One of the most polarizing vehicles to come out of Munich during the Chris Bangle era has been the current 5 Series, codenamed E60, was launched for the 2004 model year, with a minor facelift and powertrain revision applied for 2008. The next-generation of BMW's controversial yet popular sedan, codenamed F10, has been spotted testing in Germany in heavy pre-production camouflage.
To comply with recently-adopted European pedestrian safety standards, a drastic rework of the front end will be necessary, which can be seen in the shape of the front fascia -- there is no bumper extrusion whatsoever, similar to the look of today's Audis. Headlamp housing probably won't extend as far into the fenders as it does on the E60 and the front overhang will be shortened, but BMW is expected to retain its iconic kidney grille, though it'll be interesting to see how it will be incorporated. At the rear, the infamous "Bangle Butt" remains, though it shouldn't be as pronounced. In all, the next-generation 5 Series should be an evolution of the E60's style, rather the revolution that the E60 was when compared to the E39 that preceded it.
Powertrain options are unlikely to change from the existing naturally aspirated and twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-sixes and 4.8-liter V-8. Worth noting is the quad-outlet dual exhaust, which presently is only on the M5. Its presence hints that this mule is a V-8 model and that BMW is joining most of its competition in fitting dual-exhausts on V-8 variants of its mid-range offering. An even more powerful V-10 for the next M5 is rumored to be in the works as well.
The next-generation 5 Series probably will not arrive until sometime in 2010, three years after the recent mid-life update of the E60, which equates to perfect timing for a home-turf debut at the next Frankfurt Auto Show in September 2009.