BMW 5-Series to Feature All-Wheel Drive

Competition from Acura, Audi and Mercedes-Benz Make AWD 5-Series Reality

What's the best sports sedan in the world? Well, that depends on what type of drive system you like. For someone who prefers

The new all-wheel drive 5-Series is scheduled to debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

all-wheel drive Audi is a brand that often comes up first on the list, and the A4, A6, A8, or one of the Volkswagen division's "S" derivatives topping the chart.

To those people who prefer rear-wheel drive propulsion, BMW is almost always the benchmark for driving dynamics with the 3, 5 or 7 getting highest marks, or, of course, one of the brand's legendary M cars.

The dynamics of BMW's driving experience and the way new car buyers viewed the compact premium segment changed when BMW introduced its all-wheel drive 3-Series in model

North American models will be dubbed 525xi and 530xi, plus there will be a 530xi Touring. (Photo: BMW Canada)

year 2001, giving top-tier customers something new to consider and Audi a serious threat to its AWD credentials.

Of course, since this time others have joined the all-wheel drive ranks, such as Infiniti's G35x and most recently Acura's SH-AWD (Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive) RL.

With BMW seeing success with its all-wheel drive 325xi and 330xi models, it only makes sense taking on newcomers like the Acura RL, the less recent Mercedes-Benz E-Class and old-timers such as the Audi A6 in the all-wheel drive camp.