A multi-faceted cavalcade of sparkling BMW gems will shine in the Geneva Motor Show spotlight.

Featuring all-new models and unique break-through technology, BMW’s dynamic drivers’ cars benefit from yet more injections of innovation.

Leading the pack is the all-new 5 Series Touring, to be available in Europe in 525i, 545i six-cylinder and V8 petrol, and 525d and 530d six-cylinder turbo-diesel engines.

BMW’s elegant and sporting Touring totes a larger, lighter body, with a substantially enlarged cabin and luggage area, complete with extra convenience features such as remote tailgate unlocking, and automatic load cover retraction. The luggage area expands from 530-litres to 1650-litres depending on rear seat configuration.

In V8 4.4-litre 545i guise, the brawniest 5 Series Touring comes with the option of BMW’s Formula 1 derived Sequential Manual Gearbox II, with steering wheel mounted paddle shifts.

The complete galaxy of technical features available on all 5 Series sedans is carried over to the lithe, athletic 5 Series Touring. These include Active Steering, Dynamic Drive, Active Cruise Control and Head-Up Display.

The new 5 Series Touring is under consideration for launch in Australia, possibly as early as mid-2005.

Further engine options will be added to the Touring range in due course.

BMW quenches Europe’s thirst for frugal, yet high-performance diesel engines with the introduction of a hot-rod version of its acclaimed straight-six cylinder 3.0d engine.

It is tuned to deliver a pulse-racing 200 kW, thanks to an innovative multi-stage turbo-charging action that supplies bountiful low-down torque devoid of turbo-lag, as well as high-end acceleration for fast autobahn-style overtaking.

The new EU4-compliant 535d engine produces a mountainous 500Nm of torque at just 1,200 rpm, while peak torque of 560 Nm arrives at just 2,000 rpm.

Installed into a 5 Series sedan, the 535d storms to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds when mated to the standard six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Another new turbo-diesel engine with similarly impressive performance from its capacity, is the new 2.5-litre six-cylinder 525d as fitted to the 5 Series sedan and new Touring.

This athletic engine produces 130 kW of power at 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 2,000 rpm and 2,750 rpm.

In the 5 Series Touring, the 525d engine accelerates the automatic transmission version to 100km/h in just 8.5 seconds, and takes it on to a top speed of 222 km/h, sipping an average of just 8.0-litres/100 km on the EU Cycle.

BMW’s brace of new high-torque engines are ideal for European markets, yet their appeal is not limited to drivers in the EU.

Australian buyers have speedily acquired an insatiable desire for BMW’s super smooth, ultra-powerful turbo-diesel straight-six engine - as fitted to the X5 3.0d - just released in revised 150 kW / 480 Nm guise.

The success of this vehicle may well open the way for further turbo-diesel BMWs in due course.

BMW’s Geneva gem store isn’t just diesel focussed, with the all-new 645Ci Convertible making its European debut, just days after entertaining crowds at the Melbourne International Motor Show, which starts on 27 February.

The muscular 4.4-litre V8-powered four-seater Convertible is priced at $220,000 in Australia, but due to strong worldwide demand, only 60 of the 645Ci Convertibles will come to Australia in 2004, along side a similar number of identically powered, $203,000 645Ci Coupes.