It will be a tough job for the designers as well as the thousands of engineers working across BMW's development centers to renew the current model, a car that already resides at the edge of the technical front line. The new design is critical for BMW’s design manager Adrian van Hooydonk and his team, who have to create an exterior that radiates the brand's distinctive design values and at the same time feels new and fresh. Using information from various sources, these renderings were compiled by our partners over at Sweden's Auto Motor and Sport and their illustrator Radovan Varicak, giving us a preview of what the final version will look like.
The front-end will likely feature a more upright kidney grille in order to comply with stronger pedestrian protection laws, while the headlights won't be stretched out like on the current model. BMW's characteristic interaction between convex and concave shapes will still be emphasized, and will be clearly indicated in the engine hood's lines. The rear roofline and C-pillar connects more fluidly to the trunk lid, which is now devoid of the 'Bangle-butt' that was so universally derided with the E60 model. Parts of the tail-lights continue onto the trunk lid in order to strengthen the impression of width. We must say, this design is very pleasing and if BMW’s car looks anything like this, we sure it'll lure back any customers loss to its rivals because of the controversial styling of the former E60.
Follow the jump to see the full car from both the front and rear.
The new 5-series is being built off an entirely new chassis, with double wishbones in the front, like on the new X5. The move is designed to give better control and road grip around corners, according to the chassis engineers. With the aid of the extremely fast Flex-Ray automotive network communications protocol, the adaptive shock absorbers is set to become more effective, as will active steering. BMW will also be updating its iDrive system for the new 5-series, making life a little easier with the addition of yet another pair of programmable buttons.
Those that think the standard 5-series isn't sporty enough will have to wait for a few more years until the new M5 turns up with its V10 motor and more power than the 507hp offered in today's edition. The M version will be the only 5-series model offered with a new dual clutch gearbox (similar to VW's DSG technology). The standard version will instead be fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission that will take the fight to Lexus. This gearbox is being developed by ZF, which will also manufacture a new four wheel drive system that will feature in the new Five. A new 5-series wouldn't be complete without the introduction of more electronic driver's aids, and this time BMW is bringing "Dynamic Performance Control" to the table. The system actively distributes torque between the wheels, depending on how the car acts during a turn. The result is increased security and the ability to handle larger side forces. The new differential will also come in the new 3-series and potentially even the 1-series as an option.
A full-hybrid system, featuring an electric motor in parallel with an engine, is not currently planned for the new 5-series, which instead is likely to feature the same system already used in the 1-series. This "light-hybrid" system consists of an electric starter motor that’s connected to the crankshaft and can function as both a generator and a propulsion system, spinning the engine during initial off the line acceleration. The "light-hybrid" will be available in both diesel and petrol versions and expect a new V8 diesel engine to make its debut in the next-gen model.
The "two-mode" hybrid transmission that was developed by BMW together with General Motors and DaimlerChrysler is mostly aimed at bigger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. The design features dual motors, and an advanced control system that can allow both engines can be turned on simultaneously, and to regenerate electric power during braking.
This two-mode system, however, is not currently planned for the next generation 5-series, although BMW has not eliminated the possibility that a similar technology can be added towards the end of the model's life cycle. We'll have to make do with the "light hybrid" at the moment since BMW feels it has already succeeded in heavily reducing the fuel consumption of their engines. However, it remains to be seen whether or not BMW will be able to reach the EU's new requirements for average CO2 emissions of 130g/km by 2012.
Reader Comments
Fri May 4 2007 12:10 PM
vcvd says
what aload of rubnbish a 3series ophot choopped with new x5 graphics, i very much doubt adrian and bangle will do this....
more like a journo with 12 much time on hands........any 1 else out ther with sence
Fri May 4 2007 1:35 PM
admin says
Please point out the bits from the 3-series and X5 that you speak of. The headlight and front is different to any current BMW. Yes, the styling is derivative of the other cars in the line-up, but that's to be expected. All sources so far have said the new 5-series will be more conservative than the old one, which polarized opinions and lost sales for BMW.
Fri May 4 2007 6:41 PM
Gus says
Anything will be an improvement over the current 5.
If it looks like the current 3 coupe, then it is fantastic...
Sat May 5 2007 7:18 AM
Jack says
Beautiful car!
I do hope they make it like that (although the crease lines are a turn-off).
Sat May 5 2007 4:51 PM
Jeev says
Doesnt the rear end remind anyone of the Hyundai Genesis???
Sun May 6 2007 12:50 PM
trytr says
good
Mon May 7 2007 2:09 PM
calvin says
Thank god they got rid of the constipated look of the bangle butt...!
Agree with GUS's comments above.
I think it just needs one more agressive move, maybe the front bumper-
Wed May 9 2007 9:06 AM
Bogdan says
Hello,
I would like to express my indignation against BMW design team or strategy. What is this ? A Lexus ? Where is the "face" of BMW cars that impressed a world for over 20 years ? What is the matter with you people from BMW ? You don't build cars with Japanese look. I won't sell a E39 for this kind of design.
Thanks
Thu May 10 2007 8:05 AM
fod says
its verg good car ....
h love it ...
thanks
Sat May 12 2007 9:50 PM
Kiemyster says
meh. looks like a photochopped E90/E92 3 series if u ask me., let me point it out:
the rear lights are initially the same as the E90, just stretched.
the head lights are a mixture of the E90 with the "pullback style" as the front contains just a reverse of the E92 headlights.
the rear is a toppled E90 end with a E60 rear bumper.
