2025 BMW 540d confirmed: Diesel 5 Series returns to Australia

The 2025 BMW 5 Series line-up will expand in Australia with the addition of a new diesel variant.

Set to arrive between October and December, the diesel version of the new ‘G60’ 5 Series will be offered in 540d xDrive all-wheel-drive sedan form to replace the rear-wheel-drive ‘G30’ 530d last offered in 2023.

The previous BMW 530d sedan and wagon were used by some police fleets across Australia for highway patrol duties – in addition to BMW X3, BMW X5 SUVs and cars from Kia, Volkswagen, Skoda or Chrysler – following the end of Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon production.

It is unclear if police forces will consider the new 540d, nor if a 540d Touring wagon will become available.

“We are confident the new 540d xDrive, with its vast range of abilities, will appeal to a wide audience,” said a BMW Australia spokesperson.

The 2025 BMW 540d xDrive will join the petrol-powered 520i entry model and the forthcoming M5 performance model with a plug-in hybrid V8 in the new 5 Series line-up – along with the all-electric i5 line-up.

i5 models available in Australia include the eDrive40 and M60 xDrive sedans, and the M60 xDrive Touring wagon.

The 540d features a 223kW and 670Nm 3.0-litre mild-hybrid inline-six turbo-diesel – up 28kW and 50Nm over the previous 530d – and is matched to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. It has a claimed 5.2-second 0-100km/h sprint time.

The 48-volt mild-hybrid system can deliver up to 13kW and 200Nm of boost to the engine, and also serves as the starter motor.

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BMW Australia has confirmed the 540d will be fitted with the M Sport styling package with standard equipment including 20-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint, an illuminated grille, matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beam, leather upholstery and a 655-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound audio system.

Full details for the 2025 BMW 540d – including pricing and features – will be confirmed in July ahead of its arrival in local showrooms between October and December.

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals 231 examples of the BMW 5 Series have been sold in Australia to the end of April – up 110 per cent over the same time in 2023 – compared to 77 Audi A6s, 55 Mercedes-Benz EQEs and 39 Mercedes-Benz E-Classes, with the latter model in runout ahead of a new-generation that went on sale this month.