What's the news?
BMW is announcing updates across much of its new car range here in Ireland, but among the modest tweaks to existing series-lines and some infotainment goodies, there's a surprising new addition to the 7 Series family - the first four-cylinder engine ever used in a 7 Series in the model's 40-year history.
In a move that surely makes this the only car in the world that can be powered by motors as diverse as a four-pot and a 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12, the new 725d (and 725Ld; that's right, you can have a long-wheelbase four-cylinder Seven) has a 2.0-litre turbodiesel that delivers 231hp and 500Nm, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, enough for 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds in the 725d (7.0 seconds 725Ld) and a top speed of 245km/h.
Expect 61.4mpg (4.6 litres/100km) and 122g/km CO2 from the 725d (from €91,770), with the €97,720 725Ld only ever so marginally behind those stats (60.1mpg, or 4.7 litres/100km, and 123g/km). The 725 twins arrive just in time to enjoy the leather M Sport steering wheel that will now be fitted to all M Sport Sevens, while the Driving Assistant Plus package (standard on the M760Li, an option elsewhere) includes Lane Change Assistant.
Moving onto the new 5 Series, there are two new engines for the line-up, both 2.0-litre four-cylinder units (one petrol, one diesel). The 520i has 184hp and 290Nm, while the 525d boasts the same 231hp/500Nm as the 725d, with economy of up to 64.2mpg (4.4 litres/100km). The 520i, now the entry point of the whole range, starts at €53,420 and the 525d from €61,400.
The same two motors are also available in the 5 Series Touring, as well as the introduction of an xDrive variant of the 520d. The Tourings are about €4,000 more than their equivalent Saloon models. All cars in the 5 Series family will enjoy an enhanced optional Driving Assistant Plus package (same as on the 7 Series) and the ability to pick and choose from the extended personalisation afforded by BMW Individual.
Extroverts can rejoice if they're after an i8, as a super-limited edition of the plug-in hybrid sports car finished in Protonic Frozen Yellow will be offered. Just 15 will be built, to be sold both here and over in the UK, and each one gets some additional detailing inside, as well as 20-inch light alloy wheels. The price? A fairly hefty €167,590, with the order books closing at the end of 2017 or when the cars are sold out, whichever comes sooner.
Finally, most models across the range will all benefit from the new iDrive 6 software for the BMW Navigation system; it's the fancier touchscreen set-up we've seen on the 5 Series and a few other selected models, the one which incorporates six customisable tiles (viewed three abreast) on the home page.
Anything else?
Cars we've already covered off elsewhere include the revised 1 Series, the 2 Series Coupe and Cabriolet, and the 3 Series (which is basically getting the same updates as the 4 Series range and what we outlined in the 1 Series news story).
What we can add is the 1 Series starts from €325 per month for a 118i SE five-door with BMW Select finance, while the M Sport Shadow Edition models kick off at €298 per month, with prices for those starting at €34,160.
The 2 Series family begins at €35,890 for a 218i SE Coupe, while over in the world of the 3 Series, the 318i SE is €39,630, or €454 per month will see you in a 320i. M Sport Shadow Editions start from €43,530.