BMW 540d xDrive Lands In America For $62,000 With 261 Diesel Horses

Diesel engines don’t have the best reputation at the moment and that could help to explain the low-key introduction of the 540d xDrive in the United States.

The company hasn’t issued a press release but as reported on Car and Driver, the model recently surfaced on BMWUSA and the site reveals everything we need to know about the diesel-powered sedan.

Starting under the hood, the 540d has a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder diesel engine that develops 261 hp (194 kW) and 457 lb-ft (618 Nm) of torque. It is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system which enables the car accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds before hitting a top speed of up to 155 mph (250 km/h). Of course, one of the key benefits is fuel-efficiency and the 540d xDrive is rated at 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined.

Pricing starts at $62,000 but buyers will receive a well equipped model that comes standard with adaptive LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Other exterior details include LED fog lights, a glass moonroof, and black chrome exhaust tips.

Moving into the cabin, drivers will find 16-way power front sport seats with Dakota leather upholstery. There’s also fineline ridge wood trim, an automatic climate control system, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.2-inch infotainment system with GPS navigation.

A variety of options will be available including a leather-wrapped dashboard, a head-up display, and an Alcantara headliner. Customers can also order an Active Driving Assistant Plus system as well as a Dynamic Handling Package that includes active roll stabilization, adaptive drive, and dynamic damper control.