The current F10 5 Series just arrived on the market in March 2010, but work has already started at BMW for the next generation 5 Series, which should come as a 2017 model.
According to BMW insider Scott26:
The next generation 5er is as I understand going through the motions of design process at the moment so they cannot give a concrete conclusion as we are still some time off from final design freeze , or the final car that will be chosen for production.
Of course design is very much influenced by BMW’s latest sculptural approach as demonstrated on the Vision Connected Drive concept car which is a preview to the progression of the current cars that began with the BMW 7er in 2008.
What is … CONTINUED
Alpina recently debuted at the Geneva auto show, the improved BMW Alpina B5 Biturbo with 540 HP. We’ve reposted below the B5’s official specs and information, as well as a gallery from the Geneva show. Alpina has just released the following official video promo for the B5. Unfortunately, the B5 is not available in North America currently.
A great set of real life comparison photos between the F30 and F10, by Paul Tan.
Although the general styling of the newest 3 series and 5 series is now more consistent and shares more styling cues than the previous generation E90 and E60, there are still significant differences (in particular the front end) between the two designs as these photos highlight.
Here’s the tale of the tape for the F30 and F10:
F30
Height - 56.3 in
Length - 182.5 in
Width - 71.3 in
Wheelbase - 110.6 in
F10
Height - 57.6 in
Length - 192.8 in
Width - 73.2 in
Wheelbase - 116.8
Watch the new turbo 4 cylinder 528i take on the old 6 cylinder 528i in a head to head race and dyno, conducted by Classic BMW.
The 2012 528i features the N20 turbo 4 cylinder engine which is quoted at 240hp/260lb-ft torque, 0-60 in factory quoted 6.2sec and is 15% more fuel efficient.
The previous F10 528i was powered by the N52 6 cylinder engine which had 240hp/230lb-ft torque and ran from 0-60 in factory quoted 6.6sec. And although the two engines are factory rated at the same 240hp, on this particular dyno, the N20 engine vastly outpowered the N52 engine - 240hp vs. 208hp at the crank.
The result seen here is obvious based on the factory quoted numbers alone, but seeing a visual of the speed/acceleration difference … CONTINUED
Our Hong Kong F10 owners/members met this past weekend and have shared some of their photos with us. Check out some tastefully modified F10 5 series inside.
5POST member delvek reviews his Hartge ECU remap for the 550i, which he had performed on site at Hartge’s facilities. Hartge’s official stats for their 550i ECU is 360 kW (490 hp) / 5500 rpm 720 Nm (lb-ft 531) / 6400 rpm.
The results? The Hartge engineers were able to record a 80kmh (50mph) to 180kmh (110mph) run in just 7.2 seconds. Delvek’s previously stock 550i took 11.4 seconds to reach the same speed!
Vorsteiner has released its full tuning kit and program for the F10 5-series, which they’ve dubbed the VMS-F10.
The kit details are as follows:
VMS Front Spoiler
The newly designed VMS front spoiler has been specifically designed to fit F10 5 series vehicles with the optional M Tech package. The front spoiler not only creates a purposeful and functional balance to the front end but is also unmistakably beautiful and precise.
VMS Rear Spoiler
The VMS rear add on carbon deck lid spoiler balances the additional down force created from the new front end and also elegantly extends the tail of the factory boot lid to distinguish the vehicle from other standard production cars. The VMS rear deck lid spoiler is compatible with … CONTINUED
Germany based Prior Design has released its F10 5 Series aerodynamic kit. The entire F10 kit includes:
Package includes:
- Prior-Design PD front add-on spoiler (fits all bmw 5-Series F10 standard models except M5 and models with original M-Sport Package installed)
- Prior-Design PD side skirts (fits all bmw 5-Series F10 models)
- Prior-Design PD rear add-on spoiler (diffusor) (fits all bmw 5-Series F10 standard models except M5)
- Mounting material
- ***for EXPORT (outside of German) only!
The BMW 5 Series will turn the big 30 this year and BMW has a special edition F10 to mark the occassion. The 528i 30th Anniversary Edition has just gone on sale in Japan.
Only 200 of these 528i 30th Anniversary Edition F10s will come off the line. It’s powered by BMW’s inline 6 3.0L motor (not the 4 cylinder turbo N20 motor).
This deep sea blue metallic 528i is packaged with the M sport package, BMW Individual aluminum window trim, Veneto Beige dakota leather, Satin Walnut Wood Fine Honey Brown Individual trim , door sill plates engraved with the 30th anniversary logo, head-up display, and premium audio system (600W 16 speaker 5.1 surround).
The price for the Japanese? 7,890,000 yen (USD $103,400 equivalent).
