As the winter draws on, manufacturers continue testing their upcoming yet-to-be-launched cars in the harsh conditions, and with that come more spyshots. This time it’s the turn of the new G30 BMW 5 Series, which is set to make its world debut in July next year, with the Touring coming in later in November (the GT variant will live on thanks to strong demand in China, with a new generation arriving in 2017).
If the shape and proportions of the mule look rather similar to the current F10, that’s because the designers have reportedly taken a more evolutionary approach to the styling of the new 5er, mirroring its also upcoming G11 7 Series sibling. A few new cues from BMW’s latest design language should make it to the G30, however, such as kidney grilles that bleed into the headlights, as well as a new shape for the wing mirrors.
This particular prototype features a flap for a charging port on the left side, marking it out as a plug-in hybrid variant, rumoured to receive the eDrive moniker. Under the bonnet is said to be the new B47 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel mill hooked up to an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, making a combined 245 hp and 400 Nm.
Elsewhere, there will be an M550xd powered by a quad-turbo (Bugatti Veyron, anyone?) oil burner making around 408 hp and a colossal 750 Nm, as well as a 626 hp M5 with optional xDrive all-wheel drive. BMW’s new B48 2.0 litre petrol four-pot should also be included in the new range, while an uprated version of the 2 Series Active Tourer‘s tiny B38 1.5 litre three-pot is said to be on the cards for the entry-level variant.
Going hand-in-hand with the engine downsizing trend is a new carbon fibre, aluminium and steel construction (technology gained from the BMW i project) shaving an estimated 100 kg spec for spec over the F10. The lightweight body is part of a new “35up” rear-wheel drive platform underpinning everything from the next 3 Series up, which will first make its debut in the G11 7 Series.
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Habis la all the F10 in Malaysia. With this news, the car is going to freefall like mad. Be prepared to see an overnight loss of 30% with this news.
Poor F10 owners.
Did I read 3 Cylinder powerplant for the next 5 series?
Hmmmm……
Wow 100kg weight loss. Either the F10 is overweight or the G30 is a serious lightweight.
Good news for drivers though, less mass to push around should make it a lot nicer to drive.
Please change the car interior. it’s too boring!