Next-Generation BMW 5-Series Detailed and Spied

The seventh-generation BMW 5-Series expected to debut sometime in 2015 has been spied under heavy camouflage with a variety of details about the new German luxury car emerging.

From a design standpoint, we can expect to see quite a major overhaul for the 2016 BMW 5-Series. In fact, it will likely borrow a selection of styling traits from the BMW Gran Lusso Coupe Concept which debuted earlier this year. As a result, we can expect to see a much sleeker car likely combining more flowing lines. This new design won’t also impact the next-generation BMW 5-Series visually as the new car is expected to have a lower co-efficient of drag that the current 5-Series as well as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Just like the current model, the 2016 5-Series is expected to be offered in sedan, Touring and GT styles.

Another new feature of the next-gen 5-Series will be the new OKL platform it will share with future 6 and 7-Series BMWs. Additionally, this platform could be shared with the upcoming Bentley SUV as well as new X5, X6 and X7 SUV models for BMW. This platform is built from aluminium, steel and carbon fibre parts and will reduce the kerb weight of all future models set to utilise it, including the upcoming 2016 5-Series.

Under the hood, we can expect the new 5-Series to debut with a selection of four and six-cylinder engines both fuelled by petrol and diesel. Additionally, small three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are likely. We can also expect to see a new V8 engine developed as well as a ZF nine-speed automatic transmission.

[Via Autocar]