BMW creates yet another new niche market with the 5-series Gran Turismo ...

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

BMW's research and development department have mastered the art of finding answers to questions nobody had previously thought of asking. Whether these questions were not asked before for a good reason is up for debate. One of BMW's earlier answers was the X6, which combined elements of the 6-series coupe and the X5 SUV. Now BMW have created another niche market with the 5-Series Gran Turismo, which was previously shown in Concept form. The car holds the middle between a regular 5-Series and a hatchback. It features a longer wheelbase than the standard 5-Series and has a massive boot with a lid that hinges at the roof.
The new BMW will come with a choice of three engines, including a new twin-turbo straight six (535i), an earth thumping common-rail diesel (530d) and the latest twin-turbo V8, which powers the top of the line 550i model. The highly efficient eight cylinder engine produces a hefty 407 bhp, yet is more frugal than its predecessors thanks to its direct fuel injection. The engines are mated to an automatic that, for good measure, has eight forward speeds. The 550i Gran Turismo will hit the markets this fall.
We can only wonder what will come out of the Munich R&D department next. A thoroughly conventional but efficient sports car would be an answer to a question many people do ask.

2009 BMW 550i Gran Turismo - Images, Specifications and Information (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/4141/BMW-550i-Gran-Turismo.html)

Regards,
Wouter Melissen

[LeonOfTheDead]

NO.
I said NO.
It's enormous, it's heavy, it's desperately ugly.
Please welcome the sedan version of the Ssangyong Rodius.

[CdocZ]

I think BMW's R&D has been having a little trouble asking "why not?" too often, and "why", too little.

[akrmalas]

NO.
I said NO.
It's enormous, it's heavy, it's desperately ugly.
Please welcome the sedan version of the Ssangyong Rodius.

i thought i was the only one that would say :eek::eek: so ugly

what wrong with BMW guys:confused:

[lightweight]

They probably use X5 / X6 underpinnings for this one, so it makes some sense financially, since they will get the money from the SUV's and just slash costs by producing more units.

It's like a 5 door hatch in limo dimensions. Open did this with the Signum, which failed to raise the interest they were hoping, although it was a lot smaller than the BMW.

Ugly car, but practical.

Hope they won't make an M out of this one....

[Ferrer]

I'm coming out.

I like it.

[LeonOfTheDead]

They probably use X5 / X6 underpinnings for this one, so it makes some sense financially, since they will get the money from the SUV's and just slash costs by producing more units.

It's like a 5 door hatch in limo dimensions. Open did this with the Signum, which failed to raise the interest they were hoping, although it was a lot smaller than the BMW.

Ugly car, but practical.

Hope they won't make an M out of this one....

irrc the X5/6 underpinnings come from the previous gen 5 Series (the E60).

[LeonOfTheDead]

I'm coming out.

I like it.

Oh Albert...
Look at the side view, it's huge! This isn't a Gran Turismo. It's an inflated sedan with a big butt.
I think even the Panamera looks better and makes more sense.
I actually don't see why to introduce this, who was asking for a roomier 5 sedan or a smallish 5 estate.

[Ferrer]

Oh Albert...
Look at the side view, it's huge! This isn't a Gran Turismo. It's an inflated sedan with a big butt.
I think even the Panamera looks better and makes more sense.
I actually don't see why to introduce this, who was asking for a roomier 5 sedan or a smallish 5 estate.
Well you like the R-Class, which is a bit like it.

I'm not saying it's perfect, it isn't. But I find the concept of a spacious grand tourer with decent performance very appealing.

[lightweight]

irrc the X5/6 underpinnings come from the previous gen 5 Series (the E60).

Great! It's cheaper, too... Even less development costs!! A bargain..:cool:

[LeonOfTheDead]

Well you like the R-Class, which is a bit like it.

I'm not saying it's perfect, it isn't. But I find the concept of a spacious grand tourer with decent performance very appealing.

...ok, I like the R-