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| BMW 5 Series History |
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The first BMW 5 Series, the BMW 1500, named "The New Class", first appeared in 1961. It was the first German mid-sized 4-door car with an agile
sporty chassis and powerful engine that was also comfortable for 5 passengers.
Production of sibling models, named the BMW 1800, the BMW 1600, the BMW 2000 and BMW 2000tii, followed until 1972. At the end of production, "The
New Class" had become the most successful BMW model series.
In 1972, the 5 Series debuted the BMW 520 and BMW 520i. New interior and exterior designing, improved passive safety features as well as extensive
use of computer technology marked the 5 Series as a new generation of automobile.
Newer 5 Series models, with added-value features, named the BMW 525, the BMW 528, the BMW 520, the BMW 530 and the BMW 535, quickly followed on the
car scene. When this generation of the 5 Series came to the end of its lifecycle in 1982, BMW had more than doubled production of automobiles in
this class.
In 1985, BMW debuted the 524td, a diesel-engine model that boasted characteristic dynamic performance and smooth derivability. In 1988, the
M5, with a 256 horsepower 24-valve engine, was first offered in the United States. It proved to be one of the fastest sedans in the world.
In that year also, a completely new 5 Series, the 535i (with a chassis derived from the 7 Series), took center stage and became one of the outstanding
success stories in the history of BMW automobiles.
By 1995, the 5 Series sedan had grown in every dimension within its class. In 1997, BMW offered the 540i Protection model, the first standard
light-armored security car in Germany.
The 5 Series has always set high standards.
In 2004, the newest 5 Series continues this tradition as successfully.
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