- The 5 Series V8 line up broadens with arrival of 540i and 550i
- The 550i gains 4.8-litre V8 with 270 kW and 490 Nm
- The 6 Series adopts 4.8-litre V8 for 650i Coupé and Convertible
- Bluetooth mobile phone preparation standard on 525i, 530i, 530d and 530i Touring
- Start/stop button debuts in both 5 Series and 6 Series

The revised BMW 5 Series V8 range comprises the 540i and 550i, adding additional features at the same time.

The 225 kW 4.0-litre V8 debuts in the new 540i, one of the most eagerly awaited additions to the new 5 Series line-up.

In addition to the V8 engine, the 540i gains the following equipment over the 530i straight six-cylinder models: a pair of chromed 65 mm diameter exhaust pipes, alarm system, lumbar support, headlight washer system, adaptive Xenon headlights, 18-inch Star spoke light alloy wheels, Professional Navigation, TV tuner and Voice recognition, ConnectedDrive (no cost for the first year) and High-Beam Assist, a new technological innovation that monitors traffic conditions and independently activates or deactivates the high beam, to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.

The driving power in the 540i features VALVETRONIC and double-VANOS, as seen in the new BMW 7 Series. The silky 4.0-litre V8 delivers 225 kW of power at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 390 Nm at 3,500 rpm.

Fitted as standard with a six-speed automatic Steptronic gearbox, the new 540i accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption is an exceptional 10.4 litres per 100 km on the combined highway and city cycle.

The 550i replaces the current 545i and boasts a new, more powerful 4.8-litre V8 engine.

This gains 25 kW over the previous 545i, and an additional 40 Nm of torque.

Naturally, acceleration performance improves, reducing the zero to 100 km/h sprint time from 5.9 seconds to 5.6 seconds.

The 4.8-litre V8 in the 550i develops 270 kW at 6,300 rpm and 490 Nm of torque at 3,400 rpm. Despite a significant increase in the car’s power and performance, fuel consumption is 10.8 litres per 100 km on the combined cycle.

Apart from the V8, the 550i also gains High-Beam Assist and Head Up Display. High-Beam Assist will also be a standard fitment on the 650i Coupé and Convertible.

The core of the High-Beam Assist system is a camera sensor in the interior mirror that monitors traffic conditions and independently activates or deactivates the high beam. In the process, the system detects the headlights and rear lights of other vehicles as well as ambient light conditions on the road.

The newcomers can be distinguished by their redesigned iDrive Controller, in rich Ruthenium with a leather insert, and a start/stop button on the instrument panel, a feature found in other BMW models.

Apart from the revised V8s, the additional safety and comfort features of the latest generation DSC+ are now standard across the 5 Series range and 6 Series.

The DSC+ system offers extensive benefits. It includes Hill Start Assist, which enables the driver to start off conveniently on uphill gradients without having to use the handbrake. The system also offers a Brake Standby function, Brake Drying function, Brake Fade Compensation and Comfort Stop features.

To complete feature additions for the 5 Series line-up in 2006, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation will become standard on 525i, 530i Touring, 530i and 530d.

In addition, with the inclusion of new start/stop buttons for both 5 and 6 Series, Comfort Access becomes available as an option across both model ranges.

Like the 550i, the revised 6 Series Coupé and Convertible share the same 4.8-litre V8 powerplants and feature the added safety benefits of Head Up Display and High Beam Assist as part of their standard specification.

Both new 650i models replace the 645Ci and offer the same increase in power and torque as the 550i does over the previous 545i: 25 kW more power and 40 Nm more torque.

The 4.8-litre V8 endows the 650i Coupé with an acceleration time of just 5.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h via the six-speed Steptronic auto while the Convertible takes 5.8 seconds. Fuel consumption for the 650i is just 11.1 litres per 100km on the combined cycle while the Convertible uses just 11.7 litres per 100 km on the same cycle.

The new 540i, 550i and 650i will arrive at BMW dealerships across Australia in the fourth quarter, after making their debut at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney on 13th October.

Prices (current RRP):

5 Series	525i	- $92,900
	530i	- $111,500
	530d	- $113,500
	530i Touring	- $117,500
	540i	- $133,500
	550i	- $160,000

6 Series	650i Coupé	- $201,000
	650i Convertible	- $217,400

2005 BMW 540i

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