Scheduled to break cover this October, the next-generation BMW 5 Series surfaced the Interwebz early thanks to a small batch of leaked photos. The pictures reveal the sedan exterior design, but also gives us a glimpse of the redesigned interior.

Not surprisingly, the 5 Series' new design language is very conservative and in line with the larger 7 Series that debuted in 2015. The overall shape remains unchanged, and even though the beltline is a bit more pronounced, the new 5 Series is a mild update over its predecessor. Up front, it sports a beefier kidney grille, longer and sleeker headlamps, and revised bumper intakes. Around back, there's a set of revised taillights with new LED signatures and a new bumper with trapezoidal exhaust pipes.

The cabin is heavily based on that of the 7 Series, featuring an almost identical center stack. The sedan appears to feature a similar wood trim layout and the same infotainment screen atop the dash. A notable difference is noticeable in the center stack. While the 7 Series has its A/C vents separated from the radio and HVAC controls, in the 5 Series they are integrated into the same element.

You can also notice a redesigned steering wheel and door panels, but again, these features are based on those already seen inside the 7 Series. Not that it's bad to have the midsize mirror the range-topping model, but a bit more diversity would have been nice.

Information about technology and and the drivetrain isn't yet available, but we do know that the new 5 Series rides on a new, lighter platform. A couple of new engines are also on the table alongside revised versions of older powerplants.

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Why it matters

These leaked photos confirm what we've already discussed about the new 5 Series in our speculative review here. Much like the 7 Series, the new midsize adopted an evolutionary design that brings together the familiar cues of the previous model and BMW's new, sportier features in the front and rear. It seems that the company's strategy is similar to that of Mercedes, which rolled out three sedans looking mostly the same since 2014. Some might not like the "same sausage, different lengths" approach, but it's how the cookie crumbles nowadays and it's a sign that most buyers are actually happy with cars from different classes sharing the same styling features.