If the upcoming BMW M5 is a bit too common for you, but you still want that Bavarian flavor with your super sedan, then your only option will be this: the G30-based Alpina B5.

After bringing you the first spy shots of its wagon sibling, we now have spotted the regular B5 doing some high-speed testing on the Nurburging racetrack.

The new Alpina sedan will be reportedly powered by the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 found in the latest B7, paired to an eight-speed automatic gearbox with the firm’s traditional Switchtronic shift buttons on the steering wheel.

Power is expected to remain at the same B7 levels, which translates into 600hp (608PS) and 590lb-ft (800Nm), figures that are nearly matching those expected by the upcoming BMW M5. Alpina is also developing the D5 model which is rumored to use a straight-six diesel with three turbos and a power output of at least 400hp.

The new Alpina B5 will feature the firm’s familiar visual traits, including a new front spoiler, a rear bumper, quad exhaust pipes and of course a set of the traditional multispoke alloys wheels.

Alpina is expected to reveal the new B5 and D5 right after BMW debuts the new M5, which will probably break cover during the second half of 2017.

The second trailer of the upcoming BMW 'Escape' short film reveals the new 5-Series as the main star of the reborn series.

BMW Films are making a return after almost 15 years since the original -and highly acclaimed- video series came out, with Clive Owen sitting again on the driver’s seat.

We still don’t have a clue about the plot of the new short film ‘The Escape’, but we do know that a brand new BMW 540i will be Owen’s ride. From what we can tell from the two trailers released so far, we are in for an action-packed chase scene complete with explosions, helicopters, guns and lots of stunts.

As for the main star of the show, the new BMW 540i is powered by a turbocharged 335hp 3.0-litre straight-six unit which should allow it to be a proper escape vehicle. We’re guessing that Owen would like something with a bit more poke, but the new M5 is still not ready for him.

The new film features many actors and actresses, including John Bernthal, Dakota Fanning and Vera Vermiga, promising us a really high production value, just like before. As for the film’s premiere, this will take place at the BMW Films website on Sunday October 23 at 6 pm EST.

Hot on the heels of the G30 BMW 5-Series sedan debut, rendering artists have already started imagining how future variants of the car will look.

Recently, we had a chance to see what form the new M5 will take and now it's time to see the latest 5-Series Touring.

Rendered here by both Jon Sibal andTheophilus Chin, the new 5-Series Touring will follow a familiar formula by simply extending the roofline and tailgate to stretch the car and make it much more practical.

When it launches, probably in 2017, the new 5-Series Touring will compete directly with the recently-revealed Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate and in all likelihood, be offered in many of the same guises as the sedan.

That should mean that the model will be available with four turbocharged engines. Two of these will be petrol-powered, one displacing 2.0-liters with 248 hp and another a 3.0-liter inline-six delivering 335 hp. Two diesels could complete the initial range, one 2.0-liters in capacity and the other a 3.0-liter unit. A plug-in hybrid and 4.4-liter V8 may also be added to the Touring family, as they will the sedan.

At this stage, it seems unlikely the new 5-Series will spawn an M5 Touring. While offered for the E60-generation M5, coined the E61, the model was scrapped for the current F10 model.

Unveiled on Thursday, the latest generation BMW 5-Series, codenamed G30, will serve as the base for a brand-new M5.

Imagined here by X-Tomi, the high-performance executive saloon is expected to adopt a slightly more aggressive styling, highlighted by the larger front bumper with massive air intakes, extended side skirts and an updated rear bumper, which will incorporate a diffuser flanked by twin pipes on either side.

Telling bystanders that they are looking at the range-topping version of the new BMW 5-Series will also be the M5 badges and the rims filling up the wheel arches, while inside, the car will set itself apart with the usual trim upgrades, along with sportier front seats with lateral support.

With its eyes set on the upcoming Mercedes-AMG E63, the new BMW M5 is expected to use a modified 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, capable of at least 600 HP, which will be channeled to the rear, and optionally, for the first time, all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Given that the new 455hp M550 xDrive is already 0.3 seconds faster than the outgoing M5 in the 0-100km/h (62mph) run at 4 seconds flat, the AWD version of the new M5 could drop to the mid-3 second range.

