German Car Zone

With the big grille right??? I hope for a stronger character line down the side flanks and much better headlight design and shape... A more coupish shape aswell???

I hope this isnt' a repost but Autocar.co.uk has a little info on the new 5 Series. Could be right, could be wrong.
Autocar - Scoop: new BMW 5-series



The new 5-series will go on sale in March 2009, and is expected to draw heavily on the current model for its styling, resulting in an evolutionary design. A larger grille treatment and greater use of LEDs to give its lighting a more hi-tech and distinguished look.
The BMW is set to grow by 10mm to around 4849mm long, mostly through a stretch in the wheelbase.
In order to prevent weight gain and reduce emissions, BMW will use a developed version of the current model’s aluminium spaceframe front end mated to a steel rear.
The big news under the bonnet is the appearance of a new range-topping 4.4-litre V8 turbo with direct injection. It uses a similar twin-turbo system to BMW’s existing turbocharged 3.0-litre six for more than 400bhp.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz want to ensure that the 5-series and E-class remain at the forefront of safety. Added to the long list of features already found in today’s models will be blind-spot recognition and automatic lane-change detection systems.
Supporting such systems will be electrics capable of linking the systems in one network for faster reactions and a more reliable operation. BMW already has this with its FlexRay arrangement, as used on the X5.
The Efficient Dynamics technology already fitted to the 5-series will be a fundamental part of producing better economy and emissions, and the new model will also be available as a hybrid.
Expect BMW to rival Mercedes' target of 47mpg and 150g/km.

5er looks more promising with all that camo than 7er...

It gives you an idea of general shape and i like what i see so far...

I really, REALLY hope headlights will NOT look like that 'cause that would be step backwards!

And those headlights remind me on ugliest headlights in the whole BMW line-up... Those on X3!

Yes, yes, yes, and not really.

Regarding coupeish shape ... As I said earlier: do not expect CLS or XF shape. That's too much coupeish. But expect more coupes form in comparison to current 5er, and the direct rivals (new E-class & A6).

5er is staying a true executive sedan - and it can't afford to be too coupeish: since the LWB Chinese version. Mind that in China 5er (LWB) is (as well as a6 LWB) is a popular choice - so it has to have enough (head)room in the backseats.

From WCF:

God they suck at photoshops - they are just terrible

I like this better

I don't think the real thing will look anything like th two chops.. you can even tell that by the almost completely covered up test mules