The BMW 5-Series is one of those executive sedans that has become the "go to" choice for those who have "made it." Over time we've seen it grow up and become the monumental product it is today.
And though we just saw it get a refresh for the 2014 model year, it appears that the Bavarians are starting fresh right now with the seventh-generation product starting development. Though there isn't much to see from the spy shots — the mule is wearing the current 5'ers skin — there is much to talk about what BMW's plans are for the next-gen auto.
Of course at the top of the list is weight saving materials. According to Autocar, BMW is aiming to shed approximately 220 pounds in an effort to increase fuel efficiency and performance. In addition, word on the street suggests that BMW will not be equipping the 5-Series with a V8 powerplant. Instead it will stick to four-cylinders and six-cylinder motors.
...Clothed in the same body as today’s model, the new 5-series prototype caught here doesn’t provide many clues to the appearance of the new model, which has been styled under the guise of BMW design boss Karim Habib.
However, an evolutionary approach looks set to keep it close to its predecessor in size. The new 5-series will be about 4910mm long, 1875mm wide and 1470mm tall. As with today’s 5-series, the new model will be sold in three body styles: saloon, Touring and Gran Turismo liftback...
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