2024 BMW 540d xDrive priced
Big new diesel luxury sedan will be an outlier in its segmentBMW Australia has done what many premium auto brands are shying away from by announcing a new diesel passenger model: the 2024 BMW 540d xDrive.
Priced from $134,900 plus on-road costs, the new diesel-powered large premium sedan will come with a 3.0-litre straight six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine outputting 223kW/670Nm.
The 540d is just the second purely combustion-powered version of the eighth-generation (G60) BMW 5 Series sedan released Down Under in late 2023, joining the existing 520i and two versions of the battery-electric i5, plus the i5 M60 xDrive Touring – the only wagon variant so far.
It’s due to arrive around the same time as the just-revealed BMW M5 plug-in hybrid, in the final quarter of this year (October-December).
The all-wheel drive 540d xDrive sedan’s torquey diesel six is supported by a 48-volt starter/generator that can temporarily contribute up to 13kW/200Nm to the powertrain, though not regularly enough for it to count towards the system’s overall outputs.
An eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, helping to hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.2 seconds.
No Australian fuel consumption data has yet been provided, but in Europe the 540d xDrive is rated at 5.8-6.3L/100km (WLTP).
Standard equipment highlights for the new mid-range 5 Series variant will include 20-inch M alloy wheels, adaptive dampers, M Sport brakes, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, Merino leather upholstery, an 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, power-adjustable sport seats, comfort access, powered boot lid, ambient lighting and a fixed glass roof.
Options packs, meantime, will comprise the Comfort Package ($5700, including a heated steering wheel and rear seats, ventilated front seats and four-zone climate control) and the M Sport Plus Package comprising 21-inch wheels, red brake callipers, M seatbelts and carbon trim for an extra $4200.
The 540d xDrive’s introduction Down Under is a strange move by BMW given the federal government’s upcoming 2025 New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), and the fact diesel engine availability in Australia’s passenger car market has been declining for years now.
Neither Mercedes-Benz nor Genesis offers diesel versions of their respective E-Class and G80 rivals anymore, and the only oil-burning Audi A6 you can buy is the Allroad crossover wagon.
Still, previous iterations of 5 Series diesels have been good for upwards of 1500km from a full tank and there’s certainly no arguing with the 540d xDrive’s performance credentials.
How much does the 2024 BMW 5 Series cost?
520i – $114,900
540d xDrive – $134,900
i5 eDrive40 – $155,900
i5 M60 xDrive – $215,900
i5 M60 xDrive Touring – $219,900
M5 – TBC
* Prices exclude on-road costs
Related: 2025 BMW M5 revealed as plug-in hybrid
Related: BMW i5 M60 Touring 2024 Review – International
Related: BMW 520i 2024 Review
Related: Price hikes for new BMW 5 Series
Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
