BMW 5 Series: in the metal - In the cabin

The dashboard flows round into the door panels and houses a centre console that's angled slightly towards the driver. Black panel technology hides some of the displays until they're needed, giving the car a less cluttered look.

A centrally mounted screen and the latest, much simplified version of BMW's iDrive central control unit give access to many functions, and steering wheel control switches take care of most of the rest.

Quality, as you'd expect from BMW, is top-notch and there's a wide choice of colour schemes. Leather trim and automatic air-con are standard, emphasising the improved value of the latest 5 Series.