Thanks to its sharper styling, more aggressive stance, lighter body and impressive on-board technology, the all-new 2017 BMW 5-Series could eclipse its predecessor in every possible way.

Let's face it, while looks don't matter as much as brand cachet and perception in this segment, they can easily sway a decision, and here BMW is treading on a similarly evolutionary path as their counterparts in Ingolstadt.

Before we get into the technical nitty gritty, let's run down a couple of things that set the G30 5-Series apart from its predecessor. Styling aside, we're looking at an only marginally larger car. The G30 is 36 mm (1.4 in) longer, 6 mm (0.2 in) wider and 2 mm (0.07 in) taller than the F10, with its wheelbase having grown by 7 mm (0.3 in).

It may not sound like much, but if you add the sharper, more modern lines, you get a sedan that seems from a first glance to have more road presence than the car its replacing. In layman's terms, it's got a 7-Series-inspired front end, larger taillights than the F10 and a slightly sloped rear end that brings it all together. You can obviously argue for or against the new 5er being better looking than the old one, but based on most of the comments we've seen, people were apparently expecting or rather scratch that, wanted more differentiation between the two models from BMW.

Something similar can be said about the interior, but while the design is familiar, the G30 comes with all the latest BMW gadgets and gizmos such as the automaker's new iDrive system (which functions similarly to the one in the 7-Series), wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices, better resolution for the Head-Up display, a larger 10.25" touchscreen angled towards the driver and plenty more features that probably take a backseat to the all-new 5-Series' autonomous functions.

Yes, unlike the F10, the G30 can follow and overtake other cars, communicate with other BMW models and even understand a wider range of expressions instead of just the usual set of commands. As for parking itself or even find empty spots for you via its new ParkNow feature.

We won't know how the new 5edr rides on the road until the first set of reviews come in or we get our hands on one, but according to BMW, it should feel lighter and more nimble on its feet thanks to its weight being cut by as much as 100 kg (220 lbs). Perhaps one of the coolest statistics we've gotten so far concerns the new M550i xDrive model which is actually quicker to 100 km/h (62 mph) than the current M5 F10, despite being down on power - though, keep in mind here that the all-wheel drive system does constitute a bit of a cheat when comparing the two cars.

At this point, we figure you're probably curious about some of the entry-level versions as well, which you should be, because most 5-Series buyers are going to purchase the likes of the 520d, 530d and 530i, with or without xDrive.

In order to satisfy your curiosity, here's how the entry-level diesel versions of the new G30 and old F10 compare on paper, while powered by the exact same engine in manual & RWD configurations:

2017 BMW 520d G30: 2.0L, 190 PS, 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), 0-100 in 7.7s, 238 km/h, 4.2l/100 km (67.27 UK mpg) avg, 109g CO2

2016 BMW 520d F10: 2.0L, 190 PS, 400 Nm (295 lb-ft), 0-100 in 7.9s, 236 km/h, 4.3l/100 km (67.25 UK mpg) avg, 114g CO2

If you live in the US, here's a quick comparison of the entry-level petrol versions, with automatic transmissions:

2017 BMW 530i G30: 2.0L, 252 PS, 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), 0-100 in 6.2s, 250 km/h, 5.5l/100 km (42.7 US mpg) avg, 126g CO2

2016 BMW 528i F10: 2.0L, 245 PS, 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), 0-100 in 6.2s, 250 km/h, 6.1l/100 km (38.5 US mpg) avg, 142g CO2

As you can see, there isn't a massive performance gain to be had when looking at the 520d - and unfortunately it does apply to most of the range. Then again, the F10 was never a slow or thirsty car for that matter so if you've just bought a basic diesel or petrol one, you probably have little reason to covet the G30, at least from a performance standpoint.

However, in terms of looks, comfort and technology, well, that's a different story - one that we're looking forward to reading once your comments start rolling in.