BMW 5 Series LWB sedan to debut at Beijing show

BMW is the latest European luxury brand to develop a stretched sedan exclusively for the China market, with its new long-wheelbase 5 Series. The range-topping BMW 535Li and its siblings will make their public debut later this month at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show.

Also reportedly slated to appear at the Beijing show is a new Mercedes-Benz E300L, a stretched version of the recently overhauled E-Class sedan, also aimed exclusively at well-heeled Chinese customers.

The new German entries will compete with such existing long-wheelbase models as the Volvo S80L and the Audi A6L. General Motors also plays in the segment with the China-only Cadillac SLS.

The LWB 5 Series will be assembled at the BMW-Brilliance plant in Shenyang in northern China.

The wheelbase has been stretched by 5.5 inches, with most of the additional room in the rear passenger compartment—a nod to owners who prefer to be chauffeur driven. Amenities include a new "high comfort" rear bench seat, plus such options as rear sun blinds, a folding table in the back of the front passenger's seat, rear-seat entertainment and four-zone automatic climate control.

Buyers can choose from three inline six-cylinder engines, including a 302-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter unit. All engines come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Among the advanced technologies offered on the LWB 5 Series are night vision, parking assistant, lane departure warning and head-up display.

Inside Line says: What took BMW so long?