The latest issue of Germany’s AutoBild magazine features an artist’s rendering of the next-generation BMW 5-Series. We have yet to see the full report, so details on the alleged update remain scarce. AutoBild has very accurately predicted several future BMW models, and has also been off the mark a few times. The BMW 5-Series was last updated for the 2004 model year, so we wouldn’t expect a redesign until the 2009 model year at the earliest. That would mean the new car would arrive some time in 2008. However, if this update is considered a mere “facelift,” it could come sooner. Full cover scan after the jump with front and rear views…
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05/18, 8:59 AM
posted by:
Northeasterner
DEFINITELY NOT!!! I am surprised this is coming from AutoBild … but this thing is way off. They took a current 5 series, chopped X3’s lights onto it, gave it some messed up iteration of the twin-kidney grille and Lexus ES350 taillights. Poor job.
05/18, 9:04 AM
posted by:
Northeasterner
Oh and the front bumper and the hood came off a 3Series coupe.
05/18, 9:23 AM
posted by:
Tosta Mista
This facelift makes the 5-series look ugly, so that it’s on the same level of uglyness as the facelifted Mercedes E-class.
I hope BMW doesn’t mess it up as Mercedes did.
05/18, 9:43 AM
posted by:
mark
the rear lights are straight off the lexus GS
05/18, 9:46 AM
posted by:
Downshift
Whether or not the pictures accurately reflect BMW’s direction, there’s a lot to like.
The rendering gets rid of a lot of the fussiness where the side creases meet the head- and taillamps. It also tightens up what is in the current version a very flaccid lower body.
Yeah, the taillights are stolen from the ES350.
05/18, 10:39 AM
posted by:
Greg
I think front looks better.
Rear – I do not know anymore
05/18, 10:57 AM
posted by:
Asher
Basically, instead of the 5 looking like a big 3-series like it does now, this pic suggests it will now instead look like a slightly smaller 7…
05/18, 1:14 PM
posted by:
Matt
It looks like the a slightly modified 3-Series in the front and just ugly in the back.
05/18, 1:37 PM
posted by:
Stephen
Either way, it’s still damn ugly.
05/18, 3:01 PM
posted by:
Garris
Who knows… Spy photos have been predicting incorrectly for some time that BMW would go with the squared off, upticked side lamps of the X3 on other models. I tend to doubt it’ll be used here either…
While the rear is certainly keeping with the theme of the recent 7-series redo and the new 3 coupe, I tend to doubt they’ll go in this direction with the refresh.
With the exception of the recent 7, BMW refreshes tend to be fairly subtle. Look at the recent Z4 refresh, which was mostly detailing. Also, the 5 I think is selling quite well around the world and most reviewers say the look has grown on them, so I doubt they’ll change much in the ‘07-’08 refresh…
05/18, 3:09 PM
posted by:
Northeasterner
Oh come on people. This is some guy’s imagination (and photoshop skills), not BMW design direction. Not even worth discussing because these images mean NOTHING!
05/18, 3:12 PM
posted by:
Nick Orange County
DAMN!!! THE 5 HAS BEEN OUT THAT LONG ALREADY!?
05/18, 4:16 PM
posted by:
tc
UGLY. no other way to describe it =P
05/18, 4:19 PM
posted by:
James
OH GOD IT’S HIDEOUS!
BANKRUPTCY FOR BMW!
05/18, 7:03 PM
posted by:
BAMF
Will the next BMW 5-Series look like this?
No.
Especially not if they want to sell any.
05/18, 10:29 PM
posted by:
Adam Laniyan
I love the current 5, hopefully will be getting one before the summer run out or sometime next year, but if they update it to that uglyness in that picture I’d rather buy a COT DAMN PINTO!
05/19, 8:38 PM
posted by:
Tosta Mista
DOG-UGLY