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Exclusive: 2017 BMW G30 5 Series Will Have 530i, 540i and 540d Guises

Testing on the new BMW G30 5 Series is entering a new chapter and we can now tell you what engines will make it State-side once the new model will be launched. According to our reliable source inside Munich, the US market will be welcoming the new 530i, 540i, 550i and 540d models once the car is officially launched.
BMW 5 Series GT Concept Drawing 1 photo
Photo: BMW
That sheds a little lighter on what BMW plans to do with the upcoming model. As you might’ve noticed, only one model will remain intact compared to the current line-up while all of the others will be fitted with brand new engines.

The same plants as on the 3 Series

The upcoming 5er will be built on what the Germans are calling the 35up platform (or CLAR). That same platform will be shared amongst all cars that will remain rear-wheel drive in the future, including the 3 Series and everything above it. The discussion about the 2 Series Coupe is still open for debate in BMW’s higher management circles.

That means that the new modular engines that are currently being introduced on fresh models will also be used on the 5 Series and possibly on the 7 Series.

At the moment, the US 5 Series range includes three petrol models and one diesel but, truth be said, that diesel one is not the most exciting of the bunch.

Even though it’s named 535d, it’s different than its European brother that wears the same name. Basically, it’s just a 530d from Germany with a different badge.

That means it has a 3-liter inline 6-cylinder diesel plant under the bonnet making 258 HP and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. While frugal, it’s not all that exciting to drive. On the other hand, the German 535d has a bi-turbo engine of the same size, pushing out 313 HP and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque that is downright breathtaking.

With the 540d we might expect the twin-turbo plant to show up on the North American continent. Furthermore, since it’s going to be a new modular engine, it’s highly possible that it will be making close to 330 HP and more than 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque.

New 530i and 540i models

The 530i and 540i monikers aren’t new to the 5 Series range. However, they will be new from the prospect of the mills powering them. Just like on the 3 Series, the 530i will be using a 2-liter turbocharged 4-pot codenamed B48 that will be making close to 270 HP.

On the other hand, the 540i will be replacing the 535i and in doing so will be using a 3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine codenamed B58 making around 330 HP and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque.

Chip in the lighter construction of the G30 chassis and you get yourself some really nice performance numbers. Plug-in hybrids will also be introduced along with a revised version of the N63 4.4-liter V8 plant for the 550i model.
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