Spy Shots: 2011 BMW 5 Series
Now that the world has a good idea of what to expect from the next BMW 7 Series, our attention naturally turns to BMW's tweener car, the 5 Series. Spy photographers have managed to snap off a few shots of the upcoming sedan, and although it is still heavily camouflaged, some of us are already beginning to appreciate the end of the 'flame surfacing' that defined the propeller-brand's last generation of products. Instantly noticeable are the huge double-kidney grilles up front, which appear to mimic those introduced on the Concept CS sedan and featured on the new 7. Reports indicate that the 5 Series will add a fastback coupe similar in concept to the X6 to go along with the expected sedan and wagon. The interior shots show the newly-revised iDrive system with its enlarged display. BMW still plans to cover its center-mounted navigation screen with a gigantic domed hood, and the joystick-style gear lever used in some of its current models also returns, but the iDrive controller appears to be relocated to a more natural spot forward on the console.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard 4:36PM (7/05/2008)
Hey!
Weren't we told 2 weeks ago that this is the new 7ser?!
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Paul Tan 7:50PM (7/05/2008)
That's not the 7. The 7's instrument panel rings are not a complete circle as the bottom half is "drawn" via the Black Panel LCD.
dave0mary 4:42PM (7/05/2008)
No dramatic changes it seems in the next-gen Bimmers. Economics? Their corp. goal is to turn a higher profit. Cheaper tooling rampup/changes mean less cost. Will we see same from other mfr's?
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Torrent 4:43PM (7/05/2008)
Not another one.........
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User 2:43PM (7/06/2008)
I'm scared...
After seeing the 1, M1, and 7... I'm very, very scared...
Frank 4:45PM (7/05/2008)
A fastback coupe? Sounds kinda cool. But lets get a badass Turbo 4 in a stateside BMW first, then the 5 coupe.
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MARCO 4:52PM (7/05/2008)
Well with REVOLUTION comes EVOLUTION. Its hard for a company to constantly revolutionize their products every year or so. Not to mention costly on them and the consumer. This is very evident with the 2009 7 series. Dont be surprised if the next gen A8, E-Class, and S-Class follows the evolution path in the future as well. I don't expect a completely revolutionary car from BMW for another 5-6 years. Maybe in time for the 2017-2018 BMW 7 series and 5 series. Who knows at this point.
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Cary 2:47AM (7/07/2008)
I think Mercedes S-class designers would disagree with you. Every S-Class has been utterly revolutionary in comparison to the last. Technologically and design wise. I believe it was the great Clarkson that said, "The S-class has always been the benchmark and the standard of what technology will be every car in 20 years."
Dio Italiano 4:58PM (7/05/2008)
I hope the coupe will be smaller then the sedan, there isn't anything sporty or appealing about a huge coupe. Oh yeah, it better not be a hatch.
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500 5:35PM (7/05/2008)
Um, I think you and Frank missed the "similar in concept to the X6" part. If that's true it will be a hatch, will be (relatively) huge, and won't be a true coupe at all.
Kitko 5:08PM (7/05/2008)
Well, expect a Series 7 lookalike only smaller.
To paraphraze Clarkson...
in a BMW dealership
Good morning, can I have 4.80 meters of BMW, please.
Sir, that would be Series 5 for you.
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Paul Tan 5:42AM (7/06/2008)
That's hilarious!
Zane 10:15PM (7/05/2008)
Oh God no! BMW seems to have fallen in the same bottomless pit of crappy design that's currently occupied by Honda. The 3xx sedan looks horrible, the new 7 looks a bit bland while the upcoming 5 suggests a goofy-looking front end. Makes me wanna go back to my '05 ZHP all the more.
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Lithous 2:33PM (7/06/2008)
Nice Dodge Ram front grille.
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