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New BMW 5-series spied
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
These are the clearest pictures yet of the next BMW 5-series, which will go on sale early next year.
The pictures reveal a BMW 5-series with styling that is far more subdued shape than the current car's, with the nose almost identical to the 5-series GT.
Hi-res BMW 5-series spy pictures
The car’s sober shape takes cues from the current 3-series and features the trademark kinked C-pillar and a larger kidney grille.
The new 5-series is based on the same platform as the 5-series GT, itself a shortened version of the 7-series platform.
This has allowed BMW to apply many of the lessons it has learned honing the 5-series GT's ride and handling package to the new 5-series, and company insiders report that it has made significant gains in these areas.
There will be new codenames for the the 2010 5-series: F10 for the saloon, F11 for Touring and F07 for the Gran Turismo.
The car will be slightly larger than the outgoing model but thanks to weight-saving measures it should be no heavier. However, BMW has abondoned its use of lightweight aluminium on key parts of the car, opting instead for an all-steel arrangement.
Although this is officially because of the problems presented by working in aluminium and steel, cost-savings are also thought to have been a factor.
However, clever aerodynamic features are expected to help lower the car's drag, helping to reduce fuel consumption and emissions nevertheless.
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