The new 5-Series Sedan is set to arrive in late 2009 for the 2010 model year and heavily disguised prototypes have already been seen testing around the streets of Munich. While those prototypes revealed few details, these latest computer generated rendering gives us a clear indication as to what to expect for the new executive wagon.
Most of the planned changes are skin-deep. Under the new sheet metal, BMW will continue with its new found love of turbocharging. The new 4.4L twin-turbo V8 from the recently revealed X6 is expected to appear in a range topping model, while more turbo-diesel variants are expected to join the lineup as well. BMW is currently developing its second generation common rail system for its diesel powerplants, which will operate at greater pressure for improved performance. The transmission systems will include a six-speed manual and a six-speed Steptronic semi-auto gearbox, however a new eight-speed unit from ZF is also expected to be available.
Performance will also be improved thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials including carbon-fiber and aluminum. The car’s construction will be a hybrid of an aluminum spaceframe for the front section, and a traditional steel monocoque for the passenger compartment and rear. This will ensure a favorable front-to-rear weight distribution and improved handling. Up front will be an independent suspension with MacPherson struts, with a multi-link layout for the rear. High-performance models will include carbon-fiber body panels to shed even more weight. Check out our previous story for more details including information on the next M5 by clicking here.
Reader Comments
Fri May 4 2007 3:10 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 4:35 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 9:41 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 10:18 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 7:51 PM
Jeev says
Doesnt the rear end remind anyone of the Hyundai Genesis???
Sun May 6 2007 3:50 PM
trytr says
good
Mon May 7 2007 5:09 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 12:06 PM
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 11:05 AM
fod says
its verg good car ....
h love it ...
thanks
Sun May 13 2007 12:50 AM
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 10:58 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 5:13 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 7:41 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 6:13 PM
Doug says
Looks fantastic. Lower, wider, more sophisticated lines ...
Sun Mar 9 2008 8:57 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 3:28 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!
Tue May 20 2008 1:43 AM
Strother says
Very disappointing, once again. BMW has lost it's way.
Wed Jun 4 2008 11:57 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 7:51 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 9:25 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 4:54 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 4:56 AM
BL says
And there isn't even a hood gap between the headlight and grille on one side!
Thu Sep 11 2008 12:35 PM
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.
Thu Jan 15 2009 1:31 PM
hitman24 says
this definitely looks like an overblown 3 series with the rear borrowing styling cues from an x5 but it looks nice though. Alot better than the new 7 series...
Thu Feb 26 2009 2:20 PM
NoNameDenton says
Nice rendering
Sat Mar 7 2009 5:31 AM
Wasp Racer says
Looks a bit like the Mercedes S Class from the front.
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