Overview

BMW has completely redesigned the 5 Series midsize luxury sport sedan with more powerful engines and new technology features for the 2013 model year. The wagon model is no longer available. The 2012 BMW 5 Series is available in three trims - 528i, 535i and 550i.

Power and performance

The 528i is powered by a 3.0-liter straight-6 engine rated at 240 hp and 230 pound feet of torque. The 535i comes with a turbocharged variant of that engine good for 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The 550i derives power from a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine generating 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels in each model through either a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic with manual-shift control. A sport version of the automatic transmission is also available. All-wheel drive models will also be available.

Body and styling

The 2013 BMW 528i is equipped with 17-inch wheels, a sunroof and power and heated side mirrors. The standard interior features include dual-zone automatic climate control, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, the iDrive control interface, leatherette upholstery, eight-way power front seats, driver memory functions, BMW Assist emergency telematics, Bluetooth and a 12-speaker CD audio system with HD radio. The 535i comes with 18-inch wheels and adaptive xenon headlights. The top of the 5 Series lineup 550i gets parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, leather upholstery, upgraded front seats, interior ambiance lighting and a hard-drive-based navigation system with voice controls and real-time traffic. A number of options including 19-inch wheels, and 14-way multi-contour front seats are available.

Safety Features

The 2013 BMW 5 Series is available with a host of modern safety features like antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, stability and traction control, active front head restraints and the BMW Assist emergency communications system.