BMW Stretches Out 5-Series for China

As the auto industrys fastest growing market, China represents a brand new opportunity for most of the worlds carmakers. Premium manufacturers like BMW are quickly discovering that theres a market almost completely untapped for high-end luxury vehicles. The Munich-based automaker couldnt ignore the unique demands for its vehicles in China; in fact, since the beginning of 2006, the brands sales have increased by 66-percent, and it also sells more of its 7-Series sedans there than anywhere else on earth. Not to undermine the importance of China, BMW has announced a specific Chinese-only, long wheelbase version of the 5-Series, which will be launched later this year.

Despite being built in China, the XXL 5-Series was developed at BMWs development headquarters in Munich to the same standards that any other BMW would be subject to. Compared to the standard-wheelbase 5-Series, the stretched version features an additional 5.5 inches, all of which has been added between the B- and C-pillars, where the rear doors are located, which means that front seat room and trunk room are left untouched. Comparatively speaking, the 5-Series wheelbase stretch is longer than that of rival and also Chinese market-only Audis A6 L, which received a 3.9-inch wheelbase gain a few years back.

That brings the total length of the car up to 194.6 inches, and the total wheelbase length of the elongated 5-Series up to 119.3 inches, which is just shy of the Chrysler 300 C, and 2.4 inches shorter than the regular wheelbase 7-Series. For a brand so focused on delivering the Ultimate Driving Machine, the decision to offer a long wheelbase version of a midsize vehicle seems odd at first, however, most customers who can afford to purchase the 5-Series usually have chauffeurs; the extra space is meant for the owner, who rides in back.

Perhaps BMW should adopt the tagline the Ultimate Sitting Machine for this model.

BMW will be offering the long wheelbase 5-Series with a choice of three engines, all of which are inline-sixes. The entry-level 523Li has a 2.5-liter, 174-hp engine, the middle of the range 525Li has a 215-hp engine, and the top of the line 530Li has the 268-horsepower motor. Currently BMW doesnt have plans to offer the car as a V8, or with its xDrive all-wheel drive system, which is odd, given that rival Audi offers a V8 as well as quattro all-wheel drive with its A6 L, however, by equipping the car with smaller inline-six engines, BMW plays a niche roll, offering limousine-like luxury at a lower price.

Aside from having the luxury of additional legroom, the long wheelbase models also receive standard Dakota leather seats and leather-trimmed doors, while the 525Li and 530Li get a rear-seat entertainment system with a DVD player and individual LCD displays mounted in the headrests of the front seats. A built-in cooler box is also standard on the 525Li and 530Li. The 5-Series Li model will be built in cooperation with BMWs Chinese partner Brilliance, at the Shenyang assembly plant in Northeast China, alongside the Chinese-market 3-Series.