Tuesday 10th November 2009

First Slice Of New 5-series Revealed

BMW tries to dazzle us with its shiny balls

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BMW has released a teaser image showing the 'top slice' of its new 5-series. The small section of the new 5's shape has been modelled using BMW's 'Kinetic Sculpture' installation at their Munich-based museum and suggests a sleeker, less controversial shape for the new version of the beloved barge.

The outgoing '5' has always divided opinion with its rather ungainly lines, but the first 'post-Bangle' effort should return the car to a more relaxed shape, and the sculpture shows a coupe-like sloping roofline and C-pillar (complete with classic BMW 'kink' for the rear window). The real car will be based on the platform from the 5-series GT and, unlike most recent BMWs, will be made entirely from steel, choosing to save weight using methods other than aluminium parts.

'Kinetic Sculpture' works by adjusting the height of 714 metal balls, all independently suspended using near-invisible strings - think of each sculpture as a very intricate version of a 'Newton's Cradle', and you're about on the money.

The new 'F-10' 5-series will be officially revealed in full non-Newtonian form (well, there'll still be gravity) live on the web on Monday 23rd November at 7pm UK time, and PH will be streaming the launch live on our site.

For now, enjoy the video below showing 'Kinetic Sculpture' in action, morphing from one 'weightless' form to another.

[dwilkie]

Next Monday is the 16th...

[UncappedTag]

dwilkie said:

Next Monday is the 16th...

LOL PH's ed fail again

[GPT]

dwilkie said:

Next Monday is the 16th...

Yes but when is 'next Monday 23rd November'?

Edited by GPT on Tuesday 10th November 13:44

[matbat]

The Kenetic design thingee is very clever.

[PJR]

I can almost hear the oncoming stampede of anti BMW keyboard warrior trolls making their way to the thread now! "Its UGLY!"

I do like the kinetic Sculpture thing though. Very neat

[k-ink]

Beautiful art installation.

Let's hope BMW return to their old form. I always loved the old 5 & 7 series. Then the new wave of odd designs ruined it all for me

[VX Foxy]

matbat said:

The Kenetic design thingee is very clever.

WOW!

I bet it's a bh to fix when it breaks!

[Zod]

Urrghgghh, it' fugly. Bet it has no indicators lol. All the electronics will ruin the driver experience and go wrong.

[Great Pretender]

Zod said:

Urrghgghh, it' fugly. Bet it has no indicators lol. All the electronics will ruin the driver experience and go wrong.

Not to mention the TT //M model...

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!

[nickpan]

What's cooler than being cool - ice cool...!

[adycav]

Should be 4wd, it weighs too much, all BMW drivers are total cocks.

[fastgerman]

Zod said:

Urrghgghh, it' fugly. Bet it has no indicators lol. All the electronics will ruin the driver experience and go wrong.

Haha as long as you don't have to self cancel the indicators and turn them on the other direction by accident. That was fun!

I'm sure it will look better than the current model. The 5 series GT looks pretty good too.

[Dibby]

Uh-oh, project managers around the country will have to trade in their 5's. Couldn't possibly be seen in an 'old' model once the first person in carpark buys the new one.

adycav said:

all BMW drivers are total cocks.

No silly, if you let popular opinion and Jeremy Clarkson rule your decisions it's now ALL Audi drivers

[adycav]

Dibby said:

adycav said:

all BMW drivers are total cocks.

No silly, if you let popular opinion and Jeremy Clarkson rule your decisions it's now ALL Audi drivers

What?

When did THIS happen?

[Beirut Taxi]

The current 5 Series, the E60, was certainly offensive when it came out. It's still an ugly car, but it was an awesome bit of design. Very modern, and certainly very different.

I just hope the new 5 Series isn't dumbed down because of the controversy surrounding Bangles designs.

[JayMan]

adycav said:

Should be 4wd, it weighs too much, all BMW drivers are total cocks.

A typical example of badge envy.

I have the current 5 series and its one of the best cars I have owned.

Ive owned all sorts of cars including, Porsche, Lotus, Mercedes etc but I have never experienced such anger towards a brand on the road until I got my current BMW.

I can only assume that as an aspirational brand that it is jealousy that fuels your comment.

[pSyCoSiS]

Lovely bit of art work to tease about a new model - well done BMW.

Something slightly different - I really like the way they have done that, very impressive.

[pSyCoSiS]

JayMan said:

adycav said:

Should be 4wd, it weighs too much, all BMW drivers are total cocks.

A typical example of badge envy.

I have the current 5 series and its one of the best cars I have owned.

Ive owned all sorts of cars including, Porsche, Lotus, Mercedes etc but I have never experienced such anger towards a brand on the road until I got my current BMW.

I can only assume that as an aspirational brand that it is jealousy that fuels your comment.

Mate, I think he was being sarcastic?! He owns a BMW Z4M !

[lankyarcher]

JayMan said:

adycav said:

Should be 4wd, it weighs too much, all BMW drivers are total cocks.

A typical example of badge envy.

I have the current 5 series and its one of the best cars I have owned.

Ive owned all sorts of cars including, Porsche, Lotus, Mercedes etc but I have never experienced such anger towards a brand on the road until I got my current BMW.

I can only assume that as an aspirational brand that it is jealousy that fuels your comment.

I think you have missed the comic subtleties of that.....

[SimonSaid]

VX Foxy said:

WOW!

I bet it's a bh to fix when it breaks!

Good point - imagine what happens if the strings get tangled...