BMW’s new 5 Series gets mobile-sized sneak peak four months early

Want to see what the new BMW 5 Series looks like four full months ahead of its official unveiling? You are in luck, kind of: BMW has just released this image of the new 5, fully undisguised. Unfortunately, it's only a top-down image of a cartoon 5 Series, shown on a mobile phone screen.

The whole idea is to publicise BMW’s new “Remote View 3D” system, which uses the car’s all-round parking cameras to allow you to view remotely what’s happening next to or near your car. The possibilities are potentially mind-boggling.

BMW is holding back details of both the new car and the new Remote View system, but we do know that the new 5 will adopt the G30 model designation (the current car is F10) and that it will shed a massive 100kg in weight.

How? BMW is taking the expertise which it has built up with the electric models and applying to mainstream production cars. As with the current 7 Series, the new 5 will have a good deal of carbon-fibre in its structure, as well as aluminium and high-strength steel.

Most of the engine range will be carried over, but the most basic 518d is likely to adopt a version of the fuel-sipping 1.5-litre three-cylinder, which BMW is already being claiming to offer as much as 72mpg. In a car as big as a 5, that’s quite something.

There will be hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions as well, and there are rumours of a new range-topping M550d six-cylinder 3.0 diesel with more than 400hp and not two but four turbochargers.

The new 5 will also come with a full suite of autonomous features (with possible input from Apple, although that's not yet confirmed). This will allow it to drive itself, up to a point, on main roads and motorways.