[Mii]

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...series-touring

With the 2009 Audi A6 facelift and the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class already in showrooms, attention now turns to the next-generation BMW 5-Series. A class leader since its inception, the 5-series Sedan and Touring wagon remain crucial vehicles in BMW’s lineup and with the next-gen versions now just months away from launch speculation about their final design has been heating up.

The new 5-Series Touring is expected to arrive 12 months after the reveal of the Sedan, which is making its world debut at March's 2010 Geneva Motor Show, and these latest spy shots give us a glimpse of how it will look. Most of the planned changes for the 2011 BMW 5-Series will be skin-deep.

Under the new sheet metal, BMW will continue with its new found love of turbocharging. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 from the X6 and new 5-Series GT is expected to appear in a range topping model, while more turbodiesel variants are expected to join the lineup as well. BMW is also expected to launch two hybrid versions: a ‘mild’ hybrid gasoline-electric version similar to the recently revealed ActiveHybrid 7 as well as a diesel-electric version.

The transmission systems will include a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed Steptronic semi-auto gearbox, however a new 8-speed unit from ZF is also expected to be available. New EfficientDynamics technologies will also be available, such as specially designed aerodynamic wheels and brake-energy regeneration systems.

Performance will also be improved thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials including carbon-fiber and aluminum. The car’s construction will be a mix of an aluminum spaceframe for the front section and a traditional steel monocoque for the passenger compartment and rear. This will ensure a favorable front-to-rear weight distribution and improved handling. Up front will be an independent suspension with MacPherson struts, with a multi-link layout for the rear. High-performance models, such as the next M5, will possibly include carbon-fiber body panels to shed even more weight.