2011 BMW 5-Series Touring

The communalities in design of the new BMW 5-Series Touring and the new BMW 5-Series Sedan are restricted to the front end and extend to the B-pillars of the body. As a result, the touring model also possesses an expressive and carefully styled front end, including the features typical of BMW, which have been reinterpreted for this series. In addition, all crucial design principles, which also characterise the appearance of the sedan, have been implemented on the new BMW 5-Series Touring in a form that corresponds to the model-specific car body concept. Thanks to sculptural styling, the body of the new BMW 5-Series Touring appears to be made from one cast. Perfectly balanced proportions reflect a harmonious weight distribution between the front and rear axles. The long bonnet, short overhangs and a dynamic, wedge-shaped silhouette provide the vehicle with a sporty and active, forward-moving appearance. Like the sedan, the new BMW 5-Series Touring has the longest wheelbase in its segment, measuring 2,968 millimetres.

Through precisely contoured vehicle surfaces the car makes an even-tempered and superior overall impression at first glance. Only from a shorter distance and from a different perspective do the subtle light and shade effects become visible, revealing the three-dimensional character of the convex and concave surfaces. Elaborate details such as chrome design elements with integrated side indicators, door openers embedded into the side contour lines and the harmonious roofline extending to the trailing edge underline the premium character of the new BMW 5-Series Touring. The counter-swing - also known as the "Hofmeisterknick" - for the rear section of the integral side window surround at the base of the D-pillar is both a characteristic and sophisticated element.

Charismatic appearance: concentrated look and a forward-moving character.

The expressive front end of the new BMW 5-Series Touring convincingly accentuates the sporting and representative character of the model through brand-typical but reinterpreted design features. The upright BMW kidney grille, which even appears to be leaning forward when viewed from certain perspectives, symbolises the vehicle's forward-moving character and, together with the powerfully flared wheel arches, gives the car a charismatic presence. Four contour lines sweeping down into the kidney grille split the bonnet into individual sections. The two middle lines meet above the kidney grille, surrounding the BMW logo. The wide air intake with round fog lamps positioned far to the outside provides a particularly sporting note through its division into three sections, with two horizontal bars dividing the air scoop on both sides. These bars extend further on to the inside at kidney grille level, rendering the centre section of the air intake one complete, harmonious unit. Together with the contours of the air intake rising up to the outside, they emphasise the width of the front end, directing the onlooker's eye onto the wheel arches.

The headlight units extending far into the side panels also serve to emphasise the width of the car. The actual light sources are two cylinder-shaped headlights, with the dual round headlights cut off at the top by a trim panel creating the concentrated look so typical of a BMW and reminiscent of an athlete on the starting line. In conjunction with the optional Xenon headlights, the daytime driving lights incorporate quite unmistakable LED light rings, while the direction indicators moved far to the outside are made up of ten LED units each. As a final highlight, an LED focus light marks the upper end of each headlight unit.

Side view: dynamically stretched contours, flat silhouette.

The handling characteristics of the new BMW 5-Series combine superior agility with outstanding riding comfort. An adequate balance between sportiness and elegance is also reflected in the design of the new BMW 5-Series Touring. The side view particularly emphasises this fact. With its stretched contours, the vehicle has a particularly flat silhouette. This is emphasised by the slightly wedge-shaped geometry of the extended window surfaces and the distinctive contour line at door opener level. This contour line runs parallel to the door cavity covers and extends as far as the taillight. Together with the coupe-like roofline it creates an overall impression of being dynamically stretched. Also, the narrow body trim above the windows gives the new BMW 5-Series Touring an air of lightness and elegance.

In the lower sections of the body, concave surfaces create lively light and shade effects, emphasising the sporting character of the BMW 5-Series Touring. Greater curvature around the rear wheel arches bears testimony to rear-wheel drive. At this point, the body boasts its maximum width, standing firmly on the rear wheels.

The dynamic contours of the vehicle are further emphasised by the counter-swing - also referred to as the "Hofmeisterknick" - at the bottom of the D-pillar. Furthermore, the new versions of the optional roof luggage rails, which are flat-mounted, solid one-piece elements, contribute towards the silhouette's appearance. The roof luggage rails, available in satin finish aluminium, black and individual black, are flush with the roofline at the rear where their contours merge with the side edge of the roof spoiler.