BMW News
Long Wheelbase 5 Series for China
By Bryan Joslin
Oct 27, 2006, 06:30

BMW will debut a new long wheelbase version of the 5 Series sedan at the Chinese Auto Show in November. Three variants of the stretched 5er will be shown in Peking- 530Li, 525Li and 523Li. These special models have been developed especially for the needs of the Chinese business market, and combine traditional BMW driving dynamics with a larger, more comfortable interior.

BMW has added 140mm (5.5") to the wheelbase, with all of the added interior space behind the front seats. The additional space delivers a new dimension of comfort to the 5 Series sedan. Combined with sumptuous Dakota leather, the larger interior takes on a more luxurious ambience.

Standard on the 525Li and 535Li models is a rear-seat entertainment system with DVD player and 8-inch monitor, mounted to the front center console and capable flipping down out of the way when not being used. A refrigerated storage box is also included in the rear of these models.

The BMW Series long-version was conceived for China in the BMW development headquarters in Munich. Therefore, the total vehicle concept was tailored just for the needs of the Chinese market and corresponds to the unique standards of BMW. The limousines are manufactured in the Shenyang plant in the province Liaoning in the northeast of the country, where the BMW 3 Series is also produced for the Chinese market.

The BMW Group has had a presence in China since 1984. In May 2004, the BMW Group and Brilliance China revealed the results of their partnership in Shenyang. Shortly after, BMW introduced a separate distribution region for China, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, in order to further strengthen distribution in this region of the world.



BMW recorded enormous growth in the Chinese market in the last years. In the first half of this year, sales rose by almost 18,000 vehicles, a gain of approximately 66 percent. China was the region with the strongest proportional increase. Also the high-quality product mix is remarkable. China is the second-most important market in the world for the BMW 7 Series today.

It is unlikely that the stretched 5 will be shipped outside of the Chinese market.

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