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Preview: 2010 BMW 5-Series Touring

Posted Wed Feb 25 2009 7:22 PM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

The new 5-Series Touring should arrive 12 months after the launch of the Sedan in December

With the 2009 Audi A6 facelift now on sale and the 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class just a month away from hitting showrooms, attention now turns to the next-generation BMW 5-Series. A class leader since its inception, the 5-Series Sedan and Touring wagon remain crucial vehicles in BMW’s lineup and with the next-gen versions now just months away speculation about the final design has been heating up.

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. The most recent shots gave us a look at the Touring model, which is expected to arrive roughly 12 months after the launch of the Sedan. While heavily camouflaged, this 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.

Story Tags:

• 2010 BMW 5-Series
• 2010 BMW 5-Series prototype
• 2010 BMW 5-Series Touring spy shots
• 2010 BMW 5-Series wagon
• 5-Series
• BMW
• BMW 5-Series
• BMW 5-Series wagon
• Spy shots
• Touring
• Wagon

Reader Comments

• Tue Mar 18 2008 12:44 AM

  Gunnar says

  Wow! If this is conceptual drawing proves to be accurate - then BMW has actually returned some sense into their design! Sharp sedan.

• Sun Mar 23 2008 6:02 PM

  Tony says

  I love it although I wish they kept the same headlight design from the previous model.