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Article from Autoblog-

The 5 Series is an important model for BMW, particularly in North America where it's the brand's second best seller behind the 3 Series. Heading into 2010, BMW has expanded its mid-size line with the new Gran Turismo body style already on sale. However, the volume leader for the 5 Series is the four-door sedan, which officially debuts today. The 2011 model transitions to a new platform architecture shared with the latest 7 Series as well as the upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost. The 5 Series sedan gets a four-inch shorter wheelbase than its siblings, but at 116.9 inches, it still stretches well past its competition. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class runs a mere 113.1 inches between its axles and the Cadillac CTS is 113.4 inches.

From a technical perspective, the new 5 Series picks up much of what can be found in the 7 Series and the Gran Turismo.



Since the 5 Series now shares its platform with the 7 Series and GT, the suspension is essentially carried over from the other two with multi-link arrangements at all four corners, dispensing with the struts of the five previous generations. The outgoing E60 5 Series marked the debut of active front steering for BMW with a steering ratio that varied based on vehicle conditions such as speed and lateral acceleration. The new F10 (BMW's internal nomenclature for the latest 5 Series) adds to that electric power steering assist, which should help reduce parasitic power loss and improve efficiency. How it impacts steering feel remains to be seen, although the 7 Series felt quite good for such a large car when we tested it earlier this year.

The F10 also picks up features like optional active rear-wheel steering, which countersteers the rear wheels for a tighter turning circle while using in-phase steering at speed for extra stability. Other options include an adaptive damping system and active roll control to further minimize lean during cornering.



Inside, the new 5 Series also picks up themes from the GT and 7 Series with a return to an instrument panel layout where the center stack is tilted toward the driver for improved ergonomics. While BMW gave the Gran Turismo an elevated seating position for that "command view," the 5 Series retains a lower position more typical of sedans. Barely a year after introducing its third generation of iDrive in the 3 Series and 7 Series, the new 5 Series gets what BMW is describing as generation four. It's not clear at this point how much better it is, but hopefully the system will have expanded voice controls to get deeper into the menus without having to use its control knob. All models get an LCD display in the dash to display audio and climate control information, while cars without the navigation system get a seven-inch display and those with get the gorgeous 10.2-inch panel from the 7 Series.

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Source:[Autoblog]