BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo released
May 25, 2009 by Matt Brogan
BMW has finally revealed the 5 Series Gran Turismo, a car which combines an understated coupé-like silhouette to the luxurious interior of a BMW 7 Series, while at the same time giving the functionality of a BMW 5 Series Touring or X5.
The 19th distinct model shape to be offered in the BMW portfolio has a vehicle length nearly on par with a BMW 7 Series to create a greater feeling of space for those inside.
This translates into the second greatest amount of legroom offered by any BMW while headroom is equivalent to that of a BMW X5. Meanwhile, boot space can be enhanced from 440 litres up to 1700 litres, only 50 litres behind the capacity of the BMW X5 and the second largest space compared to all current BMWs.
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is available as either a four-seat Executive specification car for a luxurious, spacious feel or in a five-seat SE configuration for a blend of sophistication and practicality.
But its truly innovative feature is a two-piece tailgate which is a first in the premium segment, giving an owner the option to choose between two ways of opening the rear of the vehicle depending on the objects needed to be stowed.
A more conventional saloon style boot opening provides access for smaller objects. This allows the cabin area to remain warm and without noise intrusion.
The hatch-style opening combined with a flexible partition comes into play should the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo owner wish to make full use of its load-lugging capacity.
The rear seats can be moved 100mm fore or aft to either increase boot space or provide greater legroom for rear seat passengers.
With the rear seats moved forwards, the seat backs folded virtually flat and the parcel shelf removed and stowed beneath the luggage compartment floor, much bulkier items can then be transported.
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo has been styled to represent its unique position in the market.
The familiar BMW kidney grilles and large air intakes hint at the car’s performance potential, while a roof line that curves downwards towards the rear and the frameless doors both give a coupé feel.
Inside, the seats are all set in a semi-command driving position for the best mix of forward vision yet comfortable access. One of the key features of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is the height of the seats.
Potential customers have expressed a desire for the luxury of a BMW 7 Series but also the feeling of security and all round visibility a car with a command driving position such as the BMW X5 offers.
Black Panel technology first shown on the BMW 7 Series features for an added touch of luxury. Black Panel technology is a signature piece of design that allows the displays of the centre console to double as a stylish trim.
The electronic displays are visible through the Black Panel technology when needed, but are discreet enough to form a stylish black band across the interior. Control switches in galvanised metal are set into the centre console by way of contrast.
Three models will be available at launch. The 530d, a 535i and a 550i.
Source: BMW
Tags: BMW 5 Series, BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
The article should’ve started like this:
“BMW is pleased to announce it managed to make the 5 Series even uglier”…
Sorry but not for me! Looks like BMW’s answer to Citroen CX2200 but 35 years too late! (mind you thatjudgement of it’s looks is purely by photo’s)
Or:
“BMW answers a question that nobody asked”…
Completely pointless, and not to mention, ugly.
GT is a fancy name for hatchback. Looks ugly with the oversize kidney grille.
Bring back Chris Bangle!!!
And people said the panamera was ugly..
Got to agree its ugly,interior looks good {even SteveH would be happy in that ;) }
I was thinking {more hoping }it would have taken its styling lines from the X6 but this is a mish mash of lines and it just doesnt flow.
BMW I think your trying to fill too many voids that you want to cash in on, let the wagons be wagons,the sedans be sedans and the X range be their own identity. The X6 has Coupe lines which look great but this is one big BMW vomit!
“But its truly innovative feature is a two-piece tailgate which is a first in the premium segment.”
Yes, this was innovative when Skoda did it on the Superb.
They should of just did a 3 series GT, the 5 is a bit too big for the hatchback style. Nevertheless it should be a great GT car despite the exterior.
Agree BM, interior looks nice, but all of those gadgets that will go wrong in ten years time. :)
The front and back look out of proportion from the side with bonnet too long and the hatch too short. Kind of makes Chris Bangles stuff look ok
In fact BMW customers have asked for a car such as this. This car is based on research on what their customers wanted in a car but didn’t yet exist. So in that sense it’s the most customer based car BMW ever created, I believe Chris Bangle mentioned this.
I can appreciate it for what it is, even though it maybe weird. No doubt in the future other car manufacturers will be coming out with more vehicles like this (once the economy picks up).
But agreed it doesn’t look too good from the pics, looks like a stretched and bloated 5 series which I suppose was what they were trying to achieve but styling could’ve been better.
Coming after the BMW X6 and the M versions of the X5 and X6, this abomination has confirmed my loyalty to the VAG group and Mercedes. The BMW brand is now a diluted amalgamation of bad ideas and poor execution.
