Review: BMW 530d M

It's not the M5, if that's what you are thinking. It is though a racier and sportier 5 Series. BMW calls it the 530d M. The M stands for the M Sport package it comes with and the 530d now only comes in that variant.

The 530d M sees some changes made to the exterior like a more pronounced front grille, chrome surrounds for the front fog lamps, updated front and rear apron, re-styled lower air intakes and slimmer and sharply contoured tail-lamps. BMW has also integrated the side turn indicators with the wing mirrors and that does make an impact on the overall look of the car.

In addition to all this, the 530d M Sport comes with a massive 18-inch M alloy wheels, a matt-black tail pipe and of course there is the M badge on the door sills.

There are changes made to the inside too. The 530d M Sport gets a new set of digital dials and a refined iDrive system. In Comfort or Eco-pro mode, the dials' screen displays information in normal analogue format, but everything goes red when the Sport mode is engaged. The iDrive comes with a larger 25.8cm display with a trackpad. Passengers seated at the rear get two screens to toggle through the entertainment system.

The 530d is powered by the same 2993cc, 6-cylinder diesel engine but this one makes 255bhp, 12 bhp more and my word is, it's quick. Once in Sports mode it revs longer and as you provide throttle input, there is no stopping this beast. Sport Plus mode is a whole new ball game and through paddle shifters, you can hold on to every gear and decide when you want to shift.

The 530d M Sport is priced at Rs 57.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and the with the massive output, it is extremely engaging and fun to drive. With the performance on offer, the 530d M Sport is one car that promises a world of luxury and on-road entertainment.