[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW 5 Series LCI Facelift Spied Again and First Look at Plug-in Hybrid F10

50
COMMENTS

Tweet

We've spied the upcoming LCI facelift updated 5 Series again, and the sighting comes on the first Plug-in Hybrid 5 Series we've spotted. The LCI update will facelift the entire 5 Series lineup, including the F10 sedan, F11 touring, F07 GT, and the F10 M5, although the styling updates do not look to be too drastic.

Also see: Previous F10 5 Series LCI Spy Photos


EXTERIOR

The F10 LCI prototypes spotted thus far have shown slightly sportier side mirrors, with integrated turn signals (still camouflaged on previous prototypes seen). Some LCI prototypes have been spotted with a new optional LED headlights option with squared off angel eyes/corona rings. The standard xenon lights (as spotted on this prototype) will retain circular angel eyes. The tail light graphics will receive a new look.

The front and rear bumpers will also receive styling updates. We can already make out one of the biggest styling changes in the front fascia - a new character line appears between the upper part of the kidney grilles and the area right above the headlights, which should give the headlight/grille area a more aggressive look. The M Sport package aero parts should also receive a slight refresh, as well as the F10's optional M Performance accessories parts.

POWERTRAIN

The updated F10 5 Series will cure one of the F10's main complaints - poor steering. The F10's steering is being re-engineered to be more communicative. The changes will also apply to the touring and GT models.

The 535i models may receive the inline turbo 6 cylinder engine which will replace the current N55 and is expected to debut in the F32 4 Series Coupe. Expect the 550i models to be powered by the uprated V8 N63Tu (the update to the N63 engine) which recently appeared in the F07 550i GT and is good for +45hp / +30 lb-ft torque over the N63 engine.

PLUG-IN HYBRID

This sighting represents our first look at a plug-in hybrid 5 Series prototype. Back in 2011, BMW unveiled a F10 plug-in hybrid prototype at the Shanghai Auto Show. It was slated for production in 2013 and only for the Chinese market. Whether it's offered for the rest of the world at some point remains to be seen.

Plug-in hybrids work in a similar way to the standard hybrid vehicle. They are also fitted with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. But, unlike standard hybrid cars, plug-in hybrids derive most of their power from the electric motor, which acts as primary, while the internal combustion engine acts as back-up. The plug-in hybrid requires a power outlet to get the battery charged to full capacity. Still, as the battery gets low on power, the internal combustion engine kicks in and takes over, at the same time recharging the battery. When the battery is depleted, the plug-in hybrid starts acting as a regular hybrid, with the combustion engine taking the role of primary power source.

TIMING

We have information which shows production for the F10 LCI as beginning in July 2013, with deliveries starting in August/September of 2013.

F10 M5

The F10 M5 should see the same lighting updates (headlights, tail lights, and perhaps integrated turn signal in its mirror), and potentially the new character line between the grilles and headlights as well, but we expect it to retain its current front and rear bumper designs. Overall, the F10 M5 should receive minimal exterior updates. Whether the M5 gets the updates at the same time as the 5 Series, we do not yet know.

F10 LCI Facelift

Share this story

OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE

BMW 5 Series LCI Facelift Now Seen on F11 Touring

Closer Look at F10 LCI Reveals New Squared DRL Corona Ring Lights

F10 5 Series and M5 LCI Facelift Production Starts July 2013. First Spy Pics Are In.

[smashhell]

Can't wait to see it.
Hope the changes won't be as wont be as bad as the E class.
That redesign looks horrible.

[omaralt]

i'm mostly interested in this fix for the poor steering.. is this something that is software based that can be updated on the pre-LCI cars? i really hope so

[JK479]

Thanks Jason for the new thread.

I think this LCI is going to freshen up the look, and my hope is retain the natural character and emotion that the car gave the public in 2010.

When it first debuted, we thought it was a winner. Imagine this 2014 just refining the car, not re-inventing the look. I have a feeling better seats, steering wheel on the base car would go a long way with sales.

The handling can always be improved. If they do dial in more sport to the car, its a win win for the brand.

[remmib]

No sight of the LCI m-sport yet?

