2011 BMW 5 Series Prototypes Caught Testing in Europe

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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NEW 5 SERIES: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/GeneralFuture/articleId=127846?tid=edmunds.il.futurelanding.latestnews..3.* We've seen test mules of the 2011 BMW 5 Series before, first on the streets of Germany and then in the snow of the Arctic Circle. Our latest spy video shows the next-generation 5 Series in the mountains of Austria and on the Nürburgring test track in Germany. Like the prototypes seen earlier, these latest 5 Series mules are covered in heavy camouflage. It doesn't matter much, as this evolution isn't expected to change drastically from the current model. The overall size of this prototype doesn't appear substantially different, so we don't expect any major changes in terms of passenger room, either. The real unknowns lie in the choices BMW will make when it comes time to put an engine under the new sheet metal. Given the somewhat higher sales volume of the 5 Series compared to the more expensive 7 Series, fuel economy will play a slightly more important role. The twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 that's expected to power the 7 Series might prove too thirsty, so BMW could opt for a more efficient V8 to keep overall fuel consumption down. Meanwhile, expect to see the continued use of BMW's inline-6s for base and midrange models. On the tech side, this 5 Series will be the third car in the BMW lineup to use FlexRay for the vehicle's internal control systems. The electronic technology system is designed to allow much faster communications among all the various vehicle systems. BMW first introduced FlexRay for the new-generation X5, although only the vehicle's electronic damping control system exploits the system's faster processing speed. The upcoming 2009 BMW 7 Series is expected to use FlexRay technology for at least a dozen systems, so the 5 Series will most likely go even further. Expect to see even more driver adjustability built into the car as well as additional integration among systems like Active Steering Control, Electronic Differential Control and the usual traction and stability control systems. You can expect to see the official debut of the 2011 BMW 5 Series at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, with U.S. sales beginning a year or so after.

Channel: Autos & Vehicles
Uploaded: July 11, 2008 at 11:10 am
Author: InsideLineVideo

Length: 0:01:17
Rating: 4.42
Views: 64,801

Tags: 2011 BMW Series Nurburgring Edmunds Inside Line auto motor car German

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Video Comments:
ShuffleBoyz93 (Thursday 13th of November 2008 05:11:03 AM)
look weird.
rprice764 (Friday 7th of November 2008 11:34:48 AM)
I hope they do something about improving the styling from the current cars because whats out there right now just isn't right and hasn't been for many years.
z4mcoupewhite (Wednesday 5th of November 2008 07:04:30 AM)
whatever bmw produces is a masterpiece if you like it or not people saying benz ruless must stop watching bmw clips it's simple
csia1084 (Wednesday 12th of November 2008 02:19:41 PM)
No. Chris Bangle ruined the design of BMW's with his idiotic "flamed surface styling." At least right now, mercedes look far better than bmw's.
LaamaX (Thursday 13th of November 2008 11:46:34 AM)
True, bmw doesn't good anymore, 7series went ugly and x1 is weird looking etc.. But I still prefer bmw, I really don't like any mercedes.
LaamaX (Thursday 13th of November 2008 11:47:06 AM)
doesn't look*
ilovefightbaby (Thursday 30th of October 2008 06:24:11 AM)
mercedes benz rules
rockingdrifter17 (Wednesday 29th of October 2008 06:34:42 PM)
no dont mean to be rude, but ur wrong my friend. the styling is different (headlights, tailights, ect.) and whos not to say the 5 series isn't AWD?
bossadave (Thursday 30th of October 2008 12:27:08 AM)
Yes! Do a google search on "new 7 series" you will see the exact same images for the 7 series. Also consider the quad exhausts in the video, only seen on an M5. If the standard car is due for release in 2011 with an M5 probably about 2013 why would they be testing an M5 so early considering it only needs 30 months development.
mvir111 (Saturday 25th of October 2008 12:21:55 AM)
Not a bad car but if they change the tail lights they're set :)