BMW 518d Limousine, Glacier Silber Metallic, 105/143 kW/PS

BMW have announced multiple technical updates for its line-up. They range from engine to transmission updates, availability of new engines, xDrive all wheel drive on models previously only available as rear wheel drive, and more. Let's go through the details of what's relevant to us.

BMW 520d gets new 190 hp 2.0 turbodiesel

First off - a car that's actually available for purchase in Malaysia. The BMW 520d will get a new 2.0 litre turbodiesel engine from BMW's new modular engine system. The new engine uses an aluminium crankcase with thermally joined liners for optimisation of internal friction coefficients, integrated balance shafts, and a map-controlled oil pump. Injector pressures have been increased to 2,000 bar.

The new engine outputs 190 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, which is an upgrade from the current 520d's 184 horsepower and 380 Nm numbers. Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h is 7.9 seconds for the 520d sedan, while consuming just 4.7 litres per 100km.

8-speed automatic now with proactive drive system

BMW has updated their 8-speed automatic with the ability to use data from the navigation maps to 'see the curves ahead'. This will allow it to optimise the shift pattern to be precisely adapted to the route you are traveling on - for example the shifts will be optimised for a roundabout coming up ahead.

The system works even when the navigation guidance is not active, but when you actually have a route set, it has the further ability to include optimising the gear shifts for turn-offs and motorway exits. We wonder if Malaysian maps has sufficient information for this to work here.

BMW X5 gets optimised 8-speed automatic

This is a rather new car but it will get updated too. The X5's 8-speed auto will be updated with better transmission control, efficiency, as well as shifting dynamics. BMW says this will help acceleration, reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

1, 2, 5 to get new iDrive

This new iDrive was already introduced to the 3, 4 Coupe and 4 Convertible in the last technical update in spring 2014 - it will be added to the 1, 2 and 5 this summer. I've already tried this iDrive system in Malaysia, where it is found in the 7-Series and X3. The graphics and animation are a lot better - BMW says the new processor can generate images 10 times faster.