Interesting article in today's WSJ Sec. B about the new 5 Series.
05-19-2003, 11:38 AM
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Honestly, u summed up the article nicely! ;-)
A Bangle comment was included. He comments that the (nasty) 7 series trunk is shaped such so that it's aerodynamic because marketing wanted a larger boot. HA!
Bottom line the piece states, is that after the 7 series mess and the Z4 poor start (also styling challenged), BMW can not have a repeat with the 5.
Bottom line the piece states, is that after the 7 series mess and the Z4 poor start (also styling challenged), BMW can not have a repeat with the 5.
05-19-2003, 11:44 AM
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Link...
<A HREF="http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB105329203796714300.djml,00.html?mod=DAU">Subs criber link</A>
It discusses backlash over styling and iDrive.
Brief clip:
"The new 5-Series corrects some of the 7-Series's shortcomings. The iDrive is supplemented with conventional controls, including those for temperature, fan and stereo volume. Shutting off the navigation system -- which with the first iDrive required scrolling through two menus and four clicks of the **** -- now takes just a push of a button on the steering wheel. Its trunk line and tail lights flow seamlessly into the rear window and side panels, eliminating the bulges of the 7-Series back end.
"The new 5-Series also sports an optional "heads-up" display that projects dashboard readings onto the windshield -- like in a fighter jet -- so drivers can keep their eyes on the road. An advanced steering system enables drivers to corner at higher speeds with only modest turns of the wheel. During a recent press preview of the car on the Italian isle of Sardinia, the vehicle zipped through winding mountain roads with only modest turns of the steering wheel. On the highway, a stability system prevents slight tugs on the wheel from making the car twitchy.
"Compared with the old 5-Series, the new model is bigger, offering more 15% more trunk room, something American customers wanted. Yet it's also 165 pounds lighter because of an aluminum front end. Outfitted with a 231-horsepower, in-line six-cylinder gasoline engine, the car hits 60 mile per hour in less than seven seconds.
"Yet the two cars share many similarities. Like the 7-Series, the 5 sports creases running the length of the car above broad side surfaces that roll from slightly concave to slightly convex. Talking to reporters at a reception here, Mr. Bangle said the contours cut down on wind resistance -- the 5-Series is the most aerodynamic car BMW has built."
Then it gives some background on Bangle.
Concludes with this:
"During the press preview in Sardinia, in the glow of the new 5-Series, Mr. Bangle shrugged off the criticism. "The [7-Series] trunk serves a purpose. It's aerodynamic. Some people don't like it, but that's going to happen."
"The compact 1-Series, due later this year, and the next 3-Series will clearly resemble the Z4's surface design. "The 1-Series is about youth. It's fun," Mr. Bangle said. The 6-Series, also due this year, will be a coupe version of the 7-Series. But like the 5-Series, it won't copy the trunk."
This <A HREF="http://wsj.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=1389627746" >link</A> may work.
It discusses backlash over styling and iDrive.
Brief clip:
"The new 5-Series corrects some of the 7-Series's shortcomings. The iDrive is supplemented with conventional controls, including those for temperature, fan and stereo volume. Shutting off the navigation system -- which with the first iDrive required scrolling through two menus and four clicks of the **** -- now takes just a push of a button on the steering wheel. Its trunk line and tail lights flow seamlessly into the rear window and side panels, eliminating the bulges of the 7-Series back end.
"The new 5-Series also sports an optional "heads-up" display that projects dashboard readings onto the windshield -- like in a fighter jet -- so drivers can keep their eyes on the road. An advanced steering system enables drivers to corner at higher speeds with only modest turns of the wheel. During a recent press preview of the car on the Italian isle of Sardinia, the vehicle zipped through winding mountain roads with only modest turns of the steering wheel. On the highway, a stability system prevents slight tugs on the wheel from making the car twitchy.
"Compared with the old 5-Series, the new model is bigger, offering more 15% more trunk room, something American customers wanted. Yet it's also 165 pounds lighter because of an aluminum front end. Outfitted with a 231-horsepower, in-line six-cylinder gasoline engine, the car hits 60 mile per hour in less than seven seconds.
"Yet the two cars share many similarities. Like the 7-Series, the 5 sports creases running the length of the car above broad side surfaces that roll from slightly concave to slightly convex. Talking to reporters at a reception here, Mr. Bangle said the contours cut down on wind resistance -- the 5-Series is the most aerodynamic car BMW has built."
Then it gives some background on Bangle.
Concludes with this:
"During the press preview in Sardinia, in the glow of the new 5-Series, Mr. Bangle shrugged off the criticism. "The [7-Series] trunk serves a purpose. It's aerodynamic. Some people don't like it, but that's going to happen."
"The compact 1-Series, due later this year, and the next 3-Series will clearly resemble the Z4's surface design. "The 1-Series is about youth. It's fun," Mr. Bangle said. The 6-Series, also due this year, will be a coupe version of the 7-Series. But like the 5-Series, it won't copy the trunk."
This <A HREF="http://wsj.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=1389627746" >link</A> may work.
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