BMW 540i – 2017 test drive

Even if aesthetically similar to its predecessor, the new BMW 5 Series has made itself over with sophisticated on-board technology and the resulting weight savings. By doing so, it puts the emphasis on a comfortable ride and dynamic features designed to very high standards with a powerful engine and impressive road handling.

Nonetheless, we expected a bit more from the driving feel of this vehicle, which has become smoother and smoother, as is nowadays the case with most new cars.  Hence the question: is that really what we expect from a new BMW?

Not too many stylistic changes for this new BMW 540i

Introduced at the beginning of 2017, this 7th generation BMW 5 Series was presented as a model of elegance and efficiency, associated with the explosion of new technology. In fact, even if its aesthetic changes are a bit tentative, the same cannot be said of the technological content of new 5 Series. The outer lines have adopted the matryoshkas doll approach and remain true to the previous variant. Among the most notable changes are larger kidney grilles, the appearance of a stylised air outlet on the front fenders and the larger tail lights, inspired by the BMW 3 Series.

Road handling and a comfortable drive

 

 

During our test drive, it was precisely this twin turbo 6-cylinder BMW 540i equipped with an automatic 8-speed Steptronic transmission delivering 340 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque that transported us over the roads of Luxembourg.

Although its road behaviour was an ideal compromise of efficiency, comfort and impressive road handling, drive feel is missing from this sporty variant of the 540i equipped with an M Sport package. Its powerful six-cylinder petrol engine combining power and smoothness delivered excellent performance but this did not particularly stand out due to the excessively smooth character and the hushed sound.

In the cabin, the BMW remains true to itself with top quality materials and a high level of finish plus lots of passenger room in the front and in the back.

As far as engine types are concerned; BMW offers four versions:

• three 4, 6 and 8-cylinder petrol engines: the 520i, the 530i and 530i xDrive and the 540i and 540i xDrive
• three 4 and 6-cylinder diesel engines: 520d Efficient Dynamics, 520d/520d Xdrive, 530d/530d Xdrive
• one electric & petrol hybrid engine 530e iPerformance Plug-in hybrid
• the sporty M550i xDrive

With a 530-litre boot, this new 5 Series is still within the average of its rivals

A technological explosion

We were pleasantly surprised by the enormous quantity of high tech elements in the 540i compared to older models. BMW has introduced a number of innovations into its multimedia and driving assistance systems. For instance, instrumentation is 100% digital with Gesture Control for the navigation, communication and entertainment system. This advance in comfort and connectivity is also achieved thanks to:

• A new Remote Parking feature that allows you to manoeuvre the car remotely using a smart key (remote control),
• An entertainment system that responds to voice commands,
• Not only can you fully integrate your smartphone thanks to Apple Carplay and Android Auto, you can use an app that synchronises your calendar and address book with the navigation system.

Tax advantages and benefits in kind when you lease this new BMW 540i

 

Special attention is paid to the tax treatment of the new BMW 540i in Luxembourg. If used as a company car, you’ll receive a benefit in kind calculated on the basis of your car’s CO₂ emissions

Although the vehicle’s specifications indicate 149g of CO₂/km, this rate may change based on any equipment you might add to your own configuration of the BMW 540i (per your options). If your car moves into the >150g of CO₂/km tax bracket, the benefit in kind would change to 1.7% of the value of the car (versus only 1.3% if CO₂ < 150g/km.)

To find out more about the benefits in kind for company cars, click here.