SPY PICS: Next-gen 5 Series

The E90 3 Series has shown us the light. BMW has heard the masses and we can reasonably expect new models from Munich to be a little less confronting in their style, can't we?

We can safely suggest that some of the worst excesses appear to have been tamed in the next generation of 5 Series -- if these spy pics are any basis for speculation. Our spy photographers from Carparazzi captured this 5 Series in flight after they were woken from their hibernation.

Other than the Bangled bootlid, the new car almost seems to mark a return to the style of the E39 generation of 5 Series. Carparazzi tells us that the wheelbase has been stretched by 10cm, but the overall length of the car is expected to be just 2cm longer than the current E60 design. That suggests either more interior room, or shifting the engine back further for the sake of weight distribution -- possibly both?

In profile, the glasshouse looks as if it's shifted aft, lending weight to our view that the extra wheelbase will be mostly between the front wheel arches and the leading edges of the front doors.

Carparazzi advises that the headlights are likely to be a more conventional design than the current E60 model's. The frontal treatment reminds us of the E46 Compact, based on the prototype's apparent lack of headlight covers.

According to Carparazzi, the new model is being developed under the internal code 'F10' and will be more pedestrian-friendly, but will also retain the BMW corporate look kidney grille. Apparently, one tactic to retain the look and enhance pedestrian safety will be developing the car with a shorter front overhang. This may be more grist for the mill where engine placement is concerned.

Engines are believed to be variants of the engine range currently offered, but there are rumours of a turbocharged sub-4.8-litre V8 and an uprated version of the current M5's engine.

-- with Carparazzi