The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com) - View Single Post - Our worst fears are true!!

enots · 7th April 2002, 08:44

This morning i was reading though our Australian Sun-Herald and found a HUGE story on the new 5 Series from Georg Kacher reporting from the BMW company headquarters.

we have see photos that have been made from leaked information, but here are actual details and you can make up your own mental images......not that u want too cause it sounds even uglyier then we have expected

see what you ppl think.....im pretty shocked how our fears of the exterior are starting to come true on the E60.....yet this is information from their sources so there are always doubts.

but i recon this is the BEST coverage and informative look on the next 5.

u guys better enjoy this cause OMG IT TOOK SOOOOOO LONG TO TYPE OUT!!!

that means there may b a few lil errors in my typing

well enough chit-chat......enjoy! mmm....enjoy isnt the right word in this case.....mmm...maybe i should say "lets hope its not true!"

"Inside the distinctive four cylinder office tower on the Munich’s Petuelring that is BMW central, the debate is now white hot. A few kilometers away in the sleekly modern Research and Design center, American Chris Bangle, BMW’s chief of design, is guiding a crucial new car through its final phases.

The BMW 5 Series won’t be seen until September next year, but crunch time is now. The company that made style its signature element can’t decide on its next move.

The 5 Series is a highly profitable model. It can’t afford to fail, but there is a lot of nervousness about the design direction.

The new car is said to be even more radical than the recently released 7 Series flagship, a design that polarized opinion from day one.

The success of the new 7 Series is determined mainly by its performance in the US and in Asia. The new 5 also needs to do well in Europe and, above all, in Germany.

This explains the unease within BMW’s sales and marketing department. Incoming orders for the new flagship saloon send a clear message: German demand is poor; pan-European orders are not as good as expected and North America and Asia are slightly above target.

The new 5 cannot afford such a lukewarm reception.
That’s why the Bavarians would love to put an end to the design debate which drags on, and not only in Germany.

BMW is in a quandary. The current 3 Series was deemed not adventurous though when it arrived, but has sold very well. Under Bangle’s design direction, BMW then rolled out a series of radical concept cars. The X9 coupe, shown at the Detroit Motor Show last year, received a panning.

Then the 7 Series arrived – and critics labeled it too “out there” for its rich buyers.

EXTERIOR

Those who have seen project E60 (as the new 5 is codenamed) reckon many customers will take even longer to get used to the new midliner. Even BMW loyalists may be shaken by such nonconformist cues as the Chinese-eye front end and the Japanese-looking tail.

Although the fourth-generation 5, due to appear at the 2003 Frankfurt Show, can be instantly identified as a BMW, the design language will change dramatically.

There’s a new interpretation of the trademark kidney grille, which assumes the shape of a symmetrically split vase. Quad round headlamps are installed at a cat’s-eye angle. The characteristic BMW belt line gives way to a concave lateral groove.

Even the co-called Hofmeister kink, that unmistakable signature element at the foot of the rear side (C) pillar, has lost its crispness.

Clear and geometric cutlines divide the slab-sided flanks, but the standard 16-inch wheels look tiny on such a broad-shouldered and visually heavy car.

Early this year, top and middle management saw the car in BMW’s penthouse viewing area.

The dark grey model looked almost black in the dim light, recalls a guest. It was easy to see the inoffensive silhouette, but more difficult to read the cutlines.

The main criticism was related to the tall and angular rear end, which one insider described as an oddball mix of 7 Series and Subaru Liberty styling elements. The front end is determined by the wrap around bonnet, boomerang-shaped eyebrow indicators, a sagging-cheeks air intake in the bumper and the swoosh in the front mudguards just ahead of the door openings.

There is no doubt about it: the new 5 looks different. But is it still a proper BMW? And how does this offbeat appearance comply with the classic BMW design genes once so homogeneous and coherent?

INTERIOR

Inside, the E60 continues to break with tradition. In the past, BMW cockpits were driver-orientated and ornamentation-free. In ther new 5, form threatens to dominate function.