OTHER WORDS: this WILL NOT be how it is. its just too predictable. in other words, its not BMW. its beautifull, i give it that. but. its not as aggresive. and BMW sports mainly aggresive cars, where Mercedes is more calm (excluding the SLR lol).
i dont mind if it comes out like this, but then, what that really comes to mean, is that im paying for what? a stretched 3 series? now. i own a E90, and would rather keep it over a 5 series. its just much sportier. wen it comes down to the end, what is a BMW? its really about the perfect mixture of preformance, reliablity, safty, and on the softer side, luxury. so. i wouldnt mind this car to be it, but its not as aesthetically pleasing as the current E60. at least, this is just my opinion, and everyone will have a different view on this and i respect that. but personally, im sticking with the current 5 series if this is what BMW has in store for the future. of course. i dont plan on getting a 5er, not now. not in a while. i rather keep my E90 and get the coupe E92 as well! ;)
Sat May 19 2007 7:58 PM
JJ says
Nice pictures. As long as they clean up the "Bangle Butt" and tidy up the front, sign me up. The reason I didn't buy into the current series was the design. Make what you want but it's my money!!
Tue Jul 10 2007 2:13 PM
Bruce Chandler says
Now THAT'S more like it. Love the design. I currently drive a 530i (2003). It's the very last year before the "new" and current 5 series design. I've tried to like the "look" of the latest 5 series for the past few years, thinking it would grow on me. NO. It's just plain UGLY. It's BOXY, all of the busy-ness in back with the lines and the creases is not attractive, AND, the front headlights that sweep back like Andy Rooney's eyebrows....UGH!!!! Let's HOPE the 2009 or 2010 5 series (conflicting reports as to just WHEN it's coming) is like these artist photo renderings or at least CLOSE to these. If the next generation 5 series DOES look like this, by then I'll be more than ready to trade in my 2003 and GET it. If the latest winds up as ugly as the current one, then maybe I'll keep mine until the wheels fall off. It's the best car I've ever owned.
Fri Aug 24 2007 4:41 PM
rbcameron says
Can I just say ditto to Bruce Chandler? I love my '99 528, which I traded an '83 318 to get, and plan on keeping it until the 5 series looks more like these photos than the current offering. If BMW actually does produce a 5 series that returns to attractive, I'll be heading to the showroom, but not before. Besides, my '99 is just fine, a joy to drive, and is only showing its age around the margins...
Wed Feb 6 2008 3:13 PM
Doug says
Looks fantastic. Lower, wider, more sophisticated lines ...
Sun Mar 9 2008 5:57 PM
CJ says
The 3-series is the best looking car bmw has on the lot today, so what would be wrong with a larger, more refined, sportier 5 series. I'm happy to hear from the other comments that I'm not the only one who hates the rear end of the current 5 and 7 series. I currently drive a 06 E500 (mb sorry!!) but I am ready for this new 5 if it looks as good as these renderings.
Mon May 12 2008 12:28 PM
bob magnani says
I'm already salivating. Truely when will it appear in showrooms. Hopefully fall 2009 when the lease on my current 530xi is up!
Mon May 19 2008 10:43 PM
Strother says
Very disappointing, once again. BMW has lost it's way.
Wed Jun 4 2008 8:57 PM
Jon says
My dad just went to a marketing study and was shown this exact car. This is the 2010 BMW 5 unless the focus group wanted to make changes.
Sun Jun 22 2008 4:51 PM
honest midwest says
Another ditto to Bruce Chandler's comments. I have a '02 wagon and it has always been and remains awesome. Would like to buy a new one someday but not until a design just as good,
is rolled out.
Mon Jul 21 2008 6:25 AM
Ryan says
If this is the next 5 series all I can say is that it isn't very exciting. I live near a BMW Financial office and I see BMW's everywhere and what gets me is how ugly they have become. Particularly the current 3 series sedan and X3. These photos appear to indicate I will be forced to share the road with ugly, and quite plain, BMW's for several more years.
Tue Jul 29 2008 1:54 AM
BL says
Kiemyster! Haha, it's Bimm. Loyalist from e90post.
Anyways, this is a horrible photoshop. It will look nothing like this, and I'd bet big money on it.
First of all, let me point out the borrowed bits and pieces that have been used to make this so called "prediction":
1) The most OBVIOUS hinter is the current e60 5er grille.
2) The headlights are chopped from an X5, and the one on our right hand side is messed up where it joins the hoodlines that flow down to the grille.
3) The front bumper is just a warped version of the pre-FL e60 5er's.
4) The Hoff-kink gives away the fact that this was jacked from either an e90/e60, both of which look very similar in the C-Pillar region.
5) The trunk comes from an e60, and the taillights have the same details as an X5's, but in the shape of an e90's.
6) The rear bumper is an exact copy of an e90/e92's, albeit with e60 5er reflector strips.
7) The mirrors are screwed up.
There, you see? Besides, none of the design elements in these photochops are even close to the new BMW design language.
Tue Jul 29 2008 1:56 AM
BL says
And there isn't even a hood gap between the headlight and grille on one side!
Thu Sep 11 2008 9:35 AM
Brent says
I love this Bmw ,It's a lot sportier than the current design , I think a black or dark blue one would look awesome.
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