German Car Zone

Could be a repost, don't know:









http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-...our-de-France/

Nice but I think we've already seen much more of the car than in those pics.

Yep we do…this car will be stunning and a great competitor to the W212 again.

Even when wearing heavy cladding the F10 looks like it has terrific proportions.

Should be a looker, and I believe I read here recently not larger than the e60 which would be very good news.

^ True. Something like 2 cm max or so bigger. I read that too. That means the current Audi A6 is still bigger than the new F10. Which is very good. BMW didn't cave in and make it as big as the competition, they now have 5er GT for that.

Hopefully they can keep the weight down.

I hope so too. The F01 weighs less than the E66 (roughly the same size, comparable equipment level)

Also, remember this:

• BMW produces lighter, stronger parts
  
  
  Gerhard Mauerer
  Automotive News
  July 13, 2009 - 12:26 pm ET
  
  
  DINGOLFING -- In the midst of the financial crisis, BMW is spending 50 million euros ($69.7 million) on an innovative press hardening facility at its Dingolfing plant.
  
  In all, the premium automaker plans to invest several hundred million euros in the plant in 2009 and 2010."Anyone who saves money in the wrong area in tough times is putting his competitiveness at risk over the long-term," said Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW's production chief. "And I doubt that you can survive that way in the long run."
  
  During "cutthroat competition," innovative technologies are more important than ever, he said.
  BMW will make high strength body parts such as chassis beams and side skirts with the new press hardening process.
  
  Saving pounds
  It will be the first use of press hardening technology in the auto industry anywhere in the world, BMW said. It makes it possible to construct high-strength components at lower weights.
  The new process cuts vehicle weight by almost 51 pounds. This in turn shrinks fuel consumption by up to 0.1 liter per 100 kilometers driven, or just under half a cup of gasoline for every 62 miles.
  
  The new facility thus contributes to BMW's "efficient dynamics" program, an effort to improve vehicle performance along a range of fronts.
  
  The 5 Series Gran Turismo will be the first model using these components. Over the next three years, eight more new BMW models will incorporate components from the facility.
  The Dingolfing press facility will supply BMW's factory network worldwide.
  
  Hot to cold
  In the new press process, galvanized sheet steel is pressed cold before being heated to 1,670 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, still glowing red, it is placed in the new press equipment, which cools it down to 158 degrees Fahrenheit, hardening it in the process.
  
  Despite lower weight, its strength is three to four times as great as untreated sheet steel.
  The use of galvanized sheet steel also guarantees a high level of rust protection.
  The process was developed with the steel technology company Voestalpine Polynorm.
  BMW is putting a second press hardening facility into operation in late 2009.
  At that point, up to 100 workers will work at both facilities in a three-shift operation.
  

Our new hardening process has seen to this and you will see the results in the first actual drives of the 5er GT. You would be pleased to know that the new F10 in benchmarking not only outdrives the current E60 but also the class champion the XF is in for a shock as is the E-Klasse which is mainly about other atributes rather than driving pleasure anyway. and the numbness of the Audi A6 but we knew that already.

This is a big launch for BMW and the allocated budget reflects BMW's commitment to the F10.

I would certainly hope that it outdrives the e60.

I for one am much more interested in what resources they allocated in design and development rather than how aggressive their launch budget is.

In any event, from what I can see, the styling is very encouraging.

Driving around in an E60 last week, I REALLY hope the interior materials step it up a bit with this one. I know it's always been M-B = More Luxury/Refinement, and BMW = Drivers Car, but if the F10 can nail the interior down, it'll about out-everything the W212.