Official: BMW 5-Series

The new BMW 5-Series is officially here! Yesterday we got a glimpse through some leaked images, and before that the utterly unrevealing (but still entirely cool anyway) kinetic sculpture video from BMW. The full information drop on the car has arrived, and we're here to cover it.

Say hello to generation six of the critically-acclaimed 5-Series lineage, codenamed "F10". Stylistically, BMW has taken a step back from the Bangle-look, but perhaps not as much as the new 7-Series and 5-Series GT do.

It follows the same template as those cars mentioned, but with a few detail differences in the headlights and rear-end that set it apart. There are also some hints of the BMW CS Concept in the design. The front is closer in overall appearance to the BMW 3-Series, despite the increase in size.

On the previous car, the "Bangled" rear view was much derided, but on this generation the rear is actually the car's most flattering view. The front has been growing on me as well though.

The main thing to celebrate is that this car is in every way a better looking vehicle then fifth-generation "E60" 5-Series. It isn't a revolutionary change, but look at the progression - has the 5-Series ever been? And rightfully so - the 5-Series is the second-best selling BMW in the United States, behind the 3-Series. On January 29th, 2008 the 5 millionth 5-Series was built.

The interior has also been heavily redesigned - the main focus being a center stack that is canted to the driver like past BMWs. In fact, the generation before the current car, "E39" that ran from 1995-2003, was the last 5-Series to be designed in that way. The dash is also asymmetrical, due to the overall curve in towards the driver. BMW says the horizontal lines "accentuate the feeling of space."

Controls have also been reorganized: all displays, knobs and buttons serving comfort functions are placed centrally; controls for the driver’s use only are to the left of the steering wheel, on or near the steering wheel, "or on the front center console" (last one is a bit confusing).

Space has been increased, with knee-room for rear passengers increased by 0.5 inches and the luggage compartment by 18.2 cubic feet.

The 5-Series brings it in the engine department as well. The V-8 is a twin-turbo 4.4-liter unit standard in the 550i, making a whopping 400 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, an undisputably excellent figure.

The standard engine (for now) is BMW's new "N55" turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, making 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. A new engine for the base model 5-Series is coming later this year, and it makes 240 horsepower in the 528i. Along with it, BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive option will be come available.

A manual and six-speed manual transmissions are available, with the automatic being BMW's new 8-speed (!) unit. The 550i is estimated at a 0-60 time of around 5.0 seconds, with a top speed of 150 mph in sport package guise. Interestingly, BMW's Brake Energy Regeneration system that recharges the vehicle's battery during braking and deceleration.

As far as the new 5's suspension and under the skin components goes, it is an end of an era. Since 1965 (other than the M1, BMW notes) all BMW front-suspension systems have been of the strut type. The current model has double-pivot arms, a continuation of this type of suspension.

For the new 5-Series, it gets A-arms up front and a multi-link in the rear. Most components of the new suspension are made out of aluminum, as is the doors and other body components.

An interesting fact is that the 5-Series is now based on the same platform as the 7-Series and recently introduced 5-Series Gran Turismo.  The car also has electric power steering with Servotronic assistance. Overall the car is up in length compared to the previous model, coming in at 192.9'' vs. 190.6".

The technology package on the 5-Series is amazing and exhaustive. Here is just a list of some of the standard and optional  features on the new 5-Series, such as a Head-up Display, Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Lane Departure Warning and Speed Limit Info.

New is a Surround View system that utilizes cameras in the side mirrors and the front wheel arches in conjunction with Park Distance Control and the optional Reversing Assist camera to provide a 360 degree view the car from above of on the iDrive display to assist in parking.

For instance, Integral Active Steering (IAS) is a standalone option on the 5-Series. IAS is an evolution of the Active Steering system on the current-generation 5-Series; it has the ability to add rear-wheel steering when cornering.

Up front it can also adjust the steering ratio to the level "required for parking maneuvers, U-turns and sharp corners," according to BMW. At low speeds, the rear wheels are steered opposite to the front wheels, and at high speeds they turn along with the front wheels. Also new is a streamlined version of the original (and much derided at launch) iDrive control system.

So that's that - the BMW 5-Series has been updated smartly, with BMW's styling team working to take away the styling cons of the old car.

Overall, it appears much more in line with the natural BMW progression from generation "E39" to F10. Driver-focused elements from older BMWs like a center stack canted toward the driver have reappeared, and that is great to have reappear.

We'll have to see how the changes to the suspension geometry affect the excellent drive we've always seen from the car. Until then though, the new BMW 5-Series is looking good.