2010 BMW 5-Series Touring Sheds its Camo and Reveals Interior

Our spy photographers have outdone themselves this time capturing some of the very first photographs of the all-new 2010 BMW 5-Series' interior as well as of the Touring model's exterior without the obtrusive coat of riveted dummy panels seen in the previous prototypes. Both the sedan and Touring versions of the car are expected to arrive in 2010 and will share much of their appearance with the 5-Series GT fastback, otherwise known as the PAS, that will break cover this fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The first spy photos of the bimmer's cabin indicate that the dashboard design blends styling elements from the new 7-Series and today's 5-Series model. From what we can tell by examining the pictures, the new 5er follows in the footsteps of its larger sibling featuring a more driver orientated centre console and a classic instrument cluster with four circular instruments.

Today's E60 5-Series model is considered by many -and we totally agree- as Chris Bangle's best design effort during his time in power at BMW. These latest spy photos of the next-generation Touring model with the 'light' psychedelic camo point to a less radical design influenced by the new 7-Series and of course, the 5-Series GT model. Highlights include the smoothed metalwork without the hard surfacing and detailing of the current model along with the latest interpretation of BMW's twin-kidney grille that has clearly grown in size.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the new 5-Series sits on a larger platform with shorter overhangs and a longer wheelbase meaning that both passenger and luggage space will be improved over the current model. The larger dimensions will be offset by the extended use of aluminum body parts and numerous other weight saving measures.

Engine choices for the new 5-Series Touring will be the same as for the Sedan and GT models. The gasoline range will consist of naturally aspirated and turbocharged inline-six cylinder units including the newest 3.0-liter twin turbo straight six with 326HP while the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with 407HP will also be among the offerings. The executive station wagon's diesel options will include 2.0-liter turbo and twin-turbo four pots along with 3.0-liter turbo and twin turbo straight six units.

Last but not least, the highly anticipated M5 Touring will ditch the current model's 507 HP 5.0-liter V10 in favor of the lighter and more compact 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in the X5M and X6M that cranks out 555HP at 6,000 rpm and a whopping 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque available between 1,500 and 5,650 rpm. The M5 Touring model is expected to be introduced in 2011.

Carbon or Kevlar Boot Lid for BMW 5-Series and M5 Sedans from Lumma Design

The maker of the outrageous CLR500 RS BMW M5 is now offering owners of the current generation BMW 5-Series and M5 models the chance to outfit their sedans with two 'uber' lightweight boot lids with an integrated spoiler made from either carbon or kevlar. Priced at €4,700, the full carbon bootlid weighs in at 8kg or 17.3 lbs and its exterior is made out of carbon while the interior surface from a mix of carbon and kevlar. According to Lumma Design, carbon is four times more solid than aluminum and 80% lighter than steel.

Buyers with a more limited budget can opt for the kevlar bootlid that weighs 14kg or 30.9 lbs and costs €2,618. In both cases the bootlids are designed to be mounted on the original attachment points.

2010 BMW 5-Series Sedan, Touring and Gran Turismo Spied together in France

One of Carscoop's readers stumbled upon a whole convoy of 2010 BMW 5-Series prototypes this morning as he was heading for his morning chores in the centre of St Remy de Provence in the south of France. Martin O'Connor was quick to snap these photos depicting the whole 2010 BMW 5-Series 'familia' that consisted of the four-door sedan, the station-wagon Touring and of course, the 5-door liftback-thingamajig that the Bavarian's call Gran Turismo.

It is expected that BMW will perform the world debut of the production 5-Series Gran Turismo (see the concept here) at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the sedan and touring variants following suite in a major car show in 2010. Sales of all three body-styles will begin next year.

Powertrain options for the new 5-Series range will consist of naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline engines including the revamped 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six with 326HP and the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 408HP, plus the usual turbo diesels.

At the top of the range buyers will find the M5 sedan and Touring models powered by a new twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering well over 500HP that will make its first appearance on the X5 M and X6 M replacing the current M5/M6's 507HP V10.

