Everybody's producing exclusive models in Japan these days. A few days after Volkswagen introduced the Golf Erste Edition in the Land of the Rising Sun, fellow German automaker BMW->ke178 is set to have its own limited-run, Japan-exclusive model.

It's called the 5-Series->ke317 Executive Sport Edition and as you can tell, it's been tagged as an exclusive model by BMW because of the multitude of new features added to make it stand out from the rest of the 5-Series models out there.

Only 300 models of the 5-Series Executive Sport Edition will be made. Unfortunately, none of them will hit U.S. shores, so the closest thing we can come to looking at them is through the photos below.

That being said, it's not like we're missing a whole lot. It's still a 5-Series, which is available in our shores, albeit with a few added goodies. But in the end, we won't be losing a whole lot of sleep knowing that this model will only be available from halfway around the world.

Click past the jump to learn more about the BMW 5-Series Executive Sport Edition

2013 BMW 5-Series Exclusive Sport Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 BMW 5-Series Exclusive Sport Edition
  • Engine/Motor: DOHC
  • Horsepower: 184
  • Torque: 190
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Surprisingly, this special-edition 5 Series does come with aesthetic exterior enhancements. It's not much - a new bodykit that includes bespoke bumpers and side skirts and a set of 19-inch wheels - but it does give the German saloon a little more character than its standard counterparts. Plus, BMW is also offering a choice of two colors - White and Carbon Black - that'll at least add some variety to choose from.

Interior

Inside, you'll find more unique additions that justify the car being called the "Exclusive Sport Edition". For starters, contoured sports seats are offered, as is a new three-spoke M steering wheel. The former, in fact, together with parts of the door panel and the lower section of the dashboard have been dressed in Cinnamon Brown leather. We can tell you that we've never seen the color Cinammon Brown used in such fashion before, but it works on the 5-Series Exclusive Sport Edition.

What makes the Exclusive Sport even better is when you complement it with a Black piano trim, an "Exclusive Sports" plaque, a head-up display and a modified audio system.

Performance

As far as performance goes, the 5 Series Exclusive Sport Edition is available in both sedan and touring guises with a pair of different powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine that develops 184 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque and a 2.0-liter diesel engine that also produces 184 horsepower and 280 pound-feet.

Pricing

The BMW 5 Series Exclusive Sport Edition has been priced depending on the 5 Series model it will come with.

Model

Price (Yen)

Price (USD)

523i Exclusive Sport

7.19 million

72,421

523d BluePerformance Exclusive Sport

7.42 million

74,740

523i Touring Exclusive Sport

7.49 million

75,430

523d BluePerformance Touring Exclusive Sport

7.72 million

77,750


Competition

Volvo S60

The BMW 5 Series Exclusive Sport Edition is offered using the base model, so don't expect it to go competing with the likes of the Mercedes E-Class or the Audi A6. What it does compare to is a car like the Volvo S60, which if we're being honest, really doesn't belong in the class of the 5 Series as far as prestige is concerned.

The S60 does have a few favorable characteristics to it, including its own set of powertrain options to go with some aerodynamic upgrades similar to BMW's M Sports Package.

In terms of looks, we have to give credit to Volvo: the company has come a long way from the days when it deemed boxy and unimaginative designs as the way to go. These days, the Swedish automaker has more than taken an interest in adding more appeal to its lineup, including the S60. Due credit is deserved for that one.

However, the 5 Series is still the 5 Series, and is considered as one of BMW's best models. It's hard to pick the S60 over the 5-Series knowing full well that the latter's got more appeal to it than the former.

Conclusion

It's only limited to the Japanese market, so there's little to no chance that we see this special-edition model in our shores. That being said, it does have some pretty interesting qualities to it, but not enough to move our meter.