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BMW 5-series (2010) photos and video of new F10

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

23 November 2009 19:00

>> Read our full three-page news story of the new 2010 BMW 5-series. There's video at the foot of this page, scroll through to p3 for audio clips of the new 5-series engineers and engines

The BMW 5-series saloon – it’s finally here. Internally dubbed F10, it's the sixth-generation BMW 5-series and will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in spring 2010, with UK sales starting on 20 March 2010. A 5-series Touring version (F11) will follow next September.

So what’s new for the sixth-generation BMW 5-series?

Let’s start with the tech: BMW claims the new 5-series is the first car in its class to feature start-stop tech, an eight-speed automatic transmission and double wishbone front suspension.

The new 5-series is also the first BMW to get the company's new Park Assist tech, slotting the car into a space by twiddling the wheel, leaving the driver to operate on the accelerator and brake pedals. A bit like a VW Touran, then.

Will the new 2010 Five still be the sporty choice of exec?

The double wishbone front suspension is mated to a rear multilink set-up, and BMW's optional Drive Dynamic Control chassis system offers Comfort, Sport and Sport+ damper settings. Four-wheel active steering can also be specced, along with a Surround View camera system, a head-up display, night vision with pedestrian recognition, lane departure and lane change warning systems, plus speed limit detection.

Unfortunately, start-stop tech is only available on the manual 520d, and won't be available on the new eight-speed auto until later. Although the electric power steering will reduce fuel consumption, we don't expect it to endow the new 5-series' steering with exceptional feel.

And whereas the current-gen Five features an aluminium front end mated to a steel rear, the new car is all steel. Nevertheless, BMW still claims the new car achieves a 50:50 weight distribution.

>> Click here for BMW's 5-series unveiling live video feed

>> Click 'Next' below to read more about the new 2010 BMW 5-series

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BMW 5-series (2010) photos and video of new F10

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timbo65 says

RE: BMW 5-series (2010) photos and video of new F10

this car is actually really growing on me. Wasn't sure about the rear clusters to start with but I really like them now.... Overall, utterly reserved & understated (just what we have come to expect from BMW) but with enough modern touches to give it some flair. I love the interior, but then I do like the modern BMW interiors, minimalist, clean surfaces with as little fuss as possible..... niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice

19 January 2010 20:28

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SnarkKiller says

RE: BMW 5-series (2010) photos and video of new F10

Well, I see worse looking cars out there every day; Bangle's old team seem to be moving swiftly to iron out all his unnecessary creases and awkward angles.

The dash treatment is still a convergence of unattracftive shapes and abutting angles, but the attempt to rid it of a million buttons is exemplary. Chauffeured in the rear of a big Merc from airport to hotel recently I counted 114 seperate switches, some scattered across the ceiling, as well as on every door, seat, and armrest. The quicker functions are reduced, or switches move over to one touch screens, the better.

09 January 2010 19:16

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joe-hxc says

RE: BMW 5-series (2010) photos and video of new F10

Brand0 Infact mercedes-benz started the i-drive/comand/MMi system craze with its preddorcessor to Comand. (which is infact spelt with just one m) . Anyway he hardly made the BMW range exiting did he ! When Topgear saw the 'new' 3-series they said it was boring and said that it looked like a car you would buy with no imagination. The 5-series was exiting in the same way that everyone goes omg what the hell when they see the ssangyong rodius. Yeah okay he changed things, but you cant say that someone else wouldnt have come along and done the same. Frankly i dont think he was that amazing.... :S

31 December 2009 11:42

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thelostcos says

RE: BMW 5-series (2010) photos and video of new F10

brand0, i could not agree more. i've been saying that since he arrived. love him or hate him, you have to respect him because he changed things forever. just look back at 90s car design and compare it to cars on sale today across the board, not on one specific company, and his influence is seen throughout. and it's not just about the creases he's influenced, he's influenced all car companies to need to have their own distinct design language regardless of whatever it is. every company today is so distinct and different from one another, and we have only one man to thank for that.

07 December 2009 13:09

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Brand0 says

RE: BMW 5-series (2010) photos and video of new F10

JOE-HXC - Forget about the Bangled BMW's. Look around - Fiesta, S-Class, Hyundai range, Insignia - these to name but a few. Very few car had more than a crease along the flanks until Bangle turned up. Then look at the modern in-car multimedia control - MMI? Command? Have we all forgotten who started the trend?

The motoring landscape would have been a lot more boring had Bangle not appeared, and website such as this would have had half the traffic. When we look back in 20 years time at the pivotal forces in car design were, people who do nothing but shine the box (Callum) will be forgotten, whilst those who took the box and made a sphere (or pigs ear, if you wish) will live long in the memory with Bertoni and Pininfarina for they brought something new.

04 December 2009 16:33

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