The 5 Series is an important model for BMW, particularly in North America where it's the brand's second best seller behind the 3 Series. Heading into 2010, BMW has expanded its mid-size line with the new Gran Turismo body style already on sale. However, the volume leader for the 5 Series is the four-door sedan, which officially debuts today. The 2011 model transitions to a new platform architecture shared with the latest 7 Series as well as the upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost. The 5 Series sedan gets a four-inch shorter wheelbase than its siblings, but at 116.9 inches, it still stretches well past its competition. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class runs a mere 113.1 inches between its axles and the Cadillac CTS is 113.4 inches.
From a technical perspective, the new 5 Series picks up much of what can be found in the 7 Series and the Gran Turismo. Read on after the jump to learn more about it...
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Given that BMW's middle name is Motoren, the heart of any Bimmer resides under the hood. In this case the U.S. version of the F10 5 Series will launch with two turbocharged engines. The 550i sedan gets the same marvelous 400-hp twin-turbocharged, direct-injected reverse flow V8 found in the X6, 750i and 550i Gran Turismo. Below that is a 300-hp turbocharged inline-six in the 535i.
However, the latter engine is not a carryover from the current 535i and 335i. The existing turbocharged inline six-cylinder uses two turbochargers feeding the front and rear halves of the engine and retains a throttle plate. This new engine keeps the same displacement and maximum output of 300 hp and 300 pound-feet, but uses only a single twin-scroll turbocharger and dispenses with the throttle in favor of the Valvetronic variable lift system to manage airflow into the engine. That makes it the first BMW turbo six with the Valvetronic system.
Both engines are paired with the same new eight-speed automatic transmission found in the Gran Turismo and the ActiveHybrid 7. The six-cylinder model is also available with a six-speed manual gearbox, a unique offering among its competitors in the U.S. market. Later in 2010, BMW will also add a normally aspirated version of the six with 240 hp.
The new 5 Series sedan will certainly spawn a new high-performance M5 version at some stage, although BMW is not giving any details at this time. In all likelihood, the days of the 5.0-liter V10 are over and
the M5 will get a version of the 550-hp twin-turbo V8 found in the X5 M and X6 M. On the more efficient side, we may get a diesel 535d at some point and almost assuredly a hybrid, probably with the mild hybrid system used in the ActiveHybrid 7. What we probably won't see again in the U.S. is the slow-selling Touring station wagon, which doesn't really have much reason to exist alongside the Gran Turismo.
