2011 BMW 5 Series Review

Preview

What We Know

Already under development with the internal codename "F10," the next-generation 2011 BMW 5 Series will soften the harder lines of the current E60 with more conventional-looking headlights and a cleaner front-end design. New European pedestrian safety standards are expected to drastically alter the design of many European cars for the worse, but BMW will not only maintain its classic twin-kidney grille design, it will reduce the length of the front overhang. Expect to see the use of BMW's new lineup of turbocharged engines as well along with the addition of diesel power to the 5 Series lineup. As is typical of most recent BMW redesigns, this 5 Series will add some space between the wheels by extending the wheelbase nearly 3 inches and widening the track. The overall length will grow by less than half an inch, while its height will be reduced slightly and its width increased by a fraction. A set of 17-inch wheels will be the smallest available with 18- and 19-inch wheels optional. Under the hood, this 5 Series is expected to use variations of existing engines in BMW's lineup. Base power will likely come from a 3.0-liter straight-6 while top-range models could use the latest twin turbo, 4.8-liter V8 introduced in the X6 sport utility.

What Edmunds.com says

This 5 Series will use a more fluid design along with still more advanced hardware to give it an edge over its increasingly adept competitors.