An internal pamphlet says the instrument panel “combines tension and calm”, but apparently impresses more with up to six layers of colours and materials than with tangible ergonomics innovations.

The biggest step ahead is perhaps the second edition of the iDrive information controller, allegedly much easier to use than the 7 system.

The designers have cleaned up the countless menus and submenus to make access a lot slicker.

The iDrive controller looks different and a master switch gives instant access to key programs. The in-dash monitors less prominent, better integrated and easier to read from the passenger side.

TECHNICAL

Beneath the skin, the new 5 is a downsized version of the new 7. Like its predecessor, E60 relies on a spring strut front axle and a multi-link rear axle, but the revised suspension elements are now made of aluminum, not steel.

Options include adjustable dampers and adjustable sway bars. Among the most important dimensional changes are a longer wheelbase, wider track, bigger wheels and brakes.

None of the present engines will remain unchanged in the new 5. The petrol-fed power plants will combine Valvetronic with direct-injection, but current displacements are rumored not to change.

Mid-term, say by late 2005, BMW wants to establish the electronic valve train (EVT) across the board. EVT will revolutionize engine design by replacing camshafts with individually controlled electro-mechanical intake and exhaust valves.

The first BMW EVT engine is rumored to be going into low-volume production next year. Also, late next year, the Bavarians are expected to show the new 5 Wagon, due on the market in the northern spring 2004.

It’s not clear if BMW will fit electro-hydraulic brakes (EHB) – or will be the first to go to electro-mechanical brakes (EMB) in late 2004.

What EMB needs is a separate high-tension electric system, which would also feed the starter-generator. Such a system is in the works for E60, sources say.

In addition to brake-by-wire, BMW is also looking at steer-by-wire, but the active steering which would automatically maintain a chosen course in crosswinds or when lanes narrow is more likely to debut in the new 7 Series.

Whichever way BMW jumps with the new 5 Series, you can be assured you won’t miss its arrival. As one insider put it, 'if you thought the 7 Series was controversial, you ain’t seen nothing yet.' "

