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The new 5-series will go on sale in March 2009, and is expected to draw heavily on the current model for its styling, resulting in an evolutionary design. A larger grille treatment and greater use of LEDs to give its lighting a more hi-tech and distinguished look.
The BMW is set to grow by 10mm to around 4849mm long, mostly through a stretch in the wheelbase.
In order to prevent weight gain and reduce emissions, BMW will use a developed version of the current model’s aluminium spaceframe ...Read the full article

Good God, if this is anywhere near close to the real design, then that designer will have a certificate on his wall. Yep, from the the Stevie Wonder school of motoring design. Him and the Granturismo designer.

 

Arrggghhh - for gawds sake. 

It's an artists impression of something that is a year and a half away. It's another BMW  'no story' story.

Guess what? A 5 series and an E class go head to head in a showroom battle.

No sh*t Sherlock.

would be interesting to understand the source of some of these stories. greg is in germany i believe, so i would presume the details came from an insider.  this would be an insight worthy of news.

it is fun to have speculation about forthcoming models, happens all the time with other makers as well.  what's wrong with it?  papers speculate all the time about all sorts of stuff, i presume you berate them as well?

 

Kee Law - I agree...Most interesting in this case is the twin-turbo V8 that will be installed with 407bhp... 

Kee Law:

would be interesting to understand the source of some of these stories. greg is in germany i believe, so i would presume the details came from an insider.  this would be an insight worthy of news.

it is fun to have speculation about forthcoming models, happens all the time with other makers as well.  what's wrong with it?  papers speculate all the time about all sorts of stuff, i presume you berate them as well?

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with challenging the anticedence of information that is claimed to be from the 'inside'.

Newspapers wise, I tend to read the broadsheets which give opinion on confirmed facts most of the time so I don't agree with what you say this time. And even then, I take it all with a big pinch of salt.

My work life is centred around the notion of speculation and outcome - speculating to successfully guess, pre-empt and change an undesirable outcome - but also learningfrom the trends and patterns that led to the outcome we had before intervention. When I read this sort of speculative journalism, I like to think I can see what it is for what it is - others will undoubtedly enjoy it though and I am happy to acknowledge that.

What? Another one?

What chance have BMW got to produce a classic when, they change the designs so often.........?

I still like the Z1..........

Autocar I think feel all BMW's are classics.

Actually, the artist they use for the impressions designs better looking cars than Chris Bangle. Maybe they should look to employ him instead.

Probably could'nt take the pay drop!!!

VEEERY NIIIICE!! This car looks awesome. And yes you are right - BMW is the best car make in the world 

calm down, it's only a photoshop job  :)

whilst i love the current 5-series, this one looks like it's adopted daniella westbrook's nose.

 

And I quote: "...and greater use of LEDs to give its lighting a more hi-tech and distinguished look".

You Autocar lads should get up to your local KFC / McDonalds of an evening: you'll find loads of "hi-tech and distinguished" looking Corsas, Saxos, etc.

And I won't have a word said against Chris Mangle - sorry - Bangle...
 

Unlike a lot of people I really like the shape of the current 5-series. I think it's one of the most inventive designs of the current crop of saloons on the market. This is just as well, because design wise, the 3 & 7 series are both duds and poorly conceived. But the 5 works really well.

As for this speculative image of the likely shape of the next 5-series, clearly it's been based on the CS concept and if the actual production car looks something close to it, I would expect BMW to have another winner on their hands.