BMW has announced pricing for the all-new 2011 BMW 528i Sedan. The new 528i will arrive at BMW Centers in July and is priced from $45,425 including $875 Destination & Handling. Based on the all-new, 6th-generation BMW 5 Series, the new 528i receives BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-6 engine with magnesium-aluminum construction and 240 horsepower, plus BMW’s new 8-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment. Despite these enhancements, the base MSRP is $1,400 lower than the 528i’s 2010 predecessor.

As on any other BMW vehicle, BMW Ultimate Service, with $0 maintenance for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles, is included.

“When we announced the pricing for the 535i and 550i earlier this month, people were thrilled with what great value they represented,” said Jack Pitney, Vice-President of Marketing for BMW of North American. “With the 528i BMW is uniquely positioned to offer a full range of midsized luxury-performance Sedans that, true to the philosophy of EfficentDynamics, offer better performance and improved efficiency than their predecessors at prices that are even more competitive.”

The all-new 2011 BMW 5 Series combines a whole new look, inside and out, with new powertrain options and even more cutting-edge technology. Design features emblematic of BMW are to be found at the front with its kidney grille inclined slightly forward. The new 5 Series chassis is 55% stiffer than its already-impressive predecessor.

The new 528i is equipped with BMW’s celebrated 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, now enhanced to produce 240 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. These figures represent improvements of 10 and 30, respectively, over the previous-generation 528i. As a result, the new 528i is expected to accomplish the 0-60mph sprint in 6.6 seconds (preliminary), compared to 7.1 seconds for the previous model. The normally aspirated engine is equipped with Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology and weighs approximately 355 lbs thanks to its exotic magnesium-aluminum engine block construction. EPA mileage estimates will be available closer to the July on-sale date.

In addition to the standard 8-speed automatic transmission, new 17-inch light alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires are standard on the 528i, while the optional Sport Package includes 18-inch light alloy wheels with high-performance run-flat tires. Inside, drivers will find standard lumbar support and a larger standard moonroof.

Options and packages for the 528i are very similar to the 535i Sedan with a few exceptions. Xenon headlights will be a stand-alone option on the 528i. The Dynamic Handling Package will provide Driving Dynamics Control and Dynamic Damping Control, which is quick enough to adjust the damping at a rear wheel after a front wheel has encountered a road imperfection at highway speeds. Integral Active Steering is not offered on the 528i.

BMW EfficientDynamics technologies are featured where appropriate on the 528i, including Brake Energy Regeneration, Valvetronic, Electric Power Steering, and on-demand operation of engine accessory drives. Lightweight materials are used to balance the vehicle. Components such as doors, hood, front fenders, and suspension assemblies are made of aluminum.

The driver assistance systems offered with the new 5 Series include an all-new Parking Assistant, Top View cameras, and Frontal Collision Warning with application of the brakes when ordered with Active Cruise Control plus Stop & Go. Other driver assistance features available include Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, a Head-Up Display, and BMW Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection.

The BMW 528i will join the 535i and 550i in BMW showrooms in the US in July.

So there we were at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, ogling a new, preproduction metallic black (or really dark charcoal gray) 2011 BMW 550i, and our BMW pal said, "Hey, like to take it for a drive?" Got any more stupid questions? Gimmee that keyfob, Please. Scott Evans already ran down all the tech and spec stuff for you, so we'll focus on the actual piece in hand and the driving experience. The exterior design is ultrafresh and looks like a modern BMW without some of the overdetailing from which many of them have suffered. It's better balanced-looking than the outgoing 5 Series, but would never be mistaken for anything else. Underhood is the new, 400-horse, twin-turbocharged V-8, backed by ZF's new, and super high-tech, eight-speed automatic transmission.

This car isn't quick; it's genuinely fast, and smooth. We criticized this engine in the new 7 Series for a less than even acceleration curve and slightly jerky throttle response, but no such problem here. Perhaps BMW has evened out the engine's power delivery, or maybe the new trans calibrates the problem away. But the biturbo V-8's got power everywhere on the tach and is easy to drive slowly and smoothly and really gets with the program when you've got your toes into it. There's no turbo lag or jerkiness, just smooth power from a relatively low rpm, as there's meaningful boost available at low rpm. This powertrain makes that silky, turbinelike whirr we've come to expect from BMW V-8s, and it doesn't disappoint. While the result is exceptional, one wonders if this much expensive turbocharger hardware is needed or warranted to produce 400 horsepower. There are other V-8s that make as much power without all the technical complexity. Whatever, it sure works. As is typical of today's ZF automatic transmissions, this eight-speeder shifts smoothly without being mushy, and always seem to be in the right gear want a different one, just order up- or downshifts via the steering wheel paddle-shifter, or the throttle.

The interior is a higher-quality cabin than that of the outgoing 5 Series. And in the event you are/were an iDrive hater, you'll get along with this one better than previous-gen systems. Note that wide, high-def screen up high on the IP, easily in the driver's line of sight and very sharp and crisp to read. BMW seats are often on the sporty side of luxurious, and these are great chairs. Firm and supportive, but the bolstering is never intrusive, and the pinholed leather keeps you comfy in any weather. The highly lacquered wood trim looks great while still looking like wood, instead of shiny plastic, a fate that plagues some other luxury marques.

BMW has really nailed the ride/handling balance on this car too. It's quiet inside, but not overly silent (in a bad way). Wind noise is commendably low, and the big run-flat tires don't rumble much (more likely due to the fact that they are new and had few miles on them). Body motions are well controlled, the car never pitching much in corners, with plenty of grip on tap. Steering is more responsive and linear than in the outgoing 5. The ride quality is firm, but never harsh -- can't wait for the next M5 that'll be based on this chassis architecture!

The rest is all good: nicely weighted, responsive controls and driver inputs. Plenty of performance in every parameter. If you and three friends have a long way to go and a short time to get there, and want to do so in comfort and style, you won't go wrong here. Don't need 400 horses or want to spend quite as much? The new, single-turbo inline-six 535i should still more than get the job done.