BMW Serie 5 F10 (2010-2017)

Tra le novità, una leggera riduzione di peso a fronte di un piccolo aumento di dimensioni (+10 mm in lunghezza, +18 mm nel passo, +4 mm in larghezza e -13 mm in altezza). Pare BMW riuscirà a ridurre lo sbalzo anteriore nonostante requisiti più severi nella protezione dei pedoni in caso di incidenti. Previsti anche miglioramenti della dinamica dell’assale posteriore e la disponibilità di sospensioni idrauliche.

Il range dei motori a benzina comprende: 520i, 2,5 litri, 218 cv; 525i, 3,0 litri, 238 HP; 530i/xi, 3,0 litri, 272 cv; 535i/xi, 3,0 litri biturbo, 306 cv; 540i, 4,8 litri, V8, 367 cv; 550i/xi, 4,4 litri V8 biturbo, 408 cv (!!!). Ovviamente, dati provvisori, che possono rapidamente essere rivisti verso l’alto se la concorrenza si permettesse di produrre motori con dati «troppo interessanti».

Passando ai diesel, troviamo: 520d, 2,0 litri, 175 cv; 525d, 2,5 litri, 204 cv; 530d/xd, 3,0 litri, 245 cv; 535d/xd, 3,0 litri, 300 cv.

Infine, la prossima M5, in arrivo nel 2010, dovrebbe crescere sia come cilindrata che come potenza.

Inside information leaked to CAR suggests that the flame surfaces, eagle-eye headlamps and eccentric cutlines of today’s BMWs won’t appear on the 5-series Mk6. The Munich mid-ranger will be a modern-looking and elegant car, wider, with a longer wheelbase and a more dynamic, ground-kissing stance.

The 5-series has BMW’s typical wheel at each corner-look, and the glasshouse looks more coupe-like. The rear end is currently looking a little too close to the Hyundai Sonata’s for comfort, however.

Under the skin
Despite being bigger, the base Five will weigh less than the outgoing model, thanks to the use of more exotic, lighter materials. But the rear-drive chassis can be loaded up with clever (and heavy) gadgets.

The 5-series will pioneer active rear suspension kinematics capable of coping with higher g-forces, stability-enhancing active yaw control and the next-generation electronic damper control (EDC) which acts on each wheel individually. Active steering and Dynamic Drive (adjustable anti-roll bars) are familiar options.

The base model will be shod with 17-inch wheels, with fatter 18 and 19in rims optional.

BMW hasn’t forgotten about environmental initiatives, though. The diesel engines should get urea injection – as Mercedes is pioneering – to cut nitrogen oxide emissions. A stop/start system and upshift indicator for six-speed manual versions will help reduce fuel consumption, and the engines should be biofuel- and synfuel-compatible. Brake energy-regeneration, in combination with adaptive alternator control, should also save up to 10 percent more fuel too.

The engine room
Model Engine
520i 218bhp 2.5-litre
525i 238bhp 3.0-litre
530i 272bhp 3.0-litre
535i 306bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbo
540i 367bhp 4.8-litre V8
550i 408bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
520d 175bhp 2.0-litre four
530d 204bhp 2.5-litre six
245bhp 3.0-litre six
535d 300bhp 3.0-litre six

The inside story
The new Five is longer and wider but sits lower than the current saloon. And with the longer wheelbase, there’s more room for rear passengers’ legs and heads.

Inside, BMW returns to the driver-oriented cockpit. The centre console is angled towards the person in charge, while the new X5’s handsome new joystick gear selector should figure. Instead of a conventional handbrake, F10 features an electro-hydraulic parking brake.

Major changes include a brand-new instrument panel with optional head-up display, improved iDrive with a more intuitive feel and a more logical menu structure. A new draught-free four-zone air conditioning system, dubbed Airwave, is standard on all models, sources say.