KEY POINTS:
Meet what is possibly the most pointless diesel-powered car in BMW's range. And probably one of the most exciting.
The 535d is the new flagship for the 5-series diesel range.
You're probably familiar with the 530d, a rip-snorting rear-drive sedan that proves beyond doubt that the words "sports" and "diesel" can be used in the same sentence.
So what's the difference between the 530d and the new 535d? $8000 in the M Sport trim tested here, an extra turbo (the 535d has two instead of one) and 80Nm of torque, with 580Nm on tap at just 1750rpm.
No one could possibly think that the 530d needs any more grunt - it's a stunning performer with a beautifully balanced chassis. But BMW has gone ahead and created something of a super-diesel 5-series anyway, which is totally excessive and utterly appealing.
Like any 5-series, the 535d is laden with electronic driver aids.
But if you really want to get a sense of what 580Nm through the rear wheels can do, venture out on a winding road during a wet day. Sure, the stability control will keep the car in check and prevent you from sliding tail-first into a ditch, but you still won't be able to ignore the sensation of the car wanting to step out into oversteer at the slightest tickle of the throttle.
This 5-series - indeed, all 5-series models now sold in New Zealand - is a better drive without BMW's innovative but slightly annoying active steering (AS) system. At launch, the top Fives had AS fitted as standard, but it's since been moved quietly onto the options list ($2650).
Good job too. While the ability of AS to wind right to one-and-half-turns lock-to-lock for tight corners is novel and handy for inner-city parking, the change between ratios is way too obvious and the system lacks low-speed feel. The car is more rewarding with the standard system, even if the 5-series still doesn't steer as crisply as the smaller 1-series.
But press the go-pedal and the 535d is simply staggering. It's not offered in manual-transmission form and it doesn't need to be - with this much pulling power under the bonnet and the narrower rev-range of a diesel engine, a good automatic gearbox is the only way to go.
That level of performance can even (almost) justify the otherwise-pretentious M Sport package fitted to our test car. Essentially a dress-up kit to make an ordinary Five look like the M5 supercar, the M Sport specification brings an "aerodynamic" body kit including special front and rear bumpers, 15mm-lower suspension, special alloy wheels, sports seats and different interior trim. On a low-end 5-series it's all highly questionable, but on a wheelspinning wonder like this it's just about acceptable.
All good then? Almost. But once the adrenaline has stopped flowing - which basically only happens when you stop the car - you'll notice the 535d suffers the same foibles as other 5-series models.
The trim is a bit low-rent for a $100k-plus machine, the styling is controversial to say the least and I'm still not sold on the new style of gearlever fitted to the latest Five. It's a novel ergonomic design that fits beautifully into the palm of your hand, but it's also completely electronic and as such offers no mechanical feel when you change cogs. Select reverse during a parking manoeuvre, for example, and you have to wait a second for the indicator light to show "R" so that you know you're in the right gear. It's all a bit remote, which is not something you'd say about the engine/chassis.
Sounds like it's time to engage Drive and hit the go-pedal again.
BMW 535D M SPORT
WE LIKE: Surfeit of torque, sense of chassis balance, wow-factor.
WE DON'T LIKE: Cheap dashboard trim, vague electronic gearlever.
THE FACTS
Basic price: $142,500.
Options fitted: None.
Price as tested: $142,500.
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km.
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
Engine: 2993cc inline twin-turbo diesel six.
Power: 210kW at 4400rpm.
Torque: 580Nm at 1750rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-drive.
Performance: 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds.
European Combined fuel consumption: 7.0 litres per 100km.
SAFETY
Active driver aids: Anti-lock braking with force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control.
Passive restraints: Front, side and curtain airbags, five lap-sash seatbelts.
EuroNCAP adult occupant crash test rating: 4-stars, 78 per cent.
VITAL STATISTICS
Wheels and tyres: 18-inch alloy wheels, 245/40 tyres.
Length: 4841mm.
Height: 1468mm.
Width: 1846mm.
Wheelbase: 2888mm.
Boot volume: 520 litres.
Fuel tank: 70 litres.
THE RIVALS: Challengers to the BMW 535d M Sport
BMW 530D M Sport
Price: $134,500.
Powertrain: 170kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel six, six-speed automatic, rear-drive, 0-100km/h in 7.0 seconds.
If it wasn't for the 535d, this would be considered a crazy-fast diesel car. Not quite as special, but $8k cheaper and far from ordinary.
Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI Avantgarde
Price: $133,900.
Powertrain: 165kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6, seven-speed automatic, rear-drive, 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds.
On the surface, the conservative choice, but the E-class benefits from timeless styling, cabin space and a virtuoso (if not sporty) chassis.
Audi A6 3.0 TDI S-Line
Price: $126,900.
Powertrain: 165kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6, six-speed automatic, full-time four-wheel-drive, 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The dressed-up S-Line is Audi's equivalent of the BMW M Sport. The A6 has a mighty diesel and grippy chassis, but is not as sporty as its rivals.
