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It is expected that the next generation executive BMW will grow in pretty much every direction, including wheelbase and wheel-track. In order to keep up, the wheels will follow the same trend, and standard equipment will feature 17” rims. Sports versions (like the M5), are expected to use 20” wheels or bigger.

The new proportions will head the 5 Series into a sportier look, with a coupe feel in it. A glimpse of that has already been shown by BMW, with their latest concept, the CS.

Technologically, the future 5 Series will be as surprising and uncompromising as ever. The only difference will be that, in the overall tendency of the market, there will be an increased attention to the ecological and fuel consumption issues. Performance will be even better than before, helped by those components that give the BMW name, the power units. Starting from a 2.5 litre straight 6 with 220 bhp, the petrol engine range will extend up to the brand new 410 bhp V8 biturbo. Four diesel engines will also be made available, ranging between 2.0 and 3.0 litres, with single and biturbo systems and offering over 300 bhp.

The diesel engines should get urea injection – as Mercedes is pioneering – to cut nitrogen oxide emissions. A stop/start system and upshift indicator for six-speed manual versions will help reduce fuel consumption, and the engines should be biofuel- and synfuel-compatible. Brake energy-regeneration, in combination with adaptive alternator control, should also save up to 10 percent more fuel too. Also in the works is a more powerful version of the M5’s 5.0-liter V10. The 5-series will have a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.

The classic six-speed manual gearbox is joined by a traditional, torque-converter automatic that shifts 50 percent quicker and also can skip gears. BMW’s unloved SMG sequential manual found in today’s M5 bites the dust, but two new auto/manual hybrids are planned. One is a faster-shifting evolution of the current SMG. The other is a dual-clutch automatic.

Due to the wider track and lower height the all new styling of the new 5-Series will make it look almost like a coupe, but the lines will be soften. More exotic body materials help make the standard car a bit lighter than its predecessor—but there are plenty of new optional add-ons to cancel out the weight savings. Among them are active rear-suspension kinematics, xDrive all-wheel drive with active torque split, stability-enhancing active yaw control, and the next-generation electronic damper control system.

The images are computer generated and aim to offer you an impression on how the final product might look like, based on the latest information available.

Source: Internal