How will it drive?

The new 5 might be bigger, but BMW claims it's lost none of the agility that was among the top selling points of its predecessors. 'It is as responsive as a smaller 3 Series', says Dr Klaus Draeger, the company's research and development chief.

The basic suspension has been adapted from that in the 7 and the 5 GT, and you can add BMW's adaptive drive chassis electronics. These allow personalisation of the suspension characteristics, steering assistance, throttle response.

With the active steering option, you even get a tighter turning circle for town manoeuvres. 'You can have comfort or sportiness at the flick of a switch,' says Draeger.