Quote ” Agree BM, interior looks nice, but all of those gadgets that will go wrong in ten years time. :) ”
hahaha too true Steve,those seats look awfully comfy for traffic sitting though ;)
I like it. I don’t think it looks that good but this may be one of the most practical and best family cars on the market without sacrificing on badge cred. It’s probably a great drive and very comfortable and quiet as well. I don’t think people should talk about looks because that’s subjective. Im sure the people who buy it will love it and as I wrote, it appears that the main point of this car is to be spacious and practical, not beautiful. And besides, wouldn’t anybody else like to see a few less X5s on the school run and in town?
BMW X6? Yes Please!!! BMW 5 GT? Hell no!!! Does not look good at all. The X6 looks so much better than this. I’ve always liked Chris Bangles designs, but I just hate how this has departed from the design language that bangle created for the BMW brand. It just doesn’t look right. The bangle front end is also so much better.
With that said though, damn… that interior is freakin nice!!! +10 for the interior!!!
Yes BM, those seats look perfect for my ever expanding buttocks. Problem is, you would have to walk to and from the car blindfolded so as to not catch sight of the car.
This car is designed by Bangle and so is some of the upcoming ones. The designs for many cars were finalised when Bangle was still in charge.
Lol SteveH, I thought people only had that problem with Cayennes.
hahahaha ,Im sure the hosty will pass you a sick bag when you get in the back!
It looks like a robotic hedgehog.
The fact that they even DARED to call this fugly thing a Gran Turismo is unbelievable…
The maserati gt will just be watching an just laughing his tits off and snickering….hhahaahh
Those who think it is not pretty are probably right. But worse than the X6 – you have to be joking! The X6 is one of those rare cars that don’t look too good in pictures – but are even worse when seen on the road – like two different stylists did the job – one for the glasshouse and one for below the belt line – and neither matches the other and neither is good.
The best that can be said of the GT is that it it is rather Passat CC’ish – but will be $20K more and two years too late by the time it gets here.
I cant believe that you all dont appreciate its “understated coupe-like sihouette” which is “styled to represent its unique position in the market”.
I do like the interior though. Just right to take my posse of beatches to the streets hookin’ for johns. Probably comes with 70’s funk pre-programmed into the stereo.
Personally I don’t mind the look that much, take it or leave it kinda thing, but look around the net for some more photos, then tell me that silly little porthole in the back could somehow possibly double as a boot lid (if you did’t knock youself out when you hit your head on it).
I can see what they are trying to do here, but it hasn’t worked. It just doesn’t ‘feel’ BMW, whatever that means. Trying to be too many things to too many people I suppose, and all they are doing is straying from the core BMW theme. This and the X6 are the ugliest BM’s I’ve seen. Would still love an M3, 335 or a 135 though :-)
Yeah Hal, greed does horrible things to the design of cars sometimes.
Looks like a dressed up epica with a dressed up price. I would take the epica any day, cheaper and just as good.
Quote ” HoldenLuvR Says:
May 25th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Looks like a dressed up epica with a dressed up price. I would take the epica any day, cheaper and just as good. ”
Saying this is ugly is one thing but an Epica as good as it ?…Where can I get an interior like this in an Epica ,oh god Im turning into SteveH …hahaha ;)
Quote “HoldenLuvR Says:
May 25th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Looks like a dressed up epica with a dressed up price. I would take the epica any day, cheaper and just as good. ”
Of course this is far better than en Epica, look at how many design awards its engines have won… Oh wait, I started channeling BM there, must be catching
Hmmm, I actually like this, don’t know why. The interior looks good apart from the white leather, yuuuuck.
Actually, i’d take one in a M5 format. Then I won’t have to worry about it getting stolen =D
Aren’t those seats currently available? They look pretty ordinary to me – Maybe with the 5’s seating package thing (one of many pricey options =D).
BMW look like they’re shaking boots now (just look at the Honda Legend article and note that many people would consider this, the Passat CC etc. over a 520d) with the new ‘Clarity In Pricing’ law that’s come in (today) as BM’ve taken down all their web price lists =P
Another thing, if this is going to have a gigantomongous price premium, i’ve noticed that in my 63 the W204 C-Class has grown significantly and rival’s that of the 5 Series. To the point, isn’t that 160-170K better spent on a loaded C63 Estate?
It looks crap, but just because it has a BMW badge on it, people will say it is awesome. much prefer to buy a holden or ford, better price, just as well equipped as BMW and just as good quality.
Camski Says:
May 25th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
“BMW look like they’re shaking boots now …. with the new ‘Clarity In Pricing’ law that’s come in (today) as BM’ve taken down all their web price lists”
So what, almost every manufacturer has removed prices from the web sites ….oh except Toyota who have chosen to ignore the laws at this point.
Actually I take that back, it’s 7 Series sized despite being named 5 Series =S
Oh I see that Toyota are breaking the law on their Lexus website as well.
SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.
quote ” Of course this is far better than en Epica, look at how many design awards its engines have won… Oh wait, I started channeling BM there, must be catching”
hahaha , touché SteveH ! Hey at least I can support an argument ,the Siamese twins just disagree cause they dont like the truth then cant provide evidence to the contrary ,just small minded opinions with insults that follow! Nuff of that, Ill leave the steel caps off till they come back later :P ……….
it makes perfect sense to me for people who don’t want an SUV but want higher ride height and comfort.
the article stated that this was the 19th “distinct” body shape offered by BMW. I think what it was meant to say was ” this is the 19th “weird” car that BMW has produced
Don’t like it. It looks like a smaller and lower X6 in my opinion! BMW’s getting sad…………..
Yeah righto Shak…..and everything that comes out of GMs garage is great! If it was they wouldnt be in the sh*t they are now mate!
“Oh I see that Toyota are breaking the law on their Lexus website as well.” – DesignEngr
Well according to their site it’s been updated 25th May 2009 (today) and as far as I know, that’s fine. As long as all on road costs are included in the car’s RRP. Also see that although placed in the fine print, there is a clear link to statutory charges as well.
Don’t see any laws broken here, this is assuming that all prices stated by Lexus are correct.
No infact Toyota/Lexus are NOT complying.
They must not state a figure + ANYTHING. Link or not.
They may state a figure based on a particular example, eg Metro Sydney with no pension concessions, then add something like:
“Sydney metropolitan areas only – subject to variation” because anyone could go to Sydney metro area and buy it for that price, regardless if it was dearer in Melbourne.
But they must clearly state limitations on their offer.
Anyway, at the moment, by ACCC rules, they’ve got it wrong.
How come almost every articles turns into a Japanese or Toyota fest even if it’s completely unrelated?
being at the top is not easy.everyone wants to shoot at you.jealousy…of course
Love the X6; hate the 5GT.
The design under the headlights makes it look like it has bags under its eyes, as if it’d had a particularly rough night in Kings Cross, and then been beaten up.
Wonder why Bangle left when he did… perhaps to dissasociate himself from this type of thing?
Quote ” being at the top is not easy.everyone wants to shoot at you.jealousy…of course”
Exactly the Germans have always been at the the top of the car chain,so every one below gets compared to them :)
shame
pls get up from that chair,do some exercises and fresh your mind.then you will see the big picture.
JEALOUSY…..OF COURSE.
Yeah you tell them SOB….whoops Soon…….
i bet they would do a sweet job on a mobile home interior…..
They should have just lowered the X6 and left it at that.
As for being the answer to a question nobody asked – you could say the same about a number of other cars such as the: Mini Cabrio; Both TRDs; All Ssangyongs; Volvo C30;
Merc-Benz CLS; Porsche Panmera; Porsche Cayenne; Bugatti Veyron….
Sam says i bet they would do a sweet job on a mobile home interior…..
I don’t know Sam have you checked out the interior and the various features of the latest top of the range $400K Winnebago recently – BMW would have to work hard to try and top that.. However it would be interesting to see
I like the interior though but the exterior design sucks! I didn’t like it. Awful design.
The Audi A7 concept looks much better than this, I think anyway.
Gorgeous interior – I look forward to the next 5 series.
The exterior ugliness of this thing is even worse than the 1 series.
Smokin’ Says:
May 25th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
“much prefer to buy a holden or ford, better price, just as well equipped as BMW and just as good quality.”
Another rep mobile lover who’s been sniffing too much petrol…
I like the idea of calling it a BMW Fastback
I love the front-end, it has a real presence and looks very aggressive. The rear-end massively less so, especially from the rear-on view. The interior is typical new-age BMW, its quite nice and appears to be of a similar quality to the very nice X5/6 interior (my uncle owns an X5 3.0d).
I don’t like the rear seat as it has that stupid cover behind it…And 1700 litres with the seats down seems abit of a lie to me…
And also, why would they copy the Skoda Superb’s Twindoor on a car that is meant to be a hatchback (eg already a 5-door), unlike the Superb which is a sedan.
BMW seem so confused with their design, the new 7-series (which I love) rear comes off the 7-series about 3-gens ago, theres the X6 which I love but I can see why others wouldn’t, and then they have this thing! A car that serves no purpose if you think about it. If you want versatility you’d buy a 5-series wagon! Weird…
Eeew!
Is the BMW design studio close to Chernobyl?
I’d much rather [BMW Australia import] the BMW 335
X-drive.. its much better looking has all the usual BMW Features / Gadgets and an engine which produces 300Kw not to mention AWD – think of it BMWs version of an EVO
I see Toyot/Lexus have now finally caught up with the laws on pricing and removed their unlawfull pricing statements!