Images detailing the next-gen 5-series in its M-Sport trim have been leaked online ahead of the new car’s international debut on October 13, 2016.

As per the images, the new car borrows styling cues from the larger 7-series while the overall design is evolutionary in nature with tauter surfacing and more finely honed creases. The aggressive bumpers and alloy-wheel design shown will likely be specific to the M-Sport variant.

Inside, the dashboard design has also been brought in line with the new 7-series with similar control surfaces, an all-digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen iDrive display which will get features such as a ‘pinch to zoom’ function for the Satellite navigation function.

The new 5-seires will be underpinned by BMW’s new CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform and will be larger and lighter than its predecessor. The new architecture uses a higher percentage of aluminium in its construction as compared to the current model and will bring weight down by as much as 100kg despite the increase in dimensions.

The engine line-up for the new 5-series will largely mirror that of the outgoing model. It will offer BMW’s latest generation four cylinder, six-cylinder and V8 petrol units alongside four-cylinder and six-cylinder diesels, including an updated quad-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel for a 550d M Performance model. At the top of the range will be a new M5 with a lightly revised version of the outgoing model’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine developing 600hp.

The engines will be paired to either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with select variants – including the M5 – getting all-wheel drive as an option in some markets.

The new BMW 5-series will come to India sometime next year. As far as the rivals go, the all-new BMW 5-series is a bit late to join the party globally and in India where it will face stiff competition from direct rivals like the all-new Mercedes E-Class sedan, the recently launched Jaguar XF and the upcoming Volvo S90 sedan.  Audi will however, bring in the all-new A6 sedan in the near future which will get styling inspired from the Prolouge concept showcased earlier.

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