The current BMW 5-series looks like a Pontiac. Will the next one look like a Hyundai?

It's no secret that there are A LOT of people who are not fond of the current BMW designs.

The only hope for some of us staunch BMW fans (like us), was holding out to see what the next generation would bring, so we could just brush these current designs under the rug and go on with our lives.

But based on what the photoshops are showing for the next generation, the BMW we once knew could be gone forever.

This AutoBild rendering shows the next 5-series and we have to say, if this is close to what it will look like, we aren't impressed!

Do you see the resemblance we see between the 5 and the current Hyundai Sonata rear end treatment?

BMW, PLEASE say it isn't so!

If there's still time RUN, don't walk back to the drawing boards.

We're praying this was just a result of a magazine artist having a bad day!

But with the track record of AutoBild and their reputation for accuracy on these types of spy photoshops, we're REALLY starting to worry!

DrCallosum - 7/12/2006 6:18:21 AM

-1 Boost

Somehow i really dont think it will. I actually like the 5 series design classy with alot of presences and when you drive past one you definitely see it dont you and when we park ours on the road I cant help but notice people have a good look at it. Weve also heard nothing but good by people that comment on it and my grandfather has a 2003 e500 and we took him for a drive in our 550i and believe me hewas converted in a matter of seconds... Getting back on topic i think the refresher 5 series will be just as good as the current if not better e.g. 7 series

Y2006 - 7/12/2006 6:38:17 AM

-1 Boost

What Pontiac does it look like??

MunichRob - 7/12/2006 7:22:55 AM

+1 Boost

A Grand Am.

sulev - 7/12/2006 7:25:50 AM

-1 Boost

I'd have to agree with AussieBimmerRep 5 Series design may not suit to everyone's liking, but it surely looks bold and striking. In other word, distinctive. You’d have to salute the designer team for that audacious move, taking the risk and pay well for the dividend.
I just got back from a business trip to Singapore, man.. I saw a lot of the 5 Series driving around the town. I don’t know the sales figures in that country, but I suspect it would be inspiring numbers. I don’t know about you guys, but from what I’ve seen, it seems a pretty good sign that the new radical design is well accepted.

MunichRob - 7/12/2006 7:34:41 AM

-1 Boost

I Love BMW's, there my favourite...but everytime i see the 5-series on the road i just think to myself; why is it so ugly when a 6-series is so beautiful? They need to do a serious mid-life facelift, it worked great for the 7-series. Unfortunatley 5-series sales are stronger than any previous 5-series models, meaning we most likely won't see a dramatic facelift.

I almost get depressed knowing what a great car it could be, if they just had got the styling right damb it!

hallll - 7/12/2006 8:03:35 AM

+2 Boost

Despite their looks, Bangle's disturbing/disjointed visions continue to be relative sales successes (amazing). BMW’s began their world conquering market surge as ugly but supremely designed/built cars. Bangle’s leadership has come home to ugly, but dropped the engineering excellence. As the trannies continue to drop, the frames continue to twist, people who bought Bangle’s beasts, despite their looks, will reluctantly go away and buy the Hyundai look-alike or reach back and restore a classic (like I did with an E24).

MBFan604 - 7/12/2006 9:10:14 AM

0 Boost

The design right now is good i think. It's something different. The picture above really looks like the Sonata. BAD BMW! BAD!. I think MB will leap ahead in the design department. If they keep the current 5 look then it's the best they can do for now.

DarkOneForce - 7/12/2006 9:14:26 AM

0 Boost

Pontiac Grand AM ?!
Are some people blind ?!

The split twin kidey grille and Hofmeister kink are BMW trademarks used since the 1930s witch Pontiac incorporated to make people belive it's the poor man's BMW.

Anyway Photoshop chop people.
Duh...

SixxFive - 7/12/2006 11:50:26 AM

-1 Boost

I think the current 5 looks cool and edgy. While the haters continue to bash bangle, I find it interesting how many other makes of cars have copied aspects of bangle's designs. The current 5 makes the previous generation look sleepy and boring. The next gen 5 looks like it will be another winner.

quizz - 7/12/2006 2:54:01 PM

+2 Boost

I love the current 5-series. I agree with Bangle, the current 5 design is the best of the midsized sedans out there. The current E already looks dated, the A6 has always been conservative and understated, and the GS has never impressed (style wise).

