New BMW 5-Series starts at £28,165

BMW's all-new 5 Series executive saloon promises to be a highly appealing package for business car buyers.

The range starts at £28,165 for the BMW 520d SE model - the key car for business car drivers.

This represents a marginal £130 uplift on the Mk5 BMW 520d, but the level of specification is much higher. The range starts at SE grade - there will be no standard models.

Standard specification includes: Dakota leather; BMW Professional Radio; Bluetooth; anti-skid Dynamic Stability Control; cruise control; two zone auto air conditioning; front and rear Park Distance Control; 7-inch control display and iDrive; and partial Black Panel technology.

Sean Green, BMW sales director, said: 'We have specified and priced the new BMW 5 Series extremely competitively - it's not our strategy to introduce low-spec introductory models in order to gain what looks initially like an advantageous price point position.

'Buyers are now more aware of the wholelife costs of vehicles, and it is this we have concentrated on. Thanks to our excellent CO2 and fuel consumption performance, due to EfficientDynamics, the new BMW 5 Series offers lower fuel costs, VED and company car tax than most of the competition.'

The BMW 520d will be the first 5 Series to feature fuel efficient auto start-stop technology to cut emissions and improve fuel economy.

132g/km CO2 emissions; 18% benefit-in-kind tax

The 520d has CO2 emissions of 132g/km, placing it in the 18% company car tax band. It also qualifies for full business taxation allowances for contract hire, as do the more powerful 525d SE auto and 530d SE models (160g/km CO2). All three models also qualify for the 20% writing down allowance if purchased.

According to BMW 5 Series product manager, Michelle Roberts, the BMW 520d will have class leading residual values, retaining 42.1% of its value after three years and 60,000 miles; on the same basis, the 525d is expected to retain 38.9% of its value, Ms Roberts added.

All 5 Series models include BMW's emissions-reducing EfficientDynamics technologies, including: Optimum gearshift indicator; Brake Energy Regeneration; and Active Aerodynamics.

The new 5 Series has increased by 58mm in length, but its wheelbase is a generous 80mm longer than the car it replaces, providing more interior legroom for both front and rear passengers.

Four optional packages

A series of packages will enable business buyers to purchase additional options. These include BMW Business Advanced Media (£1530) and BMW Professional Multimedia (£1960) packages - BMW Navigation, BMW ConnectedDrive – Assist and Online and Voice control.

The Dynamic package (£2820) includes 19-inch alloy wheels, Sport seats, Anthracite headlining, Sport leather steering wheel and High-gloss exterior trim.

The Visibility package (£1210) includes Adaptive headlights, Xenon headlights, High-beam Assist and headlight wash.

An eight-speed automatic is also available. This costs £1495.

The BMW 5 Series goes on sale from 20 March, although the 520d will not be available until June.

BMW 5-Series Saloon prices, economy and emissions

Information courtesy of

www.businesscarmanager.co.uk