News homepage
Driving on an alpine route near Kitzbuhel in Austria we spotted the next generation BMW 5 Series out testing. The disguised car was parked at the side of the road while the two engineers inside sat checking their laptops. Although disguised it's possible to see the overall shape of the new 5 Series, its front the most dramatic change over the outgoing car. With an extended kidney grille and headlamps (which are certain to feature BMW's now signature eyebrows) sweeping around the front wings the 5's face looks to resemble its Z4 and 7 Series relatives the closest, the bonnet in particular looking similar to the multi-contoured item that features on BMW's latest Z4 Roadster.
The rest of the styling isn't quite so dramatic, with the 5 Series looking
like a large 3 Series in profile. The rear loses the raised boot lid of the existing car, but the bold rear lights remain and dominate the rear styling. Under the skin the new 5 is likely to feature an engine and transmission line-up largely similar to its recently introduced 5 Series Gran Turismo relative, with a lot of emphasis on BMW's emissions and fuel saving EfficientDynamics technology.
Expected to be on sale in 2010 the new 5 Series should debut at a motor show soon, with LA, Detroit and Geneva all possibilities for the new model reveal. M car fans will have to wait though, the flagship performance machine (which is anticipated to bin the naturally aspirated V10 for an updated version of the turbocharged 547bhp 4.4-litre V8 that features in the X5/X6 M models) is not due to reach showrooms until 2011.
Kyle Fortune - 14 Oct 2009
|
|
|
09 Mar: Last year average new car CO2 emissions fell by the greatest margin ever. The average new car in 2009 produced 149.5g/km, down 5.4% compared to 2008's results. The figure represents a 21.2% drop since data was first collected in 1997.
01 Mar: The Skoda Superb Estate is on sale now with prices starting at £17,715. It has 633 litres of luggage space, which can be increased to 1,865 litres by folding the rear seats. Engines range from a 104bhp, 1.9-litre diesel to a 256bhp petrol V6. [more...] [photo]
24 Feb: Jeep's latest special edition, the Grand Cherokee Overland Tech, will go on sale from 1st March. Priced at £33,450, 115 examples will be built. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, leather seats and a 276-watt sound system.
More headlines...
|
|
|
