Just ahead of the new 2017 BMW 5-Series’ debut on October 13, what appear to be official images of the G30-codenamed sedan in M Sport trim, have appeared on the internet – we picked them up over at the Germancarforum.

If you’ve been tracing the development of the seventh-generation 5-Series through our spy photographers’ lens over the past year or so, then you won’t be surprised with the G30’s evolutionary exterior styling that heavily borrows on the aesthetics of the latest 7-Series while incorporating some more contemporary cues from the 2013 Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupé concept car.

In other words, and at least judging by these initial images, the new 5-Series looks like a resized 7-Series with seemingly sexier / more dynamic proportions, especially at the rear, thanks to the stubbier tail, sloping boot lid and more heavily raked window.

It’s a similar –and some would say, all too familiar- story inside, with BMW lazily adopting the same design, switchgear and layout as the bigger 7-Series, with the dashboard featuring high-resolution digital instruments and a free-standing infotainment screen.

Underpinning BMW’s executive model is the new Cluster Architecture (CLAR) that incorporates high-strength steel, carbon fiber and aluminum modules and components to help the 5er drop as much as 100kg (220 lbs) helping improve handling and agility, as well as fuel economy.

Power will come from BMW’s latest 2.0-liter B47 diesel and B48 gasoline four-cylinder units, and 3.0-liter B57 diesel and B58 gasoline six-cylinder engines, with an M Performance inline-six diesel for the M550d, a turbocharged gasoline V8 for the 550i, to join the range as well. BMW also plans to offer the 5-Series with the same plug-in hybrid 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline-electric powertrain used in the 330e, 740e and X5 xDrive40e.

Next year we’ll see the high-po M5, combing a 600hp+ turbocharged V8 for the first time in the model’s history with an optional all-wheel drive system.

Standard 5-Series models will be available (depending on the market) with either 6-speed manual gearboxes or a new nine-speed automatic, while the M5 will adopt a dual-clutch transmission.

Following the introduction of the G30 5-Series Sedan, BMW will release the G31 Touring and the G32 five-door GT promising a sleeker body than today’s bulbous model.

Thanks to reader Kaisuke971 for the tip!

Photo Gallery

Video

Five reasons to be successful: 5. Be the ultimate business athlete. Stay tuned for the unveiling of the all-new #BMW #5series tomorrow. #5reasonsforsuccessA video posted by BMW (@bmw) on Oct 12, 2016 at 8:02am PDT