level, the new BMW 5 Series is again available with BMW’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel featuring common-rail fuel injection and VTG turbocharger technology for particularly temperamental power and supreme economy. Offering maximum output of 120 kW/163 hp and peak torque of 340 Nm/251 lb-ft, the power unit in the BMW 520d ensures sporting performance on the road, with the Saloon accelerating to 100 km/h in just 8.6, the Touring in 8.9 seconds. Top speed is 223 km/h or 138 mph in the Saloon and, respectively, 218 km/h or 135 mph in the Touring. And despite the dynamic character also borne out by this version of the new BMW 5 Series, average fuel consumption of the BMW 520d in the EU cycle is just 5.9 litres (6.1 litres) for 100 kilometres, equal to 47.9 and, respectively, 46.3 mpg Imp.
The diesel engines in the BMW 5 Series offer a thrilling combination of sporting dynamics and supreme all-round economy. Developing these particularly refined, high-torque and light diesels, BMW is indeed making a significant contribution to the popularity of this engine concept.
With the demands made of the new straight-six diesel engines in the BMW 5 Series increasing all the time, these new power units offer an admirable all-round solution catering for all needs and requirements. Once again, therefore, the BMW Group, with these new engines, is confirming its leadership in engine and drivetrain technology.
