Click above to view a high-res version courtesy of AutoExpress.
According to AutoExpress, the next generation BMW 5-series will be offered as a hatchback, along with its standard sedan and wagon counterparts. The Brit pub supposedly has it on good authority that the new hatch design will be similar to the "TwinDoor" feature offered on the Skoda Superb, which allows the driver to raise either the trunk alone or the rear window and trunk simultaneously. If employed on the new 5-series, storage – with the rear seats folded flat – could approach X5 levels. Expect to see the new 5er launched in 2010.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Aprime @ May 21st 2008 5:06PM
Still fail to understand the worthiness of liftbacks.
The sedan slope's still there, negating the advantages of a hatchback/estate/wagon.
Leaf @ May 21st 2008 5:58PM
It makes the space easier to utilize. Large or awkward items are easier to store and remove, especially if the seats fold down. I think it works really, really well on the Mazda6.
bc @ May 21st 2008 8:22PM
And I can't understand the point of sedans with radically sloped backlights terminating in tiny decklids that restrict loading. The Mazda6 liftback has 22/58 ft^3 of cargo space with the seats up/down; the defunct wagon had 30/60. There were certain kinds of objects you could carry in the wagon that you can't in the liftback, but you need to understand that you are not intended to routinely carry things that will significantly obstruct rearward vision, or may fly forward over the front seats during braking--therefore some of the apparent extra space in a wagon is not officially rated as cargo volume.
That said, I suspect that this body style is intended for Europe and not North America, unless BMW has some market research on its owner body that suggests they want it.
500 @ May 21st 2008 8:26PM
No Aprime you don't understand, it's obviously another 4-door coupe.
/sarcasm
V3LOCIP3D3 @ May 22nd 2008 1:59AM
I think if you're going to make a sedan, this is the way you might as well do it. why not have a hatch on the back? it's only adding convenience
but who needs 4 doors in the first place?
jake @ May 22nd 2008 2:57AM
@bc
I say weight is a consideration. The full hatchback or wagon designs (the kind you are describing) tend to be quite a bit heavier than sedan or sedan style hatchbacks and most people don't need all the space. Just the extra utility of the opening is enough for most people.
DKB_SATX @ May 22nd 2008 3:50AM
jake: And I say the weight difference is negligible. The 535xi Touring weighs a whopping 99 lb more than the 535xi sedan.
TyWright @ May 21st 2008 5:08PM
gross
MikeofLA @ May 21st 2008 5:10PM
W T F Mates... really BMW? I can't even think of anything sarcastic to say about that. Just weird.
Fooman @ May 21st 2008 5:18PM
that is a photochop. odds are the car will have different lines then the sedan.
Dazza @ May 22nd 2008 9:09AM
Fooman: thanks for stating the obvious. The article states the hatch will be part of the next-generation model line-up, not the current one.
I find reading articles as opposed to merely looking at the pictures to be rather handy.
Fooman @ May 22nd 2008 12:53PM
More of a clarification to the other posts, where people said it looked the same I am on the same page as you.
Torrent @ May 21st 2008 5:32PM
It's just like the Mazda6 5 door, except this one sucks.
BMWdownshift @ May 21st 2008 5:34PM
If it's Uber expensive and a BMW I will buy it.
IK47 @ May 22nd 2008 2:48AM
so you think all BMW drivers just buy them for the branding?
or you think most BMW drivers just buy them for the branding?
maybe it's because the population around you is like that.
but please don't generalize your findings for the rest of the world.
1337 @ May 22nd 2008 6:46PM
G35 > 335i, and it's cheaper and is as big as a 5series. It beat or tied the 335i in many road tests. Got a better reason than the badge to buy the BMW?
SPG @ May 21st 2008 5:38PM
And Saab moved away from liftbacks/hatchbacks to be more mainstream.
Wow, now I'd like a real new Saab please.
This BMW should do the trick in the meantime.
CalGuy @ May 21st 2008 6:00PM
Exactly. Saab... are you watching? This is your chance with the new 9-5 to get with the SPORT, the UTILITY.. in one fast, sleek sexy sedan that goes both ways. It's a wake up call..
Good for BMW though. People moving out of SUVs still recognize that utility is invaluable -even if they don't want a wagon (why I don't know, but that's an argument for another day).
sfast @ May 21st 2008 10:35PM
sexy and goes both ways?
Didn't I see that personal add on craigs list?
nardi @ May 21st 2008 5:44PM
Its only in the US that people have a problem with hatch backs, the whole of europe and most of the world loves them, and why not, it looks the same as the sedan but you can access the space in rear much more efectivly. Yes there is the same volume as the 4 door but with a huge gaping hole at the back you can actually get stuff in there instead of trying to squeeze it through the doors.