Cast your minds back to 2004; BMW was amidst the Bangle-era of design leadership and its 5th-gen E60 5 Series was fresh on the scene with a rather polarizing styling.

At the time, car enthusiasts were either lauding or hating the change in design direction. So regardless of what you thought of it, the E60 certainly stood out amongst its competitors.

Fast forward to 2016, and the German marque is on the verge of launching their latest, seventh-gen G30 5 Series. Will it look as polarizing as the aforementioned E60 or will it continue on the same conservative path as the current F10 model? Well let’s take an illustrated look (in M Sport guise) below.

Safe, evolutionary styling

Initial impressions of our spy shot-based illustration are fairly subdued. There is no Bangle peculiarity here – instead it’s a mash of the outgoing 5 and current 7 Series. Regardless, it’s still rather handsome.

Frontal styling is dominated by large air intakes, laser headlights and the largest pair of twin-kidney grilles to ever adorn a 5 Series. The profile bodywork displays an interesting crease, with a shoulder line beginning within the front fenders, then flaring out above the door handles. Rear-end styling is evolutionary, sharing elements from the 7 Series.

Powerful and frugal powertrains

Turbocharged four and six-cylinder petrol & diesel models are expected to be the bread and butter offerings of the G30 range. However, for the more frugal-minded, there will also be a 530e plug-in hybrid version. RWD and xDrive versions will be available across the lineup, as will a newly developed 9-speed auto.

Performance buffs will no doubt be eager to see what V8’s are on offer; the 550i is expected to continue with an updated 4.4-liter forced induction unit, while the barn-storming M5 will turn up the wick beyond the current flagship’s 560hp to around 600 horsepower.

Lightweight underpinnings

Like the G11/G12 7 Series, the G30 will make the switch to BMW’s new CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform. Using a mix of carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and aluminum to significantly reduce weight, this new platform will help with better performance, handling and fuel economy.

The new underpinnings will also allow for better interior packaging. Cabin styling is very much borrowed from the larger 7 Series, with tech goodies such as gesture control, wireless phone charging and remote parking to be offered, amongst many other gizmos.

Fierce, yet conservative competitors

BMW’s biggest competition will come from Mercedes-Benz’s latest E-Class – another luxury offering that borrows loads of tech and styling from its larger sibling. Of course, there is also the ageing Audi A6 to consider, along with Jaguar’s impressive new XF, Volvo S90, Infiniti Q70, Lexus GS, Cadillac CTS and perhaps even Lincoln’s stately new Continental, though not directly.

Globally, the new 5 Series will be offered in sedan, Touring and Gran Turismo configurations, with the M5 coming on-stream down the track. We still don’t know for sure where it will debut, but we might see the first 5-Series body-style at the Paris Motor Show later this year.

Final thoughts – have BMW gone too conservative and stale with the latest 5 Series or are they spot on with what fans want? Share your views in the comments below.

By Josh Byrnes

Photo Renderings Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

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