BMW 5 Series Interior Spied in Clear View for First Time

Spy photographers have caught the interior in clear view of the new BMW 5 Series for first time. Even with a significant amount of specially cut foam padding used to disguise the instrument panel and center console from prying eyes, we can still make out some new details.

The i-Drive controller is placed on the right side of the gear lever, and similar to Audi's MMI interface, there are additional navigation/function buttons surrounding the controller. Also similar to Audi are the new buttons and scroll wheels on the totally new steering wheel. Sitting at the base of the gear selector console is a big button with a “(P)” for the electronic parking brake.

The shape of the dashboard is also brand new, although the two circular recesses on the passenger side are fake as well as the old i-Drive controller location. The real deal is more like, you guessed it, the Audis.

Keyless-go, active suspension, improved night vision, head-up display and a bigger sat nav screen are all features that we will find in the new 5 Series.

Due to all of the heavy plastic panels, the exterior is still hard to recognize, but at least we can now see the actual size of the characteristic BMW twin kidney grilles.

The new F10 5-Series will be available as sedan, touring (wagon) and fastback, although the later will have its own name (still going under the work name PAS). Four-wheel-drive as an option will be available for all three versions as well as a new 8-speed electronic automatic transmission.

The new F10 5-Series is expected launch in spring 2010 as a 2011 model.