Photo Credits and our Thanks go to Martin O'Connor

2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo - Production Version Revealed

BMW decided to give us a preview of the production 5-Series Gran Turismo through an official video featuring an interview with the car's project manager, Hans-Jurgen Branz. Compared to the Geneva concept car, not much has changed on the outside as the only significant differences seem to concern the conventional exterior mirrors and alloy wheels. The interior however is another story as BMW toned down the design and removed the funky trim options in favor of a more production-style look. Hit the jump for the video and a gallery with screen shots of the 5-Series GT that will be officially introduced at the Frankfurt Show this September.

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: BMW

Artists Impression of 2010 BMW 5-Series

Talented illustrator Jon Sibal has crafted yet another rendering, this time depicting the forthcoming 2010 BMW 5-Series sedan that is due to be revealed late next year. As well as using styling cues from the 5 Series-based Gran Turismo concept that was shown in Geneva, Jon Sibal also took into consideration a couple of supposedly leaked photos of the new 5er, including one of the car's front bumper.

Only time can tell if this artist's impression of the next-generation 5-Series sedan has hit the spot or not, but until then, click here to check out our spy photos and read more about the the Bavarian firm's new executive model that will compete head-on with the recently revealed Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Source: Jon Sibal , Via: Worldcarfans

Video: BMW 5-Series GT Concept Presentation in Munich

In a special event in Munich, BMW took the wraps off its new Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo prior to next month's Geneva Motor Show. The five-door liftback which is taller and longer than a 5-Series, supposedly combines elements and characteristics from several segments including MPVs and SUVs. BMW's latest niche model, known until now by as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), is scheduled to enter production later this year. In this film we get the chance to see the concept inside and out as well hearing BMW design director Adrian van Hooydonk's initial thoughts on the GT.

BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo Concept officially revealed: 36 High-Res Photos

Following yesterday's presentation of the new Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo to the members of the press, BMW went ahead and issued the first official photos and details of its 5-door study that will enter production later this year with minimal changes as the 5-Series GT. So what exactly is the GT we hear you ask. Tough question. The GT, which is based on the next generation 5-Series, will complement the sedan and Touring versions of BMW's mid-size executive model, supposedly offering buyers MPV-like practicality and 7-Series cabin space in a liftback package with a coupe-like roofline.

Then again, the GT which is described by BMW as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), comes with a four-seat layout (what's so practical about that?) and a design that is sure to create a new outburst of controversy, especially in what concerns its squatted and 'uber' Bangle-ized buttocks. All we can say is that if any other carmaker (e.g. Ssangyong...) were to introduce such a vehicle, the press would be cracking jokes like a drunk comedian.

But anyhow, time to see the Bavarian concept car in detail. The GT is a big car - larger than the 5-Series in every dimension. It measures 4.998 mm (197-inches) in length 1.901 mm (74.8-inches) in width and 1.559 mm (61.4-inches) in height with a limo-like 3.070 mm (120.9-inches) wheelbase.

Open the pillarless doors and you'll find a four-seat layout and a panorama glass roof with BMW promising that the GT offers the passengers at the rear the same legroom as in the BMW 7 Series and virtually the same headroom as in the X5 SUV.

If necessary, the rear seats can move fore-and-aft by up to 100 mm or more than 3.9-inches so that with the seats moved as far forward as possible, the occupants still enjoy the same legroom as in the BMW 5 Series Sedan, with luggage capacity increasing from 430-liters (the 3-Series has 460-liters) to 570 liters or almost 20 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded down, the luggage compartment increaes to 1,650 liters or nearly 58 cubic feet.

This car's flexibility is rounded off by a two-piece tailgate similar in design with that found in the Skoda Superb with separate openings for additional convenience.

BMW did not release any mechanical details on the 5-Series GT that will make its first public appearance at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in early March. Expect to see the production version of the PAS at this year's Frankfurt Auto Show in September with sales beginning in Europe towards the end of the year or early 2010.