2010 5-Series.

[Wagner]

(may have already been posted)

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/s...ries-revealed/
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When you think of luxury executive saloons, one car always comes to mind – the BMW 5-series. A class leader since its inception, the 5-series remains a crucial car to BMW. With the current E60 5-series introduced back in 2004, BMW is preparing the sixth-generation model to be revealed in 2010.

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.

[jpm4.8is]

I kinda like it

[GUINNESS]

No likie I have my sites set on an e39 540iT as my next ride. Of course that's after Nicole gets hers so I'll be waiting a while. There's a hot one right now in the Roundel classifieds... dig everything except the badge engineering.

[LeMansX5]

Those chops from 3-series are old and wrong. Next 5-series will be very coupish in shape. The kidney grill will be wide and inverted like the CS concept. Kinda like this latest AMS cover pic but not exactly as AMS chopped a X6 to 5-series.



Here are recent ones by Huckfeldt.

[dr.jay]

I really like it!!!

[Quicksilver]

Looks nice and of course unless there's some dramatic change the new design will be accepted.

Seeing the new Model my frazzled brain begin to contemplate a different perspective. A perspective based on the fact that most people who drive BMW's don't see the outside when they are driving. That part is for the enjoyment of others to see.

What i often wonder is why there isn't more attention given to the interior of the new models where we spend most of our driving time. More pictures. More attention given and discussions regarding functional usage for the driver and passenger. Wind noise, ect ect ect.

I find it interesting that although i enjoy driving the wife's e-60 my X5 is more functional in many areas. And don't get my wife started. She would like to have 5 minutes in the boardroom of BMW so she could give them a few of her thoughts about some of their decisions. Anyway hope i didn't hijack the thread............. (rant over) Thanks for the photo's

[swesson]

Thanks for the look, Wagner. I think it will grow on us. Every 5 series redesign has had to grow on me. I think that shows that the BMW designers are pushing us to accept new looks. If we liked it immediately, it probably isn't forward thinking enough!

[asawadude]

As I toured the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show last week, I couldn't help but notice how Chris Bangle's designs have trickled into the work of the other car manufacturers from Europe to Asia to America. His design elements, which I previously thought to be disconcerting to the eye are now apparently the norm and I've grown quite accustomed to the way the current generation of Bimmers look. I now consider the current 3-series to be the best looking in its class (as compared to the Lexus IS, MB C class, Infinity G, et al); if its design elements trickled up to the 5-series, i would not consider it a bad thing.

Unfortunately, Bangle was less than sucessful in creating beauty in the 1-series. It is not a very pretty car. I met a few BMWCCA members in the BMW hospitality lounge and there was a consensus that the 1-series is already in need of a makeover, especially in the trunk area for both the coupe and convertible.

As I told one of my friends, give me an 135i with a hatchback body of the Volvo C30 and I'd be happier than a pig in shit.

From a sheer car aesthetics standpoint, my favorite cars of the 2008 car show were (in no apparent order and excluding exotics which are out of my fixed income price league): Porsche Cayman, Jaguar XF, BMW 3-series coupe, Audi S5 coupe, and the Volvo C30.