Spyshots: 2011 BMW 5 Series

After several months of absence, the next generation 5 Series, scheduled for release sometimes in 2010, has been once again caught testing. Not much has changed since July, when the first batch pf photos surfaced, nor has any additional information been released.

The Bimmer is wearing roughly the same hypnotic outfit as last time, hiding whatever changes have been made to the front and back ends, as well as to the sides of the car. Still, however exciting or radical the changes will be, they are not as exhilarating as what BMW has prepared for the propulsion means and frame to be fitted in the new 5er.

Unlike its today's version, the next 5er will use an all steel construction with a body some 2 centimeters longer. This increase in size will not affect the car's weight, as it will basically remain the same.

For engines, the next 5 Series will use a 2.5l straight six as an entry level choice, with the top of the range version rumored to be the 4.4l turbocharged V8. As a novelty, a BMW insider hinted two months back that the next 5er, which will become a center piece for BMW's EfficientDynamics development plans, will possibly use the ActiveHybrid technology recently deployed on the X6 and the 7 Series.

An M version will also see daylight, with a rumored 4.4l unit (the one from the X5M and X6M) as the lucky candidate. It develops 555 horsepower and 680 Nm and will become quite a frightening appearance on the M5, if the rumors turn out to be true.

Otherwise, most of the advancements seen today on the latest 7 Series will find their way into the 5 Series: Integral Active Steering, Dynamic Drive, Dynamic Damping Control, Night Vision System, Lane Warning, and cruise control with Stop and Go function.