Rather silently, BMW has debuted a new F10 BMW 5 Series variant with a 1.6 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine for the Greek market (and only there, so far). Curiously enough, it’s badged as the 520i (AT), and not 518i. It seems the latter has been retired since the days of the E34 5er.
The small engine runs the same tuning as in the 118i we have here, so it has 170 hp and 250 Nm of torque at its disposal. Such equipped, the 1.6 litre engine can move the 1.6 tonne vehicle from 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and top out at 226 km/h. Not bad at all, considering the disproportionate engine displacement/car size ratio. Check out the spec sheet of the 520i (AT) below.
Click to enlarge.
You’d think that the new model would replace the 2.0 litre-powered 520i, but it doesn’t. The existing model – sans the (AT) suffix – lives on, with its 184 hp/270 Nm engine offering more performance (0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, top speed 233 km/h) and better fuel economy (6.0 litres per 100 km versus 6.7 l/100 km).
The last bit just goes to show how mismatched the combination is, with the car not designed to fit such a small engine in the first place. As to why such a model exists, perhaps it has something to do with Greece’s rudimentary engine displacement-based vehicle tax structure. Sound familiar?
F10 BMW 528i M Sport LCI (Malaysian-spec)
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express excitement over the new 1.6-litre BMW 5 Series debut in Greece, viewing it as an innovative and more affordable model, with some hoping it might come to Malaysia. Enthusiasts compare its performance favorably to other 1.6 engines like Proton's, highlighting that turbocharging enhances power despite small displacement. Several comments criticize high car prices and taxes in Malaysia, suggesting that such an engine in local markets could offer better value and lower road taxes. Others note that the engine's performance is impressive given its size, and some speculate that its launch might be a response to Greece's economic situation, implying that the smaller engine helps reduce costs amid financial constraints. Overall, sentiments are a mix of optimism, curiosity, and mild skepticism about pricing and market impact.