5Series

First Drive: 2011 BMW 535i sedan, Returning to its Design Roots

2011 BMW 5 series sedan - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's no small matter when the time comes for an automaker to replace one of its top selling models and BMW is no exception. For the Munich based automaker the mid-size 5 series is second only to the compact 3 series in sales volume so they can't afford to mess it up. The 5 series competes in one of the most sought after segments for premium cars, going up against the likes of the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-class, Jaguar XF and Cadillac CTS.

In the coming months an all-new 5 series sedan will go on sale around the world. Before that happens, BMW invited automotive media from around the world to Portugal to spend a couple of days sampling the new sedan. We drove the 5 on the roads south and west of Lisbon as well as on the Estoril race track that formerly hosted the Portugese Grand Prix. Follow the jump for our driving impressions.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 BMW 535i

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BMW Launches All-New 5 Series Luxury Sedan

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

BMW has finally taken the wraps off its brand-new 5 Series sedan, culminating months of anticipation for the Bavarian automaker's mid-range luxury saloon. The styling takes its cues from the new 7 Series and the recently launched 5 Series Gran Turismo, ending years of controversial styling ad replacing it with a more dynamic shape.

The new 5 is being offered in the North American market with a choice of two turbocharged engines: an all-new 300-horsepower twin-scroll 3.5-liter inline six for the 535i, and a 400hp twin-turbo direct-injection V8 in the 550i. Both are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and benefit from F1-derived regenerative braking for improved economy and optional four-wheel active steering. Additional engines – including diesels and more compact gasoline engines – are also available in overseas markets, with more powertrain options expected to join in the future, including hybrids and a new M5 performance model.

It's a pivotal product for BMW, and features a state-of-the-art cabin with all the luxury amenities you could expect from a luxury sedan. Browse through our high-resolution gallery below for a closer look, or follow the link to our sister-site Autoblog for a more in-depth analysis.

Gallery: 2011 BMW 5 Series

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Tags: 5 series, 5-series, 5Series, bmw, bmw 5 series, bmw 5-series, bmw 535i, bmw 550i, Bmw5-series, Bmw535i, Bmw550i, Bmw5Series

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

German automakers have elevated the crossing of traditional market segments into an art form, BMW arguably chief among them. Joining the X6 – a sort of cross between a sport-utility vehicle and a sports coupe – is the new 5 Series Gran Turismo, revealed in production trim to the public at the Frankfurt auto show.

Combining what BMW claims is the head room of the X5 and the legroom of the 7 Series in a more compact form, the 5 Series GT bridges the gap between a tall wagon and a short sport-ute. A strange concept, to be sure, but one which BMW appears to have pulled off with aplomb. Available with a range of engines starting with a 245hp diesel and topping out at the 407hp twin-turbo V8, the Gran Turismo is slated to replace the 5 Series Touring wagon variant in the American market in the near future, but you can see it now in our high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

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Rimowa: Luxury Cars Have Needs, Too!

by Anne Metz (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Rimowa cases --the Cristal of luggage -- have more than 100 years of experience under their belts. Now that they've figured out that if you make high-dollar luggage, you should do it for high-dollar customers and their high-dollar cars.

To this end, Rimowa is now pimping made-to-measure car luggage sets. The cars they're targeting? BMW (5 series and 7 series), Audi (A6 and A8), and Mercedes (E and S class).

The company claims that "each of the exclusive sets is perfectly tailored to the standard empty car boot of these models" ("boot" here clearly being an expensive way to say "trunk").

To which I say: '89 Tercel drivers, are you going to take this?!

[Image Rimowa]

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Tags: 5 series, 5Series, 7 series, 7Series, A6, A8, Audi, BMW, Cristal, E Class, EClass, Mercedes, Rimowa, S Class, SClass, Tercel