Though we focused on the new engines in the 2011 BMW 535i and 550i in our earlier post, the 528i sedan is 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 you buy the Sport package).
Along with the rear-wheel-drive 528i will come all-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 diesel 5 Series, the 535d, which will use a 3.0-liter inline-6, but with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger, instead of the twin turbos in the current 335d and 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.
cr_driver says:
05:30 PM, 11/23/09
Great engine for the base 5, finally specs worthwile at least a bit more, oficial figures state a 6.6 seconds run to 60mph, should be a bit slower with the auto.
Wonder about EPA estimates.
billt9 says:
06:14 PM, 11/23/09
Wow and they claim better mpg than the current 18/27 mpg? Awesomeness.
Although I like the infiniti M's interior better.
This same decades old BMW interior gets on my nerves.
cr_driver says:
06:43 PM, 11/23/09
Watching that last video was like ....too much greatness in so little time. I really like this new 5. The new 7 no, but this new 5 yes.
1487 says:
05:58 AM, 11/24/09
The power boost was overdue. The current car is way underpowered in base form considering it's steep price.
chavis10 says:
08:46 AM, 11/24/09
turbo engine should be standard in a car costing this much. Previous 528 was a joke in terms of power considering the high cost of entry.
billt9 says:
02:36 PM, 11/24/09
chavis10,
People don't want a fuel guzzler as standard.
The most fuel efficient model's always the best seller.
The hot engine cars are for one weekend rumps, not keepers.
You can't take that chick with the big fake boobs home. Too much baggage.
bimmerjay says:
09:22 AM, 11/25/09
Haha yes, 0-60 in 6.3-6.4 seconds for the 230-hp 528i shows it is absurdly underpowered. Didn't I just have to read a host of bitching about how mid-sixes is average for this segment?