Review: The new BMW 520i leans more toward comfort than sporty dynamics but still oozes Teutonic charm
As consumers swap their diesel cars for EVs and hybrids, BMW is catering for public demand — but it still makes room for luxury petrol-powered cars
The BMW G50 520i M Sport Pro Saloon is available with a panoramic roof for the first time in the model’s history
Over the past decade, car buyers have shifted significantly from diesel engines to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and fully electric cars. No car manufacturer exemplifies this transition better than BMW.
Once a dominant force in the diesel market, BMW has pivoted towards greener alternatives, reflecting broader consumer and regulatory trends. In the first three months of 2014, diesel-powered vehicles comprised 97pc of new BMWs sold, with the remaining sales consisting of petrol vehicles and a mere 0.16pc being electric models. Fast forward to the first few months of this year and half the cars sold by the German maker were PHEVs, nearly 20pc were fully electric and diesel vehicles accounted for less than 14pc.
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