Wednesday 20th September 2006

Sneak peek at new BMW 5-Series

Mid-range cruiser leaks onto the Web

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2003 BMW 5-Series

Car magazine's Web site sports a sneak look at the new BMW 5-Series, which isn't due to launch until 2009 -- three years away.

It's lighter but bigger, reckons the report and is less controversial -- not so Bangled up, with fewer flame surfaces and weird-looking headlamps. The Hofmeister kink remains but the back looks more than a tad anonymous.

Weight loss comes courtesy of more exotic materials -- but it will of course go heavy on the gadgets, including active rear suspension kinematics, which enables all-electronic control of cornering forces and allows each wheel to react individually.

Motors will be a bit more powerful but with more green cred -- lower consumption plus bio-fuel compatibility. There'll be braking current regeneration too which, with adaptive alternator control, is said to result in 10 per cent fuel savings.

The range will top out initially with a 408bhp 550i, which will host a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet, according to the remarkably well-informed story. Then there'll be a Touring -- and an M5...

For more plus pics, see link below.

• Car magazine story

[GTRene]

Good news since I did not liked the old styling! though the M5 looked ok
on the pics I see the some better looking X3 style front lights wich still can do with some more changes..on the back those rearlights are not of my taste! yuk... but still 3 years to go so hope they make some better looking rears...
ow..engine's sound great too..specialy 550i with 408hp...nice(and ofcorse the M5)
GTRene

Edited by GTRene on Wednesday 20th September 12:13

[PhantomPH]

See, I love the current 5-series ni sport guise. I think its a great looking car.

The new 3-series and 3-series coupe on the other hand....VOMTASTIC!

BMW are just getting it all kinds of wrong lately. This new 5-series is nowhere enar as nice as the current one. The X5 is uglier in it's up-coming facelift, too.

They need some lessons from Alfa, Jaguar, Aston...hell, even Ford and Mazda!

Edited by PhantomPH on Wednesday 20th September 12:18

[andyinpembs]

It definitely does look better from the front, and I guess the back isn't all that bad, but do they need to make it any bigger? Surely its large enough already! What's the average width of a bmw owners ar*e?

[rob05]

It really should be launched next spring not really going to look very fresh in 3 years time considering its styling is very similar to the current 3 series.
I think its a good improvement pity its going to take so long to arrive.

[niva441]

but it will of course go heavy on the gadgets, including active rear suspension kinematics, which enables all-electronic control of cornering forces and allows each wheel to react individually.

What went wrong with the suspension design that they needed to include active suspension geometry, or did they not have enough acronyms for the launch brochures.

[E38]

Gash , just as the current E60 was starting to look good.

But those pics are just 'shopped versions of M5 pre-release shots, just type "e60 m5" into google.

I just hope they dont ruin it...

[phil1979]

I can't see much difference personally. What is 'flame surfacing' anyhow?

[stevebedford1969]

I thought the styling was hiddeous when it first came out. I thought it had to be the beginning of the end. When you get to see so many about it grows on you though. I think the M Sport versions look very nice.

[R998]

E38 said:

Gash , just as the current E60 was starting to look good.

But those pics are just 'shopped versions of M5 pre-release shots, just type "e60 m5" into google.

Exactly, they have basically just added some 3 series styling cues to make it seem plausible that's all.

[Fire99]

oh blimey.. i'd just started to really like the current 5.. (As said, especially in sport trim) Now they go and revert back to more 'restrained' styling.

The current 3 series looks blander than a bowl of rice.

And its gonna be bigger?? flippin heck how big do these cars need to get? The 7 is now the size of a small barn. The 3 is old 5 size and no doubt the 1 is as big as an E30 3 series.
Does that mean they'll bring out a 0.5 Series??

May i add that in all this the UK roads aint getting any wider..

[hoonfest]

Just looking at the top two engine types. The 540i comes with a 4.8 V8 with 367 BHP then the 550i comes with a 4.4 V8 twin turbo with 408 BHP. That's only another 31 BHP hardly seems worth slapping the twin turbos on. Why didn't they bolt the twin turbo on to the 4.8 instead? may have made a few more horses.

Not sure these twin turbos are up to much really, the 3.0 530i and 535i versions with and without TT only add another 34 BHP, twin turbos, rubbish. I could get more power hanging my foot out of the door and pushing the car along.

[burtjp]

is it just me or isn't there much difference

[Dino D]

hoonfest said:

Just looking at the top two engine types. The 540i comes with a 4.8 V8 with 367 BHP then the 550i comes with a 4.4 V8 twin turbo with 408 BHP. That's only another 31 BHP hardly seems worth slapping the twin turbos on. Why didn't they bolt the twin turbo on to the 4.8 instead? may have made a few more horses.

Not sure these twin turbos are up to much really, the 3.0 530i and 535i versions with and without TT only add another 34 BHP, twin turbos, rubbish. I could get more power hanging my foot out of the door and pushing the car along.

They using the turbos to get more torque, not outright power as per the new 335i.
They trying to give us the diesel low-down grunt and petrols higher rev range AND reduce consumption-sounds like heaven to me...

[vinceh]

Jeez but that looks dull, dull, dull. Who ever thought we would be saying 'come back Bangle and spanner some more cars'?

And the various comments about the current car growing on people are interesting, too. I've gravitated from 'Bejasus but that's one fugly car' to 'Hmmmm ........ It actually looks quite purposeful'.

Perhaps BMW should just have the courage of its convictions. Anyone know what current 5-Srs sales have been like compard to the previous model?

[fatboy b]

Still an ugly piece of crap then.

[richb]

phil1979 said:

I can't see much difference personally. What is 'flame surfacing' anyhow?

Indeed - I was just about to say the same thing. Looks like a 5 series to me. Same "Edna Everidge glasses" headlamps and funny boot. That said, they are of no interest to me so if it's different fair enough.

Edited to add that it looks ugly because Ted has put up a picture of the current 5 Series not the new one refered to in the article look at the tail light cluster to see what I mean. Mind you it must be very similar because it had everyone fooled...

Edited by richb on Wednesday 20th September 14:21

[GTRene]

Its the front that you clearly can see its different...

from some angles a bit better but I think it can do better...stil some time left USE IT
GTRene

[richb]

Well that's that sorted then...

[fatboy b]

GTRene said:

Its the front that you clearly can see its different...

from some angles a bit better but I think it can do better...stil some time left USE IT
GTRene

I think the number plate is appropriate - Munich Up

[jimbo22]

Just looks like a big 3 series (E90) i.e dull, dull, dull.

At least the current 5 series evokes a response (ok that maybe that you think it has been beaten with an ugly stick) which gives it a bit of character ands identity.

I've driven a new 3 and while it is a great drive I would never buy one as it is sooooo boring. Come on BMW, don't become Audi!