first drive

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