BMW announces 535d and M Sport Pack

It's been no secret that BMW planned to offer Aussie buyers the new 520d, but now comes news that 5 Series fans can have their diesel punch in six-cylinder flavour.

Fresh from revealing prices for the Touring wagons in the range, the prestige importer has now confirmed that the 535d sedan will go on sale here during November, priced at $134,400. For that, the buyer gets a 'TwinPower' turbodiesel six developing 220kW of peak power and torque topping out at 600Nm. BMW claims that the new variant will reach 100km/h from a standing start in 5.7 seconds, but consumes just 6.1L/100km in combined-cycle testing. For the same test, the 535d emits 162g/km of CO2.

Features fitted as standard include: metallic paint, 18-inch alloy wheels, eight-speed automatic transmission with sequential-shift facility, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, headlight washers, rear-view camera, electric front seat adjustment with position memory for the driver's, leather-bound sports steering wheel, Comfort Access System and 12-speaker premium audio system.

"BMW diesel engines are winning international accolades and challenging many preconceptions about diesel technology as a whole," said Stavros Yallouridis, BMW Australia MD. 

"The combination of enormous torque, blistering power and extraordinary fuel economy from our latest diesel engines is winning many fans in Australia."

November is also the month BMW aims to introduce the M Sport Package for the 5 Series range. The kit comprises suspension mods, aerodynamic aids and 18-inch light-alloy wheels -- with the further options of 19-inch wheels and a rear spoiler. As the flagship of the range, the 550i gains the larger wheels by default when the M Sport Package is specified.

Inside, cars ordered with the option pack are fitted with sports leather seats, an M leather steering wheel, BMW Individual anthracite headlining, door sill finishers with M badging and M Aluminium Hexagon trim throughout the cabin. The 550i's M Sport Package comes with Comfort seats rather than the sports seats. These are available as an option for other variants. Similarly, the M Aluminium Hexagon trim is dropped in favour of high-gloss dark brown Ash Grain wood trim for the 550i.

BMW advises that buyers may choose to delete the suspension modifications from the Package for the higher-grade (535i, 535d and 550i) variants. Prices for the M Sport Package range from $4900 (535i, 535d and 550i) to $7900 for the 520d and the ask for the 528i falls in between, at $6100.

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