Hi (BMW) 5

The Carparazzi team has just come up with these pix of BMW's next 5 Series under test in the USA.

Unfortunately they don't tell us anything new: photos of a vehicle driving in similarly icy conditions with identical disguise cladding appeared on our desk more than a year ago.

A brief recap of what we already knew: The next mid-size BMW is likely to get a 10cm longer wheelbase than the current car (that is now in its seventh year in Australia), with a much smaller increase in overall length.

The upshot, says Carparazzi, is that the traditionally snub front overhang will be even less than in the current model even though it will need to meet ever-tougher Euro pedestrian safety regulations. And the new 5 Series will be wider, and a little lower.

And the Chris Bangle curves and creases that polarised opinions yet inspired a swathe of car designers seem to have all-but disappeared behind a more restrained, conservative look that reflects themes similar to those seen in the just-launched, new-generation 7 Series.