MUNICH, Germany — The Olympic stadium in Munich provided the stage today as the all-new 2011 BMW 5 Series was presented to an audience of BMW executives and employees while the event was broadcast across Europe. Surprisingly the larger, more luxurious 2011 BMW 5 Series resembles the BMW 7 Series rather than the familiar sports sedan of the past.
In a presentation that combined the elements of pageant and business meeting, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, paid tribute to the importance of the 2011 BMW 5 Series to his company, as it represents the sixth generation of a nameplate that has sold more than 5.5 million examples over the years.
The new car is larger and more luxurious than the car it replaces, notably in its longer, 116.9-inch wheelbase, a stretch of 3.2 inches. The 2011 BMW 550i measures 192.9 inches from tip to tail (2.3 inches longer), 73.2 inches wide (0.5 inches wider) and 57.6 inches high (0.2 inches shorter). The new 550i also weighs 4,035 pounds, some 375 pounds more than before.
The new chassis is a derivative of the 7 Series platform, and it features both a double-wishbone front suspension with cast-aluminum control arms as well as BMW's Integral-V multilink rear suspension, which is compatible with all-wheel drive. Electronic-assist power steering is standard equipment across all 5 Series variants.
The 2011 BMW 5 Series sedan also looks like the 7 Series thanks to its new sculpted hood and its twin, forward-leaning kidney-shape grilles. Meanwhile a low, sleek coupe-style roof has been adapted to the faintly wedge-shaped car, and the traditional Hofmeister Kick at the bottom of the C-pillar, a signature of BMW design, is much more compact than ever before.
In Europe, the full range of BMW 5 Series sedans will include seven different powertrain choices — one V8, three inline-6s, two inline-6 diesels and one inline-4 diesel. The U.S. models will likely feature the 407-horsepower, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, 306-hp, single-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6, 258-hp 3.0-liter inline-6 and 245-hp, turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline-6 diesel. BMW's new eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard equipment for the V8-powered 2011 BMW 550i and optional for all other models.
Within the passenger cabin, the cockpit-style architecture has been maintained but it's interpreted with a greater sense of luxury. For European models, there are three different upholstery choices (in five colors each), three interior colors and five levels of interior trim. Just like the 7 Series, the new 5 Series is available with a wide array of safety and convenience features, and it introduces to the BMW line features like active cruise control, automated parking assistant, collision warning with brake activation, and surround-view back-up camera.
The premiere of the 2011 BMW 5 Series sedan also supported BMW's ongoing promotion of Munich as the site of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. The winning bid will be announced on July 6, 2011 at the International Olympic Committee's meeting in Durban, South Africa.
Inside Line says: The 2011 BMW 5 series is a far more sophisticated and refined car than before, but we'll have to see if it can maintain the car's sporting reputation. — Michael Jordan, Executive Editor
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roar02ram says:
05:08 PM, 11/23/2009
I LOVED the '96-'03 5, and I find this car reminiscent of that one. The problem with that, though, is that it seems as though this car should've succeeded the '96-'03 5, not the '04-'09, which makes this one seem a bit...dated?...from day one. Also, I'm a bit concerned about the length of the nose; it seems a smidge out of proportion, Z4-syle.
All things considered, though, this thing looks like it has the right combination of features to easily become the new class leader, which is something that could never be said of its predecessor.
fixxxer says:
02:15 PM, 11/23/2009
Seems like BMW is making the jump for the 5 series to be more like the 7 series, while the 7 has become a hyper Luxo-Barge
I can only imagine that the next 3 series is going to be more like an old 5 series, and the 1 series is going to take the place of the 3 series
bmwm30b30 says:
01:26 PM, 11/23/2009
I want to see actual photos not computer images..I think it looks great though. As a BMW enthusiast im a little mad at the fact the weight increased..and its not 375 lbs heavier either only 67lbs heavier for the automatic tranny, ACCORDING TO BMWUSA.COM. It is not a big jump considering HP and TQ are up a significant amount. Cant wait to see it dance around the Audi a6 and Merc e550. Where is the M5!!!!??
chavis10 says:
12:34 PM, 11/23/2009
So basically BMW built a short wheelbase 7 and now calls it the 5 series. I like the old versions of the 5 and 7 better. So what you will, but now this car is a 7 underneath so weight will probably jump up accordingly.
luxurycarlover says:
11:52 AM, 11/23/2009
looks SO good