2012 BMW 5 series

2012 BMW 5 series

2012 BMW 5 series

2012 BMW 5 series

2012 BMW 5 series

Here are a few spy shots of the upcoming BMW 5-Series Hybrid that bears a striking resemblance to its more conventionally powered sibling. Since the whole world knew what was coming in this new hybrid, BMW’s now-famous swirls act more like thin livery in the shots, rather than the usually intended camouflage.

It is widely believed that the 2012 BMW 5-Series Hybrid will receive a drivetrain similar to the one seen on the ActiveHybrid Concept that was shown at the Geneva Motor Show. In that case, we could see a 40-kW electric motor coupled with a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine that is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 5-Series Hybrid will most likely hit the markets in late 2011, so expect to see more coverage of it around here.