Thanks to a new lightweight platform made from a combination of high-strength-steel, carbonfiber, aluminum and magnesium, the new BMW 5 Series is expected to shed around 100kg or 220lbs.

The reduced mass will not only help improve the executive saloon’s fuel-economy numbers and green credentials, but also handling and performance, which is a much welcome development after the current F10.

While heavily camouflaged, the prototype subtly hints at an evolutionary design approach with styling cues to be taken from the bigger 7-Series that will be revealed first, and which we’ve already had the opportunity to see undisguised. Overall, the new 5er looks like it will have a sleeker appearance with a flatter rear window and a sexier rear end than today’s model.

It will be packed with high-tech features and gadgets, highlighted by the latest connectivity systems that will allow the driver, among other things, to control various functions via apps on the go, and a radar-based semi-autonomous intelligent driving system dubbed ConnectedDrive Connect (CDC).

BMW‘s newest turbocharged, inline four- and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, together with a new V8 twin-turbo petrol for the 550i, will beat under the hood of the regular 5-Series models, with the Bavarians to offer a 6sp manual gearbox on certain powertrains, and an automatic, possibly a newer version with 9-speeds on the rest. All-wheel drive will be available once again.

For the eco-minded, there will be a frugal plug-in hybrid model that is believed to utilize the same 241hp (245PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline-four paired to a 94hp (95PS) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery featured in the production-intent X5 eDrive study.

On the other side of the spectrum, the successor to the M5 will get an uprated version of the current 4.4-liter V8 turbo edging closer to the 600-horsepower mark. BMW officials have hinted at the possibility of offering a rear-biased all-wheel drive version along with the traditional rear-wheel drive model.

Known under the internal codename G30, the sixth generation of BMW’s luxury mid-size sedan is now expected to arrive in late summer 2016, possibly enjoying its world premiere at the following Paris Motor Show. North America may have to wait until 2017 to get the next 5.

The saloon will be joined by the Touring (estate) and a long-wheelbase version for the Chinese market, which will likely form the base for the next GT body style.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops

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