5-Series ready to hatch

An amazing split-boot version of the 5-Series executive is on the cards at BMW, Auto Express can reveal.

The ‘TwinDoor‘ feature, similar to the one seen on the new Skoda Superb, means you can use the car like a saloon or a hatchback for greater practicality. Set to debut on the all-new evolution of the 5-Series, which is due to be launched in 2010, the system is still officially under review, but is understood to be a key element on the next car.

And while the current saloon model’s 520-litre boot means that storage has never been a problem, the versatility created by the hatchback option will add at least 80 litres to its capacity, making it comparable to the X5 SUV.

Split-folding rear seats will allow owners to easily carry awkward items, too. The hatchback model will slot into the range between the saloon and Touring estate variants. Our spies have already spotted the next-generation 5-Series testing near BMW’s headquarters in Germany. The prototype in our pictures is wearing heavy black cladding, but judging by the angle of the rear window, it’s clear that a hatchback version is entirely feasible.

Given the acclaim Skoda received for the Superb, it’s likely to prompt a wave of split-boot saloons in the future.