FOLLOWING IMAGES LEAKED online yesterday, BMW has officially revealed the all-new 2010 BMW 5 Series.
Drawing styling cues from the new 7 Series and the recently unveiled 5 Series GT, the new F10 5 Series sedan succeeds the Chris Bangle-designed E60.
Moving away from Bangle’s polarising design, the headlights of the new 5 Series have lost the upturned outer edges of the outgoing model, while BMW’s trademark kidney grille gets a similar treatment to the 7 Series and the upcoming X1.
BMW describes the new 5 Series’ rear-end styling as “muscular”. Tail-lights are shaped similar to the 3 Series, and the rear deck bears a familiar protruding lip.
Built on the same new architecture underpinning its GT sibling and the 7 Series saloon, the new 5 Series has a wheelbase around 100mm shorter.
At 2970mm, the wheelbase of the new 5 Series reaches nearly 100mm longer than the 2872mm wheelbase of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Making the most of the shared platform, BMW has carried over much of the suspension components found in the 7 Series and 5 Series GT.
Multi-link suspension features at all four corners, replacing the strut-type systems that have held up the 5 Series since its introduction in 1965.
Active Front Steering - which debuted on the outgoing E60 5 Series - is featured in the new model, combined with the optional Active Rear Steering, counter-steering the rear wheels to give a tighter turning circle.
As predicted, the interior features a centre stack angled toward the driver - similar to the interior of the new 7 Series and 5 Series GT.
A new fourth generation iDrive system features in the F10, succeeding the third generation unit that debuted barely a year ago in the 3 and 7 Series. BMW has not yet offered details on the new iDrive’s advances over the previous generation.
The new 5 Series will launch with one eight-cylinder and three six-cylinder petrol engines, two six-cylinder diesels and a four-cylinder turbodiesel.
The 535i is powered by a 225kW turbocharged inline-six with 405Nm of torque. Unlike the outgoing 535i - with which it shares identical power figures - the new six uses only one turbocharger and swaps the existing throttle system for BMW’s Valvetronic variable lift system.
The 550i Sedan is powered by a 298kW twin-turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 - the same as that offered with the X6, 750i and 550i Gran Turismo.
Later in 2010, the 528i will launch, powered by a naturally-aspirated 180kW inline-six.
The 520d produces 135kW via its four-cylinder turbodiesel, with a fuel consumption figure of 5.0 l/100km. The 520d is fitted with Auto Start Stop.
The inline-six diesel-powered 530d produces 180kW, and the 525d develops 150kW.
The entire 5 Series range meets Europe’s strict Euro V emissions standards, and fitted with BMW’s BluePerformance systems, the 530d meets future Euro VI standards.
The new 5 Series will be paired with both an eight-speed automatic transmission and a six-speed manual transmission - though the latter is unlikely to be offered locally.
The 2010 F10 5 Series will be offered with a sport package, featuring BMW Adaptive Drive: an assortment of electronic driver aids that include Driving Dynamics Control, Electronic Damper Control and Active Roll Stabilisation.
An electronic limited-slip differential features in the sports package, coming online when DSC is switched off.
BMW estimates a 0-96km/h (0-60mph) time of 5.0 seconds for the 550i, onto a top speed of 240km/h when fitted with the sport package. Without it, top speed is electronically limited to 210km/h.
Standard safety includes front, side and side-curtain airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and force limiters and active head restraints.
Active Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go - stopping the car completely if needed and accelerating again when safe - figures among the optional safety features.
A full leather interior is standard with the 550i, with six different colour schemes. Dark Burl Ash wood trim is standard, with Ash Anthracite and Fineline Matte available as options.
Australian sales are scheduled to begin in mid 2010. BMW has not yet released pricing details for the new 5 Series, however it will likely bring the 535i to market first. The 5 Series Touring will land in Australian showrooms in the final quarter of 2010.
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Ok so it’s not as imposing or as unique as the current E60, but it sure looks about 20 times better. Looks like it could be a return to form for the 5 Series since the E39 was discontinued.
The proportions of the front grille / headlights / bumper also look a lot more elegant and easier on the eye than the new F01/02 7 Series which has a very bluff front end with the kidney grille probably about 30% too big.
The 7’s younger sibling. I guess it looks better than the outgoing model (in non M-Sport guise).
I agree, much better proportioned than the new 7-Series. Can’t wait to see the M-Sport Package on this.
Looks a lot like a taxi, not sure what all the fuss is about.
Having seen the official full images I’m completely underwhelmed. Boring.
Much nicer than the outgoing model. Classy both inside and out. Looks like (the upper end models at least) will be equipped with all sorts of technological goodies too. Maybe I’ll upgrade to this once I’m finished with my 3-series! (in about 10 years time haha).
This F10 is fantastic, very exciting, what a way to cruise the open roads. Looks great!! I was a fan of the E60 and this would be something I would buy to replace it, well, if I could afford it
Great engines, the 550i is in my dreams…mmmm…. but to add something, the rear active steering reminds me of Honda Prelude days!!!
The E60 was a leader and set the agenda.
The F10 just turns up to meetings and blends in with everyone else.
Hey WOB-GTI. Eagles may fly high, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines!
Can I suggest we wait for the review before we get into a full bun-fight?
Very very attractive … I was holding my breath that it would not imitate the ugly bulkiness of the new 7 series but thank goodness it follows the styling cues and great look of the current 3 series instead … a nice job of returning the 5 series to the classic and classy looks of the older and much loved E39 generation.
Styling is just so-so. Bangle’s flame surfacing may be controversial, but at least it turned heads.
Hmmm, i’ll wait to see it in the flesh before the final verdict. It looks watered down to not offend the conservative target market.
Personally I preferred the E60 in M sport guise, much more aggressive and different. Some disliked/hated the styling, but each to their own.
Seems that BMW have come up with a sneaky way of selling their “sports handling” package by otherwise limiting the top speed .
Car looks much nicer btw.