New spy photos of the next generation BMW 5-series have surfaced on the internet. According to the people at Edmunds InsideLine, these new spy photos are definitely of the next generation 5-series, codenamed F10, which, according to them it will be a 2011 model. 

While we're still uncertain if the official launch will take place in 2010 or the following year, we do agree on the fact that the test mule caught on camera is definitely the BMW 5-series. The overall size is pretty much close to the current 5-series models, so don't expect more passenger room in this car. Of course, BMW is a pro when it comes to camouflaging their car so we can't really tell from these snapshots if major exterior changes will take place.

At the Chicago Auto Show, while speaking with one of the BMW's top executives, a little detail has slipped out. Apparently, the twin-turbo V8 engine found in the new BMW X6 series actually fits in the current 5-series as well, so a similar outcome is expected in the next gen 5'ers. And I strongly believe that BMW will not introduce this engine until the 2010-2011 models will be out.

By the end of this year, more info will become available so we'll see if our predictions were correct.