Spy Shots: 2010 BMW 5 series gets new nostrils
by John Neff on Jun 18th 2008 at 11:27AM 
Click above for high-res gallery of 2010 BMW 5 series spy shots
The current BMW 5 series is a bit awkward in appearance, but it appears that the propeller brand will be getting away from the Bangle-inspired creases and concavities of the current model with the car's next redesign. Caught testing on the 'Ring recently, the next-gen 5 series is sporting a new grille with nostrils large enough to drive a 1 series through. Seemingly inspired by the mondo nose of the BMW CS concept, the new 5 series will also apparently sport a smoother overall shape that gets us back to BMW sedans of the past. We dig it, at least in prototype form. Check out more angles in our high-res gallery of spy shots below.
Gallery: 2010 BMW 5 series - spy shots
[Source: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chris 11:35AM (6/18/2008)
That looks more like a new 7 series due to the taillights in the back since the 7 series as the red lines going on the trunk.
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Flashpoint 12:48PM (6/18/2008)
NO...its too small to be a 7
Westside T.O. 4:05PM (6/18/2008)
Honestly, my first though based upon size alone was that a generation ago, this could ACTUALLY have been a 7....sad state, when ever car has to grow in size with each new generation. With that size comes weight, of course, and thus a bigger engine. Most of the time, with no real increase in interior space. (WTF!)
J M C 3 11:36AM (6/18/2008)
Everyone's doing bigger grilles.that's what's current.
I think it must have started with Audi a few years back.then Mercedes slapped a bigger grill on their E Class sedan.
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Volk 10:35PM (6/19/2008)
Love Audi's new design, very cool especially when no front license plate. As for BMW, I hope they wise up and get rid of that stupid Asian mimicking headlights / taillights shapes. When I saw it first, I couldn't believe Germans now mimicking Japanese.
Pat 11:38AM (6/18/2008)
I agree with Chris. I think this car is nothing more than the short wheelbase New 7.
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srDRIVEN 11:40AM (6/18/2008)
possible "M" car with that exhaust setup? the brakes don't seem to match that level of performance, but it also has faux rear doors...interesting
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BigMcLargeHuge 11:44AM (6/18/2008)
Could be the 555i. Twin-turbo V8, 400hp 450tq.
Sergio 4:40PM (6/18/2008)
Yes ur right i was also staring at those quad pipes.
BigMcLargeHuge 11:43AM (6/18/2008)
I like the front, but not the back.
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Richard 11:54AM (6/18/2008)
SWB 7Ser.
Grill frame borrowed from a Pontiac to throw everyone off!
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dpb! 12:06PM (6/18/2008)
Wha? BMW and Pontiac have always had the Kidney shaped grills!
J M C 3 12:10PM (6/18/2008)
Bimmiac...When a BMW looks too much like a Pontiac,or a Pontiac starts looking better than a BMW and You have to do a double take and think for a second.
gotsmart 12:18PM (6/18/2008)
I can't see how anyone can comment on the styling of the upcoming model based on these photographs. The only parts of the sheet metal visible are around the nostrils, the roof, the top of the rear fenders and the trunklid (which looks like a carryover piece, or just used as a placeholder on the mule).
Their camouflage sure does have a smooth look to it, though. But there's no way of truly knowing what's underneath.
While i strongly dislike Bangle's first attempt at the 7-series, the 6-series and the Z4, the 3- and 5-series are quite attractive cars with a distinctive look to them, which isn't easy to achieve these days. The look definitely grew on me, and i still think the 5-series is one of the most attractive sports sedans on the market.
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Caz 12:27PM (6/18/2008)
..you can thank the Euro pedestrian safety laws for the taller, bigger grille trend =/
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Kotse 1:19PM (6/18/2008)
Yeah, good. Better Euro pedestrians laws...
But can they avoid the perils of being sucked in by those huge nostrils.. ;p
VW JUNKY 2:23PM (6/18/2008)
Looks like a piggy with that big nose!
At least that was my first impression.
later
E
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ken_aisin 4:09PM (6/18/2008)
Yawn..... tired of BMW designs.
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AlphaTeam 5:53PM (6/18/2008)
WTF is up with the rear brake light; fugly IMO.
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Billy Nichols 6:52PM (6/18/2008)
I hope that's camo because it's UGLY! Looks like an old Damlier.
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