Novel 258-hp BMW 528i to Come Later in 2010 After 535i, 550i
Though we focused on the new engines in the 2011 BMW 535i and 550iin our earlier post, the 528i sedanis actually the best-selling model of the 5 Series line. It will turn up here a few months after the F10 5 Series goes on sale in the U.S.
It'll also make quite a bit more power than the 2010 car. BMW rates the 2011 BMW 528i's normally-aspirated, magnesium/aluminum, 3.0-liter (2996cc) inline six-cylinder at 258 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 228 pound-feet of torque from 2,600 rpm. Compare that to the 2010 528i's 230 hp at 6,500 rpm and 200 pound-feet at 2,750 rpm.
And just like the more powerful 5 Series cars, the 528i will be available with the either the new six-speed manual gearbox with dry-sump oiling, or more realistically for most customers, the new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters if youbuy the Sport package).
Along with the rear-wheel-drive 528i will comeall-wheel-drive xDrive versions of every 5 Series model — 528xi, 535xi and 550xi. BMW still hasn't decided whether to give us another 535xi wagon because it's such a slower seller in the U.S. — and because it's thought that the 535i Gran Turismo will pick up the slack and then some.
In mid-2011, we'll see a diesel5 Series, the 535d, which willuse a 3.0-liter inline-6, butwith a single, twin-scroll turbocharger, instead of the twin turbos in the current 335dand X5 xDrive35d.
Two videos after the jump. One shows running footage of the 2011 5 Series, and the other is a design walkaround with Design Director Adrian van Hooydonk.
First Look: 2001 BMW 5 Series
