Story: DAVID WILKINS
BMW is now offering a business-friendly 520d version of its roomy 5-Series Gran Turismo with an economical two-litre diesel engine.
With 520d models already accounting for about 80 per cent of 5-Series saloon and estate sales, the move – prompted by dealer and customer feedback – is long overdue.
The new engine delivers 139g/km and 53.3 mpg economy, making it a much more attractive proposition for tax-conscious company car user-choosers than the big petrol and diesel sixes that have been on offer so far.
The chauffeur market, which already loves the 5 GT’s classy interior with its generous headroom and rear leg-room, should find the 520d version particularly attractive.
The 520d GT enjoys similar equipment levels to its larger-engined sisters – that means leather seats, 18-inch alloys, sat-nav, an automatic gearbox and a big panoramic glass sun-roof come as standard. On-the-road prices start at £35,705.
Pressed on likely sales numbers, Mark Burton, BMW’s Product Operations Manager, would only say “we will see what the market decides”.
But with the 520d version coming on stream, there should be no difficulty beating the 1,000 to 1,500 units the 5-Series GT has been selling in the UK since it was launched in 2009.
The new BMW 520d Gran Tourismo costs from £36,605 in 520d SE Auto trim. If you’re thinking of having one as your business car, then company car tax on this model is 21% giving rise to a benefit in kind of £7650. For a 20% tax payer that’s a paltry £127.50 a month in company car tax for such a prestige car, while 40% tax payers can expect to pay £255 a month.
The BMW 520d M Sport Auto costs £39,905, again with a 21% company car tax banding for 2012/13.