So much for BMW's preparations to take the wraps off the production-ready 5-Series Gran Turismo this upcoming weekend. Following an earlier leak this morning, a string of photos made their way around the internet revealing the controversial model in detail. As anticipated, the 5-Series GT has remained faithful to the concept car that was previewed for the first time at the Geneva motor show in March. To put it bluntly, the GT is quite possibly, one of the most weirdest cars ever produced by BMW. First of all, it's no Gran Turismo, at least not in the way we think of GTs.
What we see as an outlandish fusion of bits and pieces from sedans, station wagons, fastbacks, coupes, MPVs, SUVs and bulgy buttocks, the Bavarian automaker views as a SAV which is short for 'Sport Activity Vehicle' - yes, something in the likes of an X6 saloon. The 5-Series GT supposedly blends the sporty shape of a fastback with the elevated seating position of an SUV, the cargo-hauling versatility of an MPV and the roominess of a 7-Series. Go figure.The idea may sound nice on paper, but judging by these photos, we're not at all convinced about the aesthetic result. Could be that the 5-Series GT looks better in person, but we wouldn't place any bets on it.
The car's exterior and interior styling is evidently influenced by the new 7-Series, though with a somewhat sportier flair, as well as by the 2008 CS sport sedan concept car. Unique features include frameless doors -a first for a BMW sedan, a two-piece rear hatch that can open either as a whole or partially through a trapdoor underneath the window and sliding rear seats that can move fore-and-aft. Unlike the concept car, the 5-Series GT will be offered with a five-seat layout as standard, but buyers will be able to opt for a pair of individual rear bucket sport seats.
The GT rides on an modified version of the next-generation 5-Series sedan's platform. Measuring 4,998 mm (197-inches) in length, 1,901 mm (74.8-inches) in width and 1,559 mm (61.4-inches) in height with a limo-like 3,070 mm (120.9-inches) wheelbase, the GT is larger than the current 5-Series in every dimension.
Up until now, we only know of three power plants that will be made available on the 5-Series GT. These include two gasoline engines, the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six with 306HP for the 535i GT that goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.3 seconds and the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 408HP for the 550i GT that hits the 100km/h mark in 5.5 seconds. There's also a 3.0-liter turbo diesel with 245HP for the 530d GT that sprints from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.9 seconds. All model variants come as standard with the eight-speed automatic transmission that was previously available only in the BMW 760i V12.
The public unveiling of the 5-Series GT will take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September. Sales are expected to start on both sides of the Atlantic by winter 2009.
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Engine variants:
BMW 535i Gran Turismo: straight-six gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo, High Precision Injection and VALVETRONIC,
Capacity: 2,979 cc,
max output: 225 kW/306 hp at 5,800 rpm,
max torque: 400 Nm/295 lb-ft from 1,200–5,000 rpm,
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 6.3 seconds,
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph),
Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 8.9 Liter/100 kilometres,
equal to 31.7 mpg imp,
CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 209 g/km,
emission standard: EU5
BMW 550i Gran Turismo:
V8 gasoline engine with TwinPower Turbo and High Precision Injection
Capacity: 4, 395 cc,
max output: 300 kW/407 hp from 5, 500–6,400 rpm,
max torque: 600 Nm/442 lb-ft from 1,750–4,500 rpm
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 11.2 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 25.2 mpg imp
CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 263 g/km,
emission standard: EU5
BMW 530d Gran Turismo:
straight-six diesel engine with aluminium crankcase and third-generation common-rail direct fuel injection (piezo-injectors),
max injection pressure: 1,800 bar
Capacity: 2,993 cc,
max output: 180 kW/245 hp at 4,000 rpm,
max torque: 540 Nm/398 lb-ft from 1,750–3,000 rpm
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 6.9 seconds
Top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
Average fuel consumption to the EU standard: 6.5 litres/100 kilometres,
equal to 43.5 mpg imp
CO2 emissions to the EU standard: 173 g/km,
emission standard: EU5
