The BMW 7-Series' smaller brother, the new 5-Series, has officially launched. It’s smaller in terms of both size and styling, but still equally as impressive as it’s older sibling. Highlights of the new 5-Series include a less controversial exterior design that's more muscular and draws heavily on the Bavarian firm's flagship limousine and the return of the BMW's driver orientated center console and the classic four circular gauges on the instrument panel.

At launch, the 2011 BMW 5-Series will be available in Europe with four petrol and three diesel engines. In the States, the new 5-Series will be offered with a choice of three gasoline engines. The entry-level 523i features a naturally aspirated inline-six rated in the U.S. at 240HP; the 535i with a turbocharged straight-six producing 300HP and 300 lb-ft of torque; and the 550i that gets a twin-turbo 4.4L V8 cranking out in U.S-spec "over 400HP" and 450 lb-ft of torque. BMW said that in the U.S., the 528i and xDrive all-wheel drive variants of all three models will arrive a little after the launch of the RWD 535i and 550i in 2010. In addition, the U.S.-spec 535i and 550i will be available with a choice of 6-speed manual transmission, BMW's new 8-speed automatic transmission, or a new "Sport Automatic" 8-speed. The 2011 5-Series is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in March 2010, and shortly after in North America and other international markets.