We have already published our first impressions on the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, but we left the discussion open since there is much to say about the design of the new 5 Series Sedan. The most striking thing about it is the way BMW managed to create a design for the 5 Series that integrates so harmoniously this car in the BMW model range. It is obvious for anybody the way the new BMW 5 Series blends in right between 3 Series and 7 Series models. Even if you see the car for the first time, you can tell right from the start it is a BMW, and if you have a little knowledge on cars you could guess it has to be a 5 Series. For anyone who had seen the car once, it is hard to believe that he won’t recognize it the next time he will see it.
The new BMW 5 Series is clearly stuffed with that typical BMW character that BMW fans all over the world love. The way they have done it without adding many excessive design elements to its design remains a mystery. The result stands out in a hard to define manner.
BMW 5 Series Sedan Exterior Design
BMW has managed a perfect integration of the new 5 Series Sedan in the BMW model range. This could have been probably impossible to do without some of the design elements to be related to the other BMW series models.
BMW 3 Series is one of BMW best sellers so, since the design of the last 3 Series generation has been a success, both in terms of aesthetics and preservation of the brand’s character, there should be no surprise to the fact that the new BMW 5 Series Sedan seems to be so closely related to the 3 Series. This is quite a positive feature since the BMW 5 Series Sedan is a bigger car, and despite this fact it looks very supple.
Without any doubt BMW designers have managed to balance quite a lot of already successful design elements specific to the brand which concluded in a car with a pleasant, stylish and elegant presence with a strong touch of attractiveness in it. It is hard not to notice the characteristic elegance of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan once you set your eyes on the car.
One of the major elements which will definitely contribute to the success of the BMW 5 Series Sedan is the way in which BMW designers have combined different design elements typical to the brand in one well put together entity, which means that there is no shape or angle in the car design that might disturb the view or ruin in any way the harmony of the lines. There is a great balance between the proportions of the car and the way it’s shapes flow across it’s surface from the beginning to the end of the car.
The new BMW 5 Series Sedan has a long engine compartment lid, short overhangs, long wheelbase and a sleek and fluid like shaped roof line, finely touching a coupe like shape. It might prove interesting to know that this well balanced design of the car is not for show only, as it contributes to an optimized front to rear weight distribution on all engine variants of the car. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan also has the longest wheelbase in the car’s segment which makes clear more benefits in terms of interior space.
What I like most on modern cars, and also a thing that was clearly mastered in the making of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan is the three dimensional design which makes for a different look of the car as you change your point of view towards the car. The wedge crossing on the side body panels along the car ads to the way light is reflected by the car’s body creating the impression the space bends around the car.
Chrome color design elements are specific to most modern cars and especially to the ones in the premium segment. However, the way these elements have been integrated in the overall look of the car is made in a non-excessive way making them look like they really belong there.
The engine compartment lid has a design of its own with four contour lines coming down towards the specific kidney grille. Impressively the two exterior lines seem a little sharper than the other two in the middle looking milder, but this only happens depending on the angle you are watching the car from.
One particular design element that has received a lot of attention is represented by the new BMW 5 Series Sedan’s headlights. At a first glance you might say that there is nothing out of the ordinary about them. The headlights look good and they are well integrated in the frontal design of the car. At a closer look you’ll notice the vast amount of details incorporated in the design of the headlights. These units are extending into the side panels also emphasizing that three dimensional car design style I already talked about. The headlights of the new 5 Series Sedan have clearly well studied design lines which greatly contribute to the character of the car.
The daytime driving lights of the BMW 5 Series Sedan incorporate unmistakable LED light rings and the harmoniously shaped direction indicators are also made up of LED units. More than that, LED focus lights mark the upper end of the headlight units emphasizing even more the so familiar and loved by so many, typical, focused BMW look. It seems that the car looks somewhere in the distance, like it is focusing on one point, most probably on its destination where it will get you fast and safe.
The contour line of the car also ads strength to its character bringing out a most modern interpretation of the well balanced proportions of a classic sedan. The characteristic compact counter swing at the bottom of the C-pillar is also present in the side view of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan.
Rear view of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan
The most impressive thing about the rear view of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan is how great the car looks without trying to impress in any way. The design elements found at the back of the car consist of the well known L shaped rear light clusters. Just like in the case of the headlights, LED technology can also be found at the back. Three rows of LED lights bring in even more shape and style. No design element seems out of place, everything looks like it is placed right where it should be.
Night design of the new BMW 5 Series sedan
Have you ever been in the situation to see a car coming your way at night, and be amazed by it’s headlights? If not, then the new BMW 5 Series Sedan will certainly make an impression on you, since a great amount of care have been paid to details like the car image and individuality at night.
While this might seem a little to much, BMW shows how aware this car maker is of the importance of every design detail of the car. They realized that the car should also have it’s unmistakable look at night, too.
Showing a lot of care for details, the LED lights in the front form light rings, also a specific element for BMW design.
One more thing could be said about the new BMW 5 Series Design: right from the start, seven paintwork colors will be available.
Interior design of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan
The interior design of the new BMW 5 Series is an image created for people who are really serious about their cars. Again, no unnecessary design excesses have been made. Everything is kept within the limits of well behaved elegance, distinguished simplicity and specific elegance.
Even having a first look, a brief encounter with the BMW 5 Series Sedan’s interior, you could notice right away that this is a driver’s car. The cockpit is slightly inclined towards the driver, with an angle of 7 degrees to be more precise, and the centre console design is asymmetrical, also, a detail emphasizing the orientation to the driver.
Buttons have became a common feature on many cars, even if, as far as I can remember, BMW was one of the first of the modern era to make it a standard. A real trendsetter. In the case of the new BMW 5 Series, the multifunction buttons on the newly developed steering wheels can be used now to operate cruise control.
Another clear feature is that all control units and switches as well as displays in the instrument cluster finished in Black panel technology are arranged clearly and wisely spaced to ensure optimum readability. The information most relevant to the driver as well as control instruments are arranged on the side of the cockpit facing the driver, while the displays, control units and buttons serving comfort functions are positioned towards the middle of the car. Well integrated in the overall design of the car is the Control Display features on the iDrive control system measuring up to 10.2 inches in size.
The interior trim on the instrument panel and the door linings are available in various colors and materials of finest quality.
When speaking about the interior design of a car, it is obvious that functionality has an important role to play in the whole equation. Therefore, travel comfort within the new BMW 5 Series Sedan is complemented by a wide range of ergonomically and ideally positioned storage options, boxes and cup holders. More space is available on the driver’s side of the instrument panel, in addition to the spacious glove compartment in the form of a fold in box.
Depending on your chosen transmission, the centre console of the BMW 5 Series Sedan comes in two variants:
On cars with a manual gearbox, the console is split into two sections, the black surface surrounding the gearshift lever and the buttons on the optional Dynamic Driving control opening up towards the driver. A storage box between the gearshift lever and the air conditioning controls is also present.
On the 5 Series versions with automatic transmission, the centre console forms one complete and highly elegant surface, the space between the electronic gear selector lever and the climate control unit offers enough room for two cup holders and a key box, with more storage room in a box placed behind the iDrive Controller.
The armrest on the centre console is smartly designed with butterfly flaps which open up smoothly to reveal USB, Aux-In and power connections, and also a practical storage compartment.
According to it’s premium status, the new BMW 5 Series Sedan interior features, as expected, high-quality materials and a superior finish. The interior can be customized, the customers being able to choose from three upholstery variants in no less than five colors each, three interior colors and five types of interior trim, ready to meet up customers’ exigencies in a variety of combinations.
