Recently redesigned in the ground-up, BMW’s executive express presently has the looks of the scaled-down 7-Series.

Available in both sedan and estate versions, with a variety of engines running from the relatively modest 2.5 litre to the wonderful V8 4.0 litre unit, the priority from the 5-Series is comfort, but this isn’t in the tariff of clean handling and road holding.

An M5 variant was recently shown, but it is thought to be at here no sooner than late 2005. That old 5-Series would be a tough act to follow along with it remains to appear when the distinct looks from the new model will deter former buyers from sticking with 5.