MercBasher - 7/12/2006 2:55:26 PM

-1 Boost

I think the 5 series is the best of the current batch of BMWs - unlike some I think the 6 series is bloated and unattractive. However this new model, if the magazine is accurate, changes everything it is so bland it begs the question why did BMW take a detour for a decade and try to shake up designs and then return to boredom?

kart1 - 7/12/2006 5:06:37 PM

0 Boost

looks kind of like an infiniti with the sonata tail lights

Jay7 - 7/12/2006 5:42:46 PM

+1 Boost

I'm loving this design. While it does have the sonata tail lights, it looks aggressive and sporty, yet still luxurious. Most of all, I'm happy that the back quarter-panel was redesigned. The back quarter-panel/trunk area on the current model looks just bad. That's the only way to describe it.

Jovi - 7/12/2006 5:59:10 PM

+2 Boost

I dont know, I thought BMWs were around for much longer... so wouldnt that make a Pontiac look like a BMW? Just like how every other car is trying to design their cars like the 7er? I dunno what you guys are talking about...

validus00 - 7/12/2006 6:37:57 PM

+3 Boost

WHAT A RETARDED POST. IT SHOULDN'T EVEN DESERVE THIS MUCH ATTENTION BECAUSE THAT BMW IN THAT PIC DOESN'T EVEN FOLLOW CURRENT BMW DESIGN TRENDS. IT LACKS THE POPULAR BANGLIZED BOOTLID, WHICH CAN NOW BE FOUND IN THE NEW S-CLASS AND NEW LEXUS CARS. IN THIS INSTANCE, THE MAGAZINE ARTIST CLEARLY LACKED IMAGINATION AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL WHEN HE CREATED THIS PHOTOSHOPPED PIC. HE PROBABLY HATES CHRIS BANGLE AND WANTED TO CREATE CONTROVERSIES ABOUT CURRENT BMW DESIGNS. I GIVE THIS POST A 1/5 STARS.

Jovi - 7/12/2006 7:25:58 PM

+3 Boost

well stated Validus00

bm75204 - 7/12/2006 7:45:51 PM

-1 Boost

Artist renderings and photoshops a few years before a car's release are worthless. I just hope the next 5-Series is better than the current model, though it could hardly be worse. I went from a 2001 530i to a 2003 540i 6-speed when I saw pics of the E60 model, then went to a Mercedes E-Class after the 540. I love BMWs, but couldn't justify $50-60K to put ugly in my garage.

BMWMPower - 7/12/2006 8:44:35 PM

+3 Boost

Whoever put this story together is an utter twit. What next? Oh the CL taillights look like an acura or a Mitsubishi? Sod off and grow a brain.

SixxFive - 7/12/2006 10:22:00 PM

+4 Boost

BMWMPower....I share your sentiments. Actually someone, I think it was Junku, the "carman", said the CL looked like an Acura and that he wasn't going to buy one....LOL.

BMW530i - 7/13/2006 8:19:11 AM

+4 Boost

No comment, a horrible photochop is not worth an argument.

BM3W - 7/13/2006 12:50:19 PM

+2 Boost

I like the looks of the 5 series. The 550i looks and performance are simply amazing.

PlanoA4 - 7/13/2006 3:06:50 PM

-2 Boost

BMW4Ever.... People will buy a pile of poop if the BMW logo is on it. Good marketing does that.

jochet - 7/16/2006 7:40:38 PM

+1 Boost

I'm always intrigued by what readers of this site have to say about BMW cars, I have owned 6 of them and currently drive a 2007 550i. Taste is one thing, bashing is another, the current 5 series car is a drivers car that has no equal. This is not because of their marketing, it's because this car is amazing. If a reader cannot afford to own one then just appreciate it as a great car, the same way I look at Ferrari's, I can not afford to buy one, but they are in a class of their own, Just like the new 5 series, especially the 550i.

hallll - 7/18/2006 7:03:30 AM

+1 Boost

Stating the obvious here, ‘taste is subjective’. BMW sells about 5,000 Bangle-Butt 5-Series every month and Pontiac sold over 20,000 Aztec’s in 2004, go fig. Styling can be fixed in a refresh cycle, engineering and production reputations linger generations and BMW’s rep is becoming more Pontiac-ish every day. The Roundel, BMWCCA’s official rag is now recommending club racers buy Hondas instead of ‘ANY’ of the new crop of BMW’s because of recurrent structural failures – across all model lines. Transmissions are almost literally dropping out of their high horsepower sedans. In C&D’s recent 5 way $100K luxo coupe comparison, the hideous 6-Series came in 4th with the reviewers saying “lucky it didn’t finish fifth”!, that would be a Cadillac it nosed out.

shiftright - 7/18/2006 5:00:08 PM

+1 Boost

It is not very difficult to confuse the Gran Am with the Bangled 5th actually. So sad.