BMW today unveiled the long-wheelbase version of its 5-Series sedan, designed for the Chinese market. The new BMW 530 Li, BMW 525 Li, and BMW 523 Li could theoretically be offered in other markets, but so far China is the only country where the cars will be sold.
The new models are powered by straight-six power units ranging in output from 177 hp to 258 hp. The car’s overall length has been extended by 5.5-inches. All the length gains are between the B- and C-pillars, meaning rear seat room is considerably greater than on the standard model.
The 525Li and BMW 530Li come standard with a newly developed rear console complete with an integrated entertainment system with a DVD-player, eight-inch screens fitted in a console on the back of the front seats, as well as a cooling box. Images after the jump…
10/09, 1:29 PM
posted by:
04focus
Next thing you know, they’d be trying to sell an LWB 130i. heh.
10/09, 1:34 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Necessary because McDonalds is now in China and the people are getting fat.
10/09, 1:37 PM
posted by:
Renton
Don’t they mean ” wong wheelbase “.
10/09, 1:37 PM
posted by:
imageWIS
I’m waiting for the 360Li, which is a 3-Series with a 6.0 liter V12, in long wheelbase form. LMAO.
Jon.
10/09, 1:39 PM
posted by:
peter g
But why…They may get fatter, but they’re still short people?
10/09, 1:41 PM
posted by:
A4
HAR HAR JON REAL FUNNY
not
screw long wheelbases
10/09, 1:51 PM
posted by:
spider
nothing wong with that.
10/09, 1:51 PM
posted by:
lanapat7
Gravitate towards the money. Chinese like limousines.
Give them what they want and charge them big.
10/09, 2:05 PM
posted by:
b_shizzle
I want a long wheelbase fortwo. like a stretch fortwo limo! It could be 6 feet long Hey… it makes about as much sense!
Why not just get a 7 series?
10/09, 2:38 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
^^^
Notice they are all 6 cylinders. I don’t think BMW makes a 6 cylinder 7 series anymore. These should be much cheaper then even a short wheel base 7 series so there must be a significant market there for a less expensive more fuel efficient executive ass hauler.
10/09, 3:25 PM
posted by:
J-Ro
tall people like rear leg room. I’m tall. I’m not chinese, and I’m not fat. Is it really that hard?:-) What I’m more concerned with is… can you fit a case of beer in the cooling box
10/09, 3:29 PM
posted by:
bacalao
China is beating U.S in every way soon they will be the new super power in the world and watch out for India too…
10/09, 3:29 PM
posted by:
bacalao
China is beating U.S in every way soon they will be the new super power in the world and watch out for India too…
10/09, 4:02 PM
posted by:
Bobzooki
Because we all know how tall all of those slitty eyed chinks are?
10/09, 4:09 PM
posted by:
imageWIS
A4, I was obviously being sarcastic. Stop being an asshole.
Jon.
10/09, 5:12 PM
posted by:
Bobzooki
Man you can so get a 730i and 735i
10/09, 6:52 PM
posted by:
C-Hole
Imagine a long-wheelbase M5. Or even better, a long-wheelbase M5 wagon! That’d be so kickass.
10/09, 7:49 PM
posted by:
Egbert Souse
I dont know what to make of this
10/09, 7:54 PM
posted by:
bastula
This was probably done to compete with the A6L that was introduced in China last year. Check it out here: http://www.audiforum.nl/Models/article.php?model=A6L_C6
10/09, 8:44 PM
posted by:
InvisibleEcho
I don’t understand the appeal of developing this only for the Chinese market. People who buy these in China have longer legs? Longer bodies? What? Why specialize in a bigger interior longer wheelbase version for China only? I’m usually pretty good about what figuring out what marketing departments in companies are up to… but this one knocks me for a loop. There are big people in other countries too, ya know…
10/09, 9:38 PM
posted by:
Don
177 hp 5-series? That must be painfully slow.
10/10, 12:50 AM
posted by:
Lucifer
people! the 5 series is already produced in china for the chinese market, making a long whellbase version is much cheaper then starting production of the 7 series in china. and importing them from germany isn’t cost effective. so thats why audi also has a long wheelbase A6, the A6L
10/10, 12:54 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
InvisibleEcho: I”m perplexed about this as well. Strange move, BMW, very strange…
10/10, 2:50 AM
posted by:
peter g
Maybe the chinese need to compensate…Big car, small …..? But… China, now known as The Businesspeoples Republic of China, is getting wealthier and wealthier and the successful urban businesspeople need to show off, and there’s oodles of ‘em.
10/10, 4:19 AM
posted by:
gsh
bmw proves once again that they know no boundary for uglyass interiors
10/10, 6:40 AM
posted by:
Carnut4ever
I think BMW should be careful in producing this car in China because there might come a time when you will see an imitation BMW car slapped with a Chinese name LoL!
10/10, 9:36 AM
posted by:
Wickedated
communists ;-P
10/10, 10:29 PM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
This is reallllly cool
10/16, 6:59 PM
posted by:
s4awd
First off, what’s up with all the racist comments. Feels like AOL Carchat from the 90’s. Anyways, most midsize luxury sedans in Asia have full size status. The fullsize 7 is most likely just too big. extending the 5 makes sense.
11/12, 11:13 PM
posted by:
J.A.N.E.
Anyway,China is a monster market filled with desperately needy people.Needy for prestige,status,etc.
11/12, 11:16 PM
posted by:
J.A.N.E.
Those are the people who are now buying BMW cars.Not the original purist core BMW customer base(The understated and elegant.The straight line and muscular).