The International Forum (iF) Design award once again recognises the unique aesthetics of BMW Group Design. The new BMW 5 Series saloon and the new BMW 5 Series Touring have been presented with the coveted iF award for outstanding product design.
The iF award is the third award for the new 5 Series along with the Federal Republic of Germany and the 2010 red dot award. These awards are cementing the new 5 Series' place in its class as well as highlighting its class leading design and technology.
Why is the iF Product Design Award so coveted? Since it was inaugurated in 1953, the Product Design Award has been a trademark distinction bestowed on exceptional design. The iF label recognises outstanding design achievements and as such provides a platform for companies to submit their products for a professional assessment of their design quality by an international panel of experts.
In 2011 2,756 products were submitted by 1,121 participants from all over the world. In the Transportation Design category BMW's 5 Series really impressed the judges. Both the saloon and touring variants of the 5 series won the iF Gold Award, which only selects the 50 "best of the best".
The unique quality of BMW Group Design has been frequently recognised in recent years by the iF Product Design Award. In 2010 the award went to the BMW F 800 R motorcycle, while in 2009 the BMW Group scooped up no fewer than eight awards.
BMW's high level of quality and commitment to design can be seen in some older models too, a used BMW 7 Series in London still looks modern and turns head, not just because of its exterior design but because of the attention to detail in the interior too.