Earlier this month, BMW unveiled its new 5 Sequence Touring mannequin, which, whereas boasting an array of superior options, has made a notable exclusion: the rear glass opening characteristic. This variation marks a departure from earlier fashions, the place the comfort of opening simply the rear glass provided fast entry to the trunk with out the necessity to open your entire tailgate. Traditionally, the rear glass opening was a valued comfort for loading smaller objects into the trunk or permitting air flow with out opening the tailgate. It was additionally a helpful characteristic for drivers who had pets and wanted fast entry to them.

The Design Allegedly Killed This Characteristic

After all, BMW’s resolution might be influenced by a number of elements, together with design aesthetics, area and price effectivity. Streamlining the tailgate meeting with out the separate rear glass mechanism might result in a sleeker profile, doubtlessly bettering aerodynamics and gas effectivity. Furthermore, simplifying the tailgate’s development would possibly improve reliability and scale back manufacturing prices, however we needed to ask.

Throughout our dialog with the product supervisor of the BMW 5 Sequence Touring, we posed the query: What prompted BMW to eradicate a characteristic as simple and helpful because the rear glass opening? In accordance with the product supervisor, the removing of the tailgate window opening characteristic has to do with the extra coupeish design of the rear finish. With the intention to enhance the coefficient drag – which additionally helps with the vary of the electrical variants – BMW designed a extra sloping roof and a extra upright trunk. Moreover, the person in control of the automobile tells us that by eradicating the the opening of the tailgate window, the trunk quantity will not be compromised.

Price Slicing?

Now, we’re not engineers, nor designers, so we are able to’t problem that assertion, nevertheless it’s additionally a bit far fetched to imagine that the window mechanism would have considerably affected the cargo area and the aero drag. We pushed again a bit asking whether or not that is merely a price reducing measure, however BMW caught to its unique reply. No matter what the rationale was, this transformation didn’t sit nicely with all BMW aficionados. Lengthy-time followers who appreciated the practicality and comfort of the rear glass opening view its omission as a step again in consumer expertise.

We’d even argue {that a} automobile on this phase ought to emphasize versatility and comfort, particularly since this can be a characteristic embedded within the DNA of the 5 Sequence Touring for the reason that unique E34. Though BMW could recommend that knowledge signifies a decline in iDrive controller utilization, there seems to be no concrete proof to recommend that prospects lacked curiosity within the tailgate window opening characteristic. Come on, BMW!

Replace: BMW of North America additionally acknowledged to Motor1 that the design influenced this resolution.