2011 BMW 5-series F10

2011 BMW 5-series F10

The F10 has, for the European market at least, a choice of 7 engines: a 4.4 litre N63 topping the range in the 550i, followed by a trio of straight 6 petrols.

Despite many rumours to the contrary, BMW’s second best selling model after the 3 series does not use any 4 cylinder petrol engines this time round.

Instead, BMW has retained, for the time being at least, a trio of straight 6 engines, completing the petrol engine range. Straight six engines offer superior refinement over their 4 cylinder counterparts, as well as being the trademark BMW engine which has featured in so many of the company’s most loved cars: the E28 and E34 M5, E36 and E46 M3, not to mention the iconic BMW E26 M1. The 535i has the 306 bhp/295 lb ft(400 N m)

BMW N55 engine which made its debut in the F07 5er GT, and will shortly find its way into the facelifted BMW E92 and E93.

The magnesium block naturally aspirated direct injection straight 6 continues in Europe at least; this engine is the BMW N53; 3.0 litres, 258 bhp for the 528i, and 2.5 litres and 204 bhp for the 523i, same outputs as the BMW E89 Z4 sDrive23i.

It is not known what engine BMW will use here for markets outside of Europe due to fuel quality problems, most likely the BMW N52 will continue here.

The 4 petrol engines are complemented by a trio of diesel engines. Again, despite rumours to the contrary, BMW has decided to only offer 1 4 cylinder engine here: the 520d.

This means that the 525d continues to offer the superior mechanical refinement of a straight six as opposed to the rumoured 523d with 4 cylinders. The 525d is joined by a 530d; both models use the same BMW N57 3.0 litre engine, the 525d has 204 bhp and 450 N m, the 530d with 245 bhp and 540 N m of torque.

Expect hybrid models later, as well as more powerful straight 6 diesel to replace the award winning 535d.