2005 BMW 525i, 525xi, 530i, and 530xi

BMW has introduced new, six-cylinder variants of its5-series sedan: the 525i and the 530i. As thenomenclature suggests, the engines displace 2.5 litersand 3.0 liters. Both engines are straight sixes; BMWclaims they are the lightest sixes in their segment.The 2.5-liter makes 218 hp (at 6500 rpm) and 184 lb-ftof torque (at 2750 rpm). The larger engine israted at 258 hp (at 6600 rpm) and 221 lb-ft or torque(at 2500 rpm).

Both engines are available with rear-wheel drive or,new for the 5-series, all-wheel drive. In all cases, asix-speed manual transmission is standard, with asix-speed Steptronic optional. The all-wheel-drivesystem, xDrive, is borrowed from the X3 and X5. BMW isquoting the following performance figures (forstick-shift versions): 0-to-62 mph 7.5 seconds (525i),8.3 seconds (525xi), 6.5 seconds (530i), and 7.0seconds (530xi).

The new six-cylinder and all-wheel-drive 5-seriessedans should arrive here in May.