August 3^rd, 2003

545i V8 priced and headed for Australia

ENTHUSIASTIC drivers with deep pockets will be delighted to hear that BMW Group Australia has announced pricing of the awesome V8-powered 545i sedan.

When deliveries commence in the first quarter of 2004, it will carry a price ticket of $155,500.

The 545i will offer headline features like Head-Up Display, Adaptive Head Lights, Dynamic Drive, and of course explosive performance from its new 4.4-litre V8 engine.

It has a hard act to follow since the E39 4.4-litre 540i was considered the top of its class. All new E60 5 Series sedans come with world-first Active Steering, iDrive, weight-saving aluminium front structure and panels, a full array of airbags and active safety systems including Dynamic Stability Control and a more spacious cabin and luggage compartment.

BMW’s world-class V8 engines are admired and desired for their power and torque, refinement and sophistication and the new 545i’s engine is no different.

It boasts a substantial 35 kW (17 %) increase in power and 10Nm more torque with the adoption of the 4.4-litre VALVETRONIC four-valve engine from the 7 Series. A full 85 % of maximum torque is available between 1,500 rpm and 6,400 rpm.

Rated at an impressive 245kW at 6,100 rpm and 450 Nm at 3,600 rpm, the naturally aspirated V8 accelerates the 545i to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, and reaches a governed top speed of 250 km/h. In-gear acceleration posts an 80—120 km/h time of 5.8 seconds.

The V8 is mated to the latest six-speed automatic transmission, again borrowed from the 7 Series, and this will be the sole transmission offered in Australia.

Faster than the 540i, the new 545i also achieves superior fuel consumption, proving that power need not come at a price at the pumps. ECE combined cycle fuel economy figures reveal the 545i uses just 10.6-litres/100 km, a valuable saving of 1.7-litres/100km.

The 545i will offer Voice Recognition, Adaptive Head Lights with Bi-Xenon lamps and power wash, and from next year, industry-leading Head-Up Display joins the options list.

It will also offer full satellite navigation and TV receiver with a 220 mm (8.8 inches) dash-mounted screen, as part of the standard specification.

Accommodation in all E60 5 Series sedans is supremely comfortable, but the 545i adds front Comfort Seats with lumbar support, as well as an electric rear sunblind and an electric glass sunroof as standard.

Also standard over and above the 530i’s abundant advanced features are a 10-speaker Hi-Fi, anti-theft alarm, 245/45 R17 star-spoke alight alloy wheels on run flat tyres, and an on-board telephone.

Options include Active Cruise Control, Dynamic Drive, Head-Up Display, LOGIC7 sound system with 13 speakers including door-sill vented sub-woofers as well as the combination of Active, heated and/or ventilated front seats, as fitted to the 7 Series.

From the outside, its chromed grille slats, larger, dual oval tailpipe finishers and wider 17-inch alloy wheels distinguish the 545i from the 530i.