(November 24, 2009) BMW's mid-size 5-Series sedan has been restyled and re-engineered in a bid to keep it ahead of key rivals such as the recently renewed Mercedes-Benz E-class and the Audi A6. The car was unveiled Tuesday.

Although its look is not nearly as arresting as its direct predecessor, the new 5-series has again strayed into controversial territory with an appearance that picks up on the design language first unveiled on the latest 7-series, but with added flourishes that BMW's new design chief, Adrian van Hooydonk, says are aimed at providing added sportiness.

The 2011 5-series will be have more hi-tech features than the current model.

Added to the high level of equipment available on the outgoing 5-series such as blind-spot warning, land-departure warning, heads-up display and night vision with pedestrian detection is a new parallel-park assist system, a distance-warning system which uses sensors to provide a top-view image and frontal collision warning that automatically applies the brakes.

The 5-Series will go on sale in March and will cost between 3 percent and 5 percent more than the current car depending on the model.

Although it's not official just yet, BMW also plans to add a hybrid to its 5-series line-up.