Customers given financial incentive to stick with fossil fuel-powered version The BMW 520i petrol saloon is a joy to drive on the open road and also has little bother on rural stretches A sweet petrol engine remains one of the great driving pleasures. It probably borders on heresy to make such a claim at a time when the powers that be want our roads cleared of cars propelled by fossil fuels. But after driving the BMW 520i M Sport Pro saloon for the first time with a two-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, it is a statement of fact.
There is more to the car than just an engine, of course, but this 208 horsepower powerplant with hybrid technology certainly contributed to the overall enjoyment of several drives. It didn’t do badly on fuel either (a claimed 5.7 litres to 6.
4 litres per 100km, depending on model). The main focus of the new 5 Series is the electric i5 range. I have recently driven the Touring (estate) version and I think it looks better than the saloon.
Not that the four-door booted version is bland, but this is more an evolution on the previous model. However, it is now substantially larger, roomier and with M Sport suspension, it carries a great emphasis on rock-solid, sporty handling. The car may be bigger, but so is the price tag.
Therein lies a dilemma for some. With black Veganza upholstery, my test car had a start-out €74,052 price. Mineral-white metal adds €1,259.
60 and there were a lot of options and packs that drove the total cost to €83,527. T.