Although the U.S. and Canadian markets generally receive the same cars, there are noticeable differences in the way automakers package and sell their models on each side of the border. We’ve also seen some Canada-exclusive models, a result of different buying patterns between both markets.
Acura once sold a luxed-up Honda Civic up north called the Acura EL/CSX. Volkswagen did at some point rehash MK4 Golfs and Jettas during the MK5 era with the City name and a lower price tag. And Nissan not only sold a cute little Micra to Canadians, it even created an entire racing series for the car called the Micra Cup.
As a Canadian myself, I always get a kick out of educating my fellow American friends about the sort of Canadian-market cars they’re missing out on, which is why I’m rather excited about this latest addition to BMW Canada’s model roster. Sure, it’s just a 540i, a model you Americans already have. But the Maldives Blue II Metallic paint job on this Legacy Edition model could be enough for you to start scrolling Facebook Marketplace for an old E34.
What’s also great about this Legacy Edition 540i xDrive, is that it does without BMW’s 48-volt mild hybrid technology. It’s really just a pure internal combustion engine
A BMW 5 Series With A Good-Old Inline Six-Cylinder
BMW Canada is making a big deal out of the fact that it’s still possible to order a BMW 5 Series with a back-to-basics inline six-cylinder engine. Up until now, the Canadian market only had access to four-cylinder, plug-in-hybrid or all-electric versions of the 5 Series. Canadians were missing out on the 540i, powered by BMW’s now well-documented B58 engine. For those unaware, that’s BMW’s engine code for its 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline-six.
2026 BMW 540i xDrive Legacy Edition Technical Specifications
|
Engine |
3.0L Turbocharged Inline Six-Cylinder |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Driveline |
AWD |
|
Horsepower |
375 hp @ 5,200–6,250 rpm |
|
Torque |
398 lb-ft @ 1,900–4,800 rpm |
|
0-60 MPH (Manufacturer Claim) |
4.7 Seconds |
What’s also great about this Legacy Edition 540i xDrive, is that it does without BMW’s 48-volt mild hybrid technology. It’s really just a pure internal combustion engine (ICE), which, actually, is starting to become rather rare, especially in the realm of premium to high-end European models. The 540i xDrive pumps out a respectable 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. All of it is then sent to all four wheels via a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Legacy Edition 540i Is A Limited-Production Model
But the inline-six engine isn’t what makes this Legacy Edition special. It’s rather the way it looks through a unique package that’ll only be available in 151 units, and in Canada only. For starters, there’s that Maldives Blue II Metallic paint, which hearkens back to the classic E34 BMW 5 Series, a model sold between 1988 and 1995.
Sure, the Legacy Edition doesn’t come fitted with retro-cool BBS-style deep-dish wheels, but it does come standard with BMW’s current 21-inch Individual 954i wheel package with staggered tires. The Legacy Edition also gets the M Sport Pro Package as standard equipment, which includes upgraded M Sport brakes with blue calipers.
- The 540i xDrive Legacy Edition will be built in only 151 units.
- It is exclusive to the Canadian market.
- The Maldives Blue paint color is a direct reference to the E34 generation of the BMW 5 Series.
What a cool way to pay homage to BMW’s past. This is also a clear sign that BMW will soon move to even more electrified powertrains, meaning we may soon no longer see inline-six powertrains in its cars and SUVs. So, in the future, this rather rare Legacy Edition could be worth quite a bit on the used car market. In its press release, BMW Canada says the 2026 540i xDrive Legacy Edition is available for order now with a single MSRP of $94,500 CAD. The automaker claims that the first deliveries are expected towards the end of the year.
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