Road Test: 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
Review and images by Russell Purcell
Just when you thought the BMW vehicle catalogue couldn’t get any bigger, the German luxury brand follows up last year’s segment-busting X6 sport activity vehicle with another unique offering looking to create a niche in the marketplace. The 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is an interesting vehicle as it melds the best features of a luxury sedan with elements from a crossover utility vehicle (CUV). The resulting “touring” vehicle has been designed to handle all your passenger and cargo duties while maintaining the comfortable and predictable handling characteristics of one of BMW’s outstanding sedans.
The GT derives its platform and current powertrain from the 750i, although it has been designated as a member of the 5-Series family of cars due to future plans for the model (550i GT). This means that the GT offers similar comfort and performance levels to the 750i but at a substantially lower purchase price. Although the GT may actually snipe some buyers away from the more expensive 7-Series, BMW product planners recognize that the GT’s off-beat looks will attract a decidedly different customer to showrooms.
The shape is distinctive and resembles a large hatchback – not unlike Porsche’s Panamera in concept, albeit less aggressive. The look is very modern and showcases some of the design elements of the all-new 5-Series models which will soon arrive on our shores. The vehicle is long and wide, and features a raised roofline. These design elements ensure that the GT’s cabin provides outstanding passenger comfort and maximum cargo space. It also sits higher than a traditional sedan, but step-in height is more comfortable than that of a traditional SUV or CUV design. The driver and occupants benefit from the increased visibility that comes with an elevated seating position and tall windows.
The front visage maintains the twin kidney grilles and BMW’s sleepy-eyed headlights, while the rear of the car features distinctive taillights that resemble a stack of long, neon tubes when illuminated. Despite its unique profile, the GT is immediately recognizable as a BMW product, aided in part by its predecessor the X6.
The interior features a four-passenger layout that BMW’s marketing department refers to as a “lounge-like atmosphere.” You would have to be an actual giant to find yourself lacking sufficient room to stretch out in this vehicle, as the rear compartment puts most first-class jumbo jet cabins to shame. Rear seat passengers will be entertained by twin display screens (part of the $3,500 Multi-Media Package) on which they can view DVDs from the 6-disc changer, or even control individual selections from the hard-drive, CDs or 3-band radio, as well as view and plan details of the navigation system.
My test unit was dressed for the financial district in Neptune Blue Metallic paint, but the Ivory White Dakota leather used for the seating surfaces was a bad choice in my opinion as it already showed staining from the clothing of previous occupants. The heated and ventilated seats were buttery soft, comfortable for long trips, and very supportive when it came time to explore the car’s formidable handling and acceleration.
Most of the controls and switchgear fall readily to both hand and eye. The simple gauge cluster is comprised of four large dials which proved very easy to read with white lettering and markings on black faces. At the bottom of the over-sized tachometer there is a clever Efficient Dynamics scale to let you know when the innovative re-generative braking system is in action charging the car’s battery. BMW claims this system will also improve fuel efficiency by as much as five percent.
The Gran Turismo is loaded with luxurious appointments and high-quality materials, and the level of fit-and-finish is exceptional. All the niceties one expects in a high-end executive sedan – GPS navigation, satellite radio, advanced climate control systems and an incredible audio system – are present and accounted for, including BMW’s iDrive system which has become far more user friendly and intuitive. Unique interior lighting throughout the cabin casts a subtle orange glow across the door panels at night. I didn’t find it distracting at all.
Safety is a priority at BMW so the car comes equipped with adaptive Xenon headlamps, Park Distance Control, a full array of airbags and run-flat performance tires. Available equipment packages offer rear and side-view cameras to assist visibility when parking, Active Blind Spot detection, Lane Departure Warning, and a Heads Up Display. BMW’s Night Vision System is also available as an option ($2,500).
The rectangular, two-part tailgate can be opened via the remote, and should you need to haul large loads or longer items, the rear seats fold almost flat. A handy ski sack is included to keep your equipment from soiling the interior. Great care was taken to separate the cargo area from the passenger compartment so that passengers would feel like they are in a sedan and to prevent noise and smells from interrupting the serenity of the space. When transporting larger luggage items such as golf bags and suitcases, the entire tailgate can be opened, revealing up to 1,700 litres of space.
The rakish roofline and wide rear shoulders hint of the performance potential hidden beneath the 550i GT’s shapely hood. The 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 features direct injection, and is mated to BMW’s first production eight-speed automatic transmission. Presently, this is the only combination offered, but all-wheel drive (Xdrive) and a turbocharged six-cylinder model will join the party in the future. Acceleration is the strength of this well-sorted combination, and the ultra-smooth gearbox does an excellent job of keeping the engine’s abundant torque (450 lb-ft) always at your beck and call, while at the same time promoting optimal fuel efficiency when operating at highway speeds.
My test vehicle came equipped with the optional Adaptive Drive and Integral Active Steering systems. These two marvels help limit body roll (and lean) and sharpen steering (adjusts the steering angle based on speed of travel) respectively, allowing the GT to perform more like a sports car when the road becomes twisty. The long wheelbase, wide track, sport-tuned suspension, and big 20-inch performance wheels and tires made the car a comfortable cruiser and the stable ride inspired confidence when behind the wheel. Remember, much of the GT’s infrastructure comes from the phenomenal 7-Series sedan, a mechanical gene-pool that blesses this new model with ‘no compromise’ levels of both handling and comfort.
Increased environmental awareness and the downturn in the world economy have made it less socially acceptable to park an SUV in your driveway. However, there are many consumers who require high-capacity vehicles to haul passengers and cargo on a regular basis, and for whom the minivan has no appeal (due to vanilla packaging, generic performance, and the negative social stigma they carry) and for whom the station wagon is too small. The stylish Gran Turismo offers buyers a versatile alternative that carries the panache of the BMW nameplate and definitely stands out from the crowd.
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