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Spy shots: 2010 BMW 5-series Touring

Posted Wed Apr 22 2009 4:43 PM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

The new 5-series Touring should arrive 12 months after the launch of the Sedan towards the end of the year

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 just around the corner speculation about their final design has been heating up.

The new 5-series Sedan is set to arrive later this year as a 2010 model and heavily disguised prototypes have been seen testing around the streets of Munich on a number of occasions. These latest shots give us a look at the Touring model, which is expected to arrive roughly 12 months after the launch of the Sedan.

Under the car's new sheet metal, BMW will continue with its love of turbocharging. The new 4.4L twin-turbo V8 from the 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

• Sun Jan 4 2009 9:19 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  Would love to try it out with the 4.4 turbo V8 and the diesels, too bad Americans do not buy wagons in great numbers, but I love them.

• Sat Apr 18 2009 4:26 PM

  NaBUru38 says

  My problem with German luxury sedans and wagons is that I always find the hodd too long. This is happening again with this car. BMW Tourings and Mercedes T-Modellen used to have ugly butts too, but fortunately this 5 Series seems to look perfect. The same can be said from the future X1 and X3, but not from the 5 Series GT and X6.

• Wed Apr 22 2009 10:39 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  Too bad we never get the Motorsport version of the wagon