2011 BMW 528i Priced From $45,425

Colum Wood
by Colum Wood

After debuting the 550i and 535i earlier this year, BMW has now released a more budget-conscious 528i model, starting at $45,425 – including the $875 shipping fee. For the record that’s $1,400 less than last year’s 528i and along with an entirely new chassis and body, the new 528i gets one other major improvement – an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The 3.0-liter inline-six 528i model makes 240-hp and 230 ft-lbs of torque, an improvement of 10-hp and 30 ft-lbs respectively. The added power, plus he new 8-speed auto box combine for a 6.6 second 0-60 mph time – a half a second faster than the previous gen 528i.

Options on the 528i include Xenon headlights, Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, a Heads-Up Display and the Dynamic Handling Package which includes Driving Dynamics Control and Dynamic Damping Control.

No fuel economy numbers are available yet but they should increase by a noticeable margin. The 2011 528i will be in dealerships this July.

GALLERY: 2011 BMW 528i

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – April 16, 2010… BMW has announced pricing for the all-new 2011 BMW 528i Sedan. The new 528i will arrive at BMW Centers in July and is priced from $45,425 including $875 Destination & Handling. Based on the all-new, 6th-generation BMW 5 Series, the new 528i receives BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-6 engine with magnesium-aluminum construction and 240 horsepower, plus BMW’s new 8-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. Despite these enhancements, the base MSRP is $1,400 lower than the 528i’s 2010 predecessor.

As on any other BMW vehicle, BMW Ultimate Service, with $0 maintenance for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles, is included.

“When we announced the pricing for the 535i and 550i earlier this month, people were thrilled with what great value they represented,” said Jack Pitney, Vice-President of Marketing for BMW of North American. “With the 528i BMW is uniquely positioned to offer a full range of midsized luxury-performance Sedans that, true to the philosophy of EfficentDynamics, offer better performance and improved efficiency than their predecessors at prices that are even more competitive.”

The all-new 2011 BMW 5 Series combines a whole new look, inside and out, with new powertrain options and even more cutting-edge technology. Design features emblematic of BMW are to be found at the front with its kidney grille inclined slightly forward. The new 5 Series chassis is 55% stiffer than its already-impressive predecessor.

The new 528i is equipped with BMW’s celebrated 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, now enhanced to produce 240 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. These figures represent improvements of 10 and 30, respectively, over the previous-generation 528i. As a result, the new 528i is expected to accomplish the 0-60mph sprint in 6.6 seconds (preliminary), compared to 7.1 seconds for the previous model. The normally aspirated engine is equipped with Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology and weighs approximately 355 lbs thanks to its exotic magnesium-aluminum engine block construction. EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to the July on-sale date.

In addition to the standard 8-speed automatic transmission, new 17-inch light alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires are standard on the 528i, while the optional Sport Package includes 18-inch light alloy wheels with high-performance run-flat tires. Inside, drivers will find standard lumbar support and a larger standard moonroof.

Options and packages for the 528i are very similar to the 535i Sedan with a few exceptions. Xenon headlights will be a stand-alone option on the 528i. The Dynamic Handling Package will provide Driving Dynamics Control and Dynamic Damping Control, which is quick enough to adjust the damping at a rear wheel after a front wheel has encountered a road imperfection at highway speeds. Integral Active Steering is not offered on the 528i.

BMW EfficientDynamics technologies are featured where appropriate on the 528i, including Brake Energy Regeneration, Valvetronic, Electric Power Steering, and on-demand operation of engine accessory drives. Lightweight materials are used to balance the vehicle. Components such as doors, hood, front fenders, and suspension assemblies are made of aluminum.

The driver assistance systems offered with the new 5 Series include an all-new Parking Assistant, Top View cameras, and Frontal Collision Warning with application of the brakes when ordered with Active Cruise Control plus Stop & Go. Other driver assistance features available include Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, a Head-Up Display, and BMW Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection.

The BMW 528i will join the 535i and 550i in BMW showrooms in the US in July.

Colum Wood
Colum Wood

With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.

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