An alert Edmunds employee caught this 2011 BMW 5 Series prototype on the streets of L.A. recently. Like most of the 5 Series prototypes we've seen before, this car was covered nose to tail in camouflage so there's not much to see.
If anything, these shots give some impression of the car's overall size and stance thanks to the various cars surrounding the prototype. We're not expecting anything dramatic with this new 5 Series, so the fact that it blended in quite easily is no surprise.
With the horsepower wars seemingly coming to an end, this could be one of BMW's most concerted efforts yet to show off its much talked about "Efficient Dynamics" idea. Don't expect to see a two-mode hybrid drivetrain in this car, but we've heard rumors of a few other groundbreaking technologies that could make their world debut in this upcoming sedan. Expect to see an official debut sometime in 2010.
kellycm2 says:
09:17 AM, 01/22/09
In the first picture, is the car in front not the same car without camo? If not, it is a new 7 and looks almost identical.
rick8365 says:
09:53 AM, 01/22/09
I want to know what the "alert Edmunds Employee" was driving when these pictures were taken....
sparker1225 says:
10:07 AM, 01/22/09
How do you know it's a 5series prototype? It seems to me it looks more like another 7series disguised, possibly with hybrid or awd drive-train?
flicmod says:
10:29 AM, 01/22/09
Looks small to be a 7 series. The 7 is a HUGE car. Stand next to one sometime. This definitely looks closer to 5 series size.
DLu says:
10:41 AM, 01/22/09
kellycm2 has a good point. at first i thought it was a Lexus ES, but the rectangular tailpipe was definitely different. if that's the case, then it looks pretty frumpy (no offense to Lexus owners, but Lexus did not make its name in the "sport" category).
mbtech208 says:
10:42 AM, 01/22/09
I agree with Rick. Judging by the shape of the front fender, the photographer's car look much more interesting than the vinyl-clad Bimmer.
mtakahashi says:
11:04 AM, 01/22/09
rick8365/mbtech208, I shot these on my way into the office (apologies for the iPhone quality images). The car in question (my occasional commuter) is a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, originally bought by my grandfather.
On a side note, the driver of the pictured test mule REALLY didn't want me snapping photos and attempted to thwart my attempts by remaining in motion (creeping up instead of coming to a complete stop), repelling me with the use of his windshield sprayers, and generally trying to evade me. In a strange twist of irony, L.A. traffic saved the day.
iancar says:
11:31 AM, 01/22/09
Back to Russian dolls design?
adavis2493 says:
11:44 AM, 01/22/09
Wow. If they put that back that was on the previous Gen 7-Series, I will not be happy. Maybe they should work on safety, the current 5's side impact results are not too good...
adavis2493 says:
11:45 AM, 01/22/09
Wow. If they put that back that was on the previous Gen 7-Series, I will not be happy. Maybe they should work on safety, the current 5's side impact results are not too good...
mustang5507 says:
12:22 PM, 01/22/09
In the first pic, the car in front is indeed a new 7 series.
rick8365 says:
01:37 PM, 01/22/09
'57 T-Bird....one that's been in the family since your grandfather bought it....very cool.
Thanks for the clarification, mtaka.
hondacura4 says:
07:46 PM, 01/22/09
The 7 is already on the market. If anyone paid attention (mustang5507 did) its evident that a new 7 is in front of the 5 in the picture above. This is indeed a 5. Im awaiting the new M5 as Im anxious to see what BMWs performance targets are. A world class battle between the monster CTS-V, new (twin turbo?)V10 M5 and the new E-AMG awaits.
rdelisa says:
11:31 AM, 01/23/09
I'd be happy with one of these:
http://productreviewratings.com/2009/01/2007-bmw-used-auto-review/
"He's got a BMW. Why don't I have a BMW"?