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2005 BMW 5-Series Xi Preview

Competition from Acura, Audi and Mercedes-Benz Make AWD 5-Series Reality

Whats the best sports sedan in the world? Well, that depends on what type of drive system you like. For someone who prefers all-wheel drive Audi is a brand that often comes up first on the list, and the A4, A6, A8, or one of the Volkswagen divisions "S" derivatives topping the chart.

To those people who prefer rear-wheel drive propulsion, BMW is almost always the benchmark for driving dynamics with the 3, 5 or 7 getting highest marks, or, of course, one of the brands legendary M cars.

The dynamics of BMWs driving experience and the

The new all-wheel drive 5-Series is scheduled to arrive in BMW dealerships across the nation towards the end of next month. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

way new car buyers viewed the compact premium segment changed when BMW introduced its all-wheel drive 3-Series in model year 2001, (previous E30 325ix excluded), giving top-tier customers something new to consider and Audi a serious threat to its AWD credentials.

Of course, since this time others have joined the all-wheel

North American models will be dubbed 525xi and 530xi, plus there will be a 530xi Touring. (Photo: BMW of North America)

drive ranks, such as Infinitis G35x, and most recently the Nissan-owned premium brands M35x, Lexus new GS 300 AWD, and Acuras SH-AWD (Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive) RL.

With BMW seeing success with its all-wheel drive 325xi and 330xi models, it only makes sense taking on newcomers like the Acura RL, the less recent Mercedes-Benz E-Class and old-timers such as the Audi A6 in the all-wheel drive camp.

Enter the new all-wheel drive 5-Series, The new all-wheel

The 525xi will feature a new 210-horsepower 3.0-liter engine with 185 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

drive 5-Series is scheduled to arrive in BMW dealerships across the nation towards the end of next month. North American models will be dubbed 525xi and 530xi, plus there will be a 530xi Touring, or sport wagon, a model that will also be featured in Detroit.

While no V8 or V10 powered cars will feature all-wheel drive, at least at first, the new family of six-cylinder engines will go a long way to make up for the driveline lag of an AWD system.

The 525xi, like its 525i sibling, will feature a new 210-horsepower 3.0-liter engine with 185 lb-ft of torque. Its been years since a

The 530i and 530xi, will feature BMWs new 255-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6. (Photo: BMW of North America)

525 model has been offered in the 5-Series lineup (I purchased a 1989 525i after falling in love with the design), and despite its engine displacement not mirroring its model designation, something BMW usually remains faithful to, its reduced power should resultantly lower the price of an entry-level 5.

The top six-cylinder models, the 530i and 530xi, will feature BMWs new 255-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6, which produces 220 lb-ft of torque.

BMW has made no mention of whether all-wheel drive will be forthcoming on its V8-powered 545, so that it can compete directly with the Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class which feature the driveline in V8-equipped models.

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