We have been keeping close tabs on the updated 5-Series and we have caught some pretty nice spy shots. Unfortunately, the testers have done a pretty good job keeping the revisions hidden. We saw a few leaked images last month, but the source was not very reputable. The covers were blown off once again today, as Auto Zeitung is obviously doing a piece on the facelift and an image from this article has oozed its way onto the information superhighway. This new image confirms that the previous leaks were accurate and gives us a little clarity.

From the looks of this leaked image, all of our suspicions are accurate. The image reveals that the grille is fully modified and the lower air dam is now wide open, giving the 5er a rather odd-looking smile. The only area that we were initially incorrect on is the headlight design -- they do not go all the way to the grille like they do on the 3-Series. Another area we were slightly incorrect was the hood, which features larger ridges and a deeper valley down the center of it.

Unfortunately, no details were revealed about the powerplants, but we expect to see a new in-line six cylinder to replace the N55. We’ll find out all of the official details in Shanghai!

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