That's especially true from the rear. Its elegant taillights artfully split their clear and red lenses to join up perfectly with the rearmost edge of the shoulder line and the horizontal cut of the license plate shroud, while the upper portion of the lights themselves curve downward in flow with the bottom lip of the trunklid. Such details are what separate the truly great designers from mere stylists. Of course, like I mentioned previously, not everyone is in love with the 7 Series rear end treatment, with most of the criticism focusing on the decklid itself. In the 5 it flows harmoniously from one surface to the next, a much more pleasing design overall.
No doubt the new 5 Series will prove as dramatic an improvement in driving dynamics, luxury appointments and convenient features over the outgoing model, as the current 7 did to its late namesake. I'll have to reserve full judgment until after I've driven the car, but from the all important styling perspective, I feel they've hit their mark square on. BMW faithful... exhale.
Specifications:
- Base Price (est MSRP): $57,000
- Body Type: 4-door sedan
- Layout: front engine, RWD
- Base Engine (initially): 225-hp, 214 lb-ft of torque, 3.0-L, 24-valve, DOHC I-6
- Opt Engine: 325-hp, 325 lb-ft of torque, 4.4-L, 32-valve, DOHC V8
- Transmission: 6-spd manual (6-spd auto with manual mode)
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
- Curb Weight (est): 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs)
- Fuel Economy (est city/hwy): 11.2 / 7.2 L/100 km
- Warranty (mo/km): 48/80,000 comprehensive
- Direct Competitors: Acura 3.2 TL, Audi A6, Cadillac CTS/Seville, Chrysler 300M, Infiniti G35/I35/M45, Jaguar S-Type, Lexus GS, Lincoln LS, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Volvo S60/S80
- Web Site: www.bmw.ca
