The question is has BMW played it safe with the all new 5 Series? Yes, yes they have… Or have they? On the styling front alone it looks like BMW have gone down the conservative route but at least it does have a few Chris Bangle era (if subtle) ‘flame surface’ treatment to areas of the exterior styling. By way of contrast the new 5 Series’ rival, the Mercedes E Class, looks far more flamboyant especially the interior which would find favour with the late Liberace for sure.  Fortunately a disgruntled BMW employee decided to release details of the new 5 Series early, that was over a week and now as the dust settles we have finally had time to digest this momentous news. Well actually we’re the laziest journalists… in the world. Nevertheless the new BMW 5 Series will be available in the UK by February 2017 and is effectively offered in two trim levels, SE and M Sport. Both models will also have all wheel drive derivatives with the introduction of BMW’s fully variable all-wheel-drive xDrive system. Standard equipment highlights for the SE trim will include 17-inch alloys, Active Air Stream Kidney Grille to aid aerodynamic efficiency, LED headlights, Sat/Nav heated front seats, DAB, BMW Connected Services, Tyre Pressure monitoring, Bluetooth and crucially an automatic only. Of course there will be optional extras and BMW will cater for more enthusiastic drivers with the M Sport Plus package. This includes sports suspension, 19 or 20-inch alloys, a broader exterior styling and a premium 600w sound system. This comes at a £3k asking price. There is also a technology package and Visibility package which is self explanatory as much as it will be expensive. Two diesels, 520d and 530d will be offered in addition to two petrol engines, the 530i and 540i. The entry level SE 520d will be powered by the 2.0litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel which outputs 190bhp, although BMW have yet to confirm prices leaked information suggests the entry level model will cost £36k GBP. The SE xDrive derivative will cost £38k. The 530i powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder with 249bhp while the 540i straight-six will output 335 bhp, 3.0-liter inline-six. The 530i SE is expected to retail at £40,120 The 540i xDrive SE will start at £46,645.