Introducing new high-class Business Saloons, the BMW Group is enlarging its range of models for the Chinese market. These new models are long-wheelbase versions of the successful BMW 5 Series designed and developed by the German premium carmaker, which will be presented for the first time at Auto China 2006 in Beijing (18 - 27 November, 2006).

While maintaining the authentic BMW 5 Series characteristics for sporting dynamic driving, the new BMW 530 Li, BMW 525 Li and BMW 523 Li meet the particular demands and requirements of Chinese customers for comfort and more roominess in the rear.

The most striking feature when looking at the new BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase from outside is no doubt the extension of the car's wheelbase by 140 millimetres or 5.51 inches. All of this space is being added at the rear seats providing unique comfort in the back and more roominess for joy of being driven.

A stylish ambience inside the car is ensured by high-quality Dakota leather seats and door linings. The BMW 525Li and BMW 530Li also offer a newly developed rear console complete with an integrated entertainment system, eight-inch screens fitted in a console on the back of the front seats, as well as a cooling box.

The new models are powered by straight-six power units ranging in output from 130 kW/177 hp to 190 kW/258 hp. The BMW 530Li, BMW 525Li, and BMW 523Li all share advanced, cutting-edge straight-six power units, which enables for example BMW 530Li to accelerate to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds and allows a top speed of 250 km/h.

These outstanding models were designed and developed at BMW Group Research and Innovation Centre in Munich with fulfilling all of BMW's demanding standards and requirements. Production of the new BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase is at the Shenyang Plant in Liaoning Province in the North-East of China, where the BMW 3 Series are presently also produced for the Chinese market.