-Greg

7th April 2002, 08:44	#1 (permalink)
enots Member, Sport: On DSC: Off Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Australia Age: 23 Posts: 253 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Our worst fears are true!! - an insider speaks out on the new 5 This morning i was reading though our Australian Sun-Herald and found a HUGE story on the new 5 Series from Georg Kacher reporting from the BMW company headquarters. we have see photos that have been made from leaked information, but here are actual details and you can make up your own mental images......not that u want too cause it sounds even uglyier then we have expected see what you ppl think.....im pretty shocked how our fears of the exterior are starting to come true on the E60.....yet this is information from their sources so there are always doubts. but i recon this is the BEST coverage and informative look on the next 5. u guys better enjoy this cause OMG IT TOOK SOOOOOO LONG TO TYPE OUT!!! that means there may b a few lil errors in my typing well enough chit-chat......enjoy! mmm....enjoy isnt the right word in this case.....mmm...maybe i should say "lets hope its not true!" "Inside the distinctive four cylinder office tower on the Munich’s Petuelring that is BMW central, the debate is now white hot. A few kilometers away in the sleekly modern Research and Design center, American Chris Bangle, BMW’s chief of design, is guiding a crucial new car through its final phases. The BMW 5 Series won’t be seen until September next year, but crunch time is now. The company that made style its signature element can’t decide on its next move. The 5 Series is a highly profitable model. It can’t afford to fail, but there is a lot of nervousness about the design direction. The new car is said to be even more radical than the recently released 7 Series flagship, a design that polarized opinion from day one. The success of the new 7 Series is determined mainly by its performance in the US and in Asia. The new 5 also needs to do well in Europe and, above all, in Germany. This explains the unease within BMW’s sales and marketing department. Incoming orders for the new flagship saloon send a clear message: German demand is poor; pan-European orders are not as good as expected and North America and Asia are slightly above target. The new 5 cannot afford such a lukewarm reception. That’s why the Bavarians would love to put an end to the design debate which drags on, and not only in Germany. BMW is in a quandary. The current 3 Series was deemed not adventurous though when it arrived, but has sold very well. Under Bangle’s design direction, BMW then rolled out a series of radical concept cars. The X9 coupe, shown at the Detroit Motor Show last year, received a panning. Then the 7 Series arrived – and critics labeled it too “out there” for its rich buyers. EXTERIOR Those who have seen project E60 (as the new 5 is codenamed) reckon many customers will take even longer to get used to the new midliner. Even BMW loyalists may be shaken by such nonconformist cues as the Chinese-eye front end and the Japanese-looking tail. Although the fourth-generation 5, due to appear at the 2003 Frankfurt Show, can be instantly identified as a BMW, the design language will change dramatically. There’s a new interpretation of the trademark kidney grille, which assumes the shape of a symmetrically split vase. Quad round headlamps are installed at a cat’s-eye angle. The characteristic BMW belt line gives way to a concave lateral groove. Even the co-called Hofmeister kink, that unmistakable signature element at the foot of the rear side (C) pillar, has lost its crispness. Clear and geometric cutlines divide the slab-sided flanks, but the standard 16-inch wheels look tiny on such a broad-shouldered and visually heavy car. Early this year, top and middle management saw the car in BMW’s penthouse viewing area. The dark grey model looked almost black in the dim light, recalls a guest. It was easy to see the inoffensive silhouette, but more difficult to read the cutlines. The main criticism was related to the tall and angular rear end, which one insider described as an oddball mix of 7 Series and Subaru Liberty styling elements. The front end is determined by the wrap around bonnet, boomerang-shaped eyebrow indicators, a sagging-cheeks air intake in the bumper and the swoosh in the front mudguards just ahead of the door openings. There is no doubt about it: the new 5 looks different. But is it still a proper BMW? And how does this offbeat appearance comply with the classic BMW design genes once so homogeneous and coherent? INTERIOR Inside, the E60 continues to break with tradition. In the past, BMW cockpits were driver-orientated and ornamentation-free. In ther new 5, form threatens to dominate function. An internal pamphlet says the instrument panel “combines tension and calm”, but apparently impresses more with up to six layers of colours and materials than with tangible ergonomics innovations. The biggest step ahead is perhaps the second edition of the iDrive information controller, allegedly much easier to use than the 7 system. The designers have cleaned up the countless menus and submenus to make access a lot slicker. The iDrive controller looks different and a master switch gives instant access to key programs. The in-dash monitors less prominent, better integrated and easier to read from the passenger side. TECHNICAL Beneath the skin, the new 5 is a downsized version of the new 7. Like its predecessor, E60 relies on a spring strut front axle and a multi-link rear axle, but the revised suspension elements are now made of aluminum, not steel. Options include adjustable dampers and adjustable sway bars. Among the most important dimensional changes are a longer wheelbase, wider track, bigger wheels and brakes. None of the present engines will remain unchanged in the new 5. The petrol-fed power plants will combine Valvetronic with direct-injection, but current displacements are rumored not to change. Mid-term, say by late 2005, BMW wants to establish the electronic valve train (EVT) across the board. EVT will revolutionize engine design by replacing camshafts with individually controlled electro-mechanical intake and exhaust valves. The first BMW EVT engine is rumored to be going into low-volume production next year. Also, late next year, the Bavarians are expected to show the new 5 Wagon, due on the market in the northern spring 2004. It’s not clear if BMW will fit electro-hydraulic brakes (EHB) – or will be the first to go to electro-mechanical brakes (EMB) in late 2004. What EMB needs is a separate high-tension electric system, which would also feed the starter-generator. Such a system is in the works for E60, sources say. In addition to brake-by-wire, BMW is also looking at steer-by-wire, but the active steering which would automatically maintain a chosen course in crosswinds or when lanes narrow is more likely to debut in the new 7 Series. Whichever way BMW jumps with the new 5 Series, you can be assured you won’t miss its arrival. As one insider put it, 'if you thought the 7 Series was controversial, you ain’t seen nothing yet.' " -Greg __________________ 2004 Mazda 3 [ View Me ] Last edited by enots; 7th April 2002 at 12:03.