[ALPINA B5]

I wonder how are they gonna improve on greatness.

[宝马.e90]

Originally Posted by ALPINA B5

I wonder how are they gonna improve on greatness.

Aesthetically, can't really improve on it. I still think the F10 is the best looking in the class.

Mechanically, I'm sure there are a few things to fix, mainly the steering system for those who have test driven the F10 and believe it's too soft or whatever.

[ALPINA B5]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

Aesthetically, can't really improve on it. I still think the F10 is the best looking in the class.

Mechanically, I'm sure there are a few things to fix, mainly the steering system for those who have test driven the F10 and believe it's too soft or whatever.

would be interesting to see how they can further improve on the electrical steering. Maybe they would also introduce pipe in sounds for the N20's

[SamS]

A plugin hybrid option means that will likely trickle to the 3er as well. Very interesting!

[jdong]

Originally Posted by SamS

A plugin hybrid option means that will likely trickle to the 3er as well. Very interesting!

Indeed. FWIW given the tailpipe configuration, I'm expecting the plugin hybrid to be N26 based. Which will be great if it can reach AT-PZEV and qualify for CA carpool lane access.

A PHEV will have to have a much larger electric motor compared to the ActiveHybrid if it's to stand any chance of giving a BMW experience while on electric power. This should bridge the N20 vs N55 performance gap.

[bimmerjph]

You say plug in hybrid. I say more weight.

Once again I am going to praise BMW for not letting ego get in the way of acknowledging that the F10's steering is not good.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by jdong

Indeed. FWIW given the tailpipe configuration, I'm expecting the plugin hybrid to be N26 based. Which will be great if it can reach AT-PZEV and qualify for CA carpool lane access.

A PHEV will have to have a much larger electric motor compared to the ActiveHybrid if it's to stand any chance of giving a BMW experience while on electric power. This should bridge the N20 vs N55 performance gap.

That sounds awesome. And a plugin hybrid for MY2014 F10 and (maybe) MY2015 F30h would be a great lead-in to the i3 coming in about a year.

[Rich@GTBPerformance]

Is it just the Camo, or does that Grill look enormous?

[jdong]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

You say plug in hybrid. I say more weight.

Once again I am going to praise BMW for not letting ego get in the way of acknowledging that the F10's steering is not good.

This will be greatly appreciated by the Californian market where electric cars already have a fairly good uptake, and getting into the carpool lane is a big deal. I'd expect a plugin 5 series to still beat its "competition" (e.g. Prius and C-Max Energi) in sportiness

[mryakanisachoad]

Certainly nothing worth holding up an order.

The only interesting reveal is confirmation of what we all pretty much know. That BMW fibs, fudges and lies about horsepower outputs since they reintroduced turbocharging.

Terry Burger finally put a stock N63 on his dyno and it was producing more horsepower and torque than advertised. I trust his numbers because of his extensive work on the n54 and n55.

This goes back to 2006/07 when BMW gave the new 335i sedan to Car and Driver for the time and they were pulling sub 4.5 second 0-60 times so they decided to put the car on a dyno and discovered she was making 40+ more horsepower than advertised.

The automotive press concluded that BMW didn't want to poach into their M line.

[luvthestck]

It might be worth the wait of they can really fix that steering.

[mryakanisachoad]

Originally Posted by luvthestck

It might be worth the wait of they can really fix that steering.

I'm getting an xi.

Best value option in the history of BMW! Lol

[ks1117]

I just got my 5 not long ago, hope there won't be much diff for the facelift.

[misterbeemer]

I hope they add the fake sounds through the speakers so it sounds like a V12 engine.

[mryakanisachoad]

Originally Posted by misterbeemer

I hope they add the fake sounds through the speakers so it sounds like a V12 engine.

lulzzz

[Badger]

Maybe it's just an impression (still too much camo), but it seems that there is much darker inside the xenon headlights than in current F10 (black instead of grey?)

[uhn2000]

This car is a winner for BMW - I don't see a ton of changes happening. Some slight touch ups here and there. I wonder if the M5 will get any upgrades like seats, steering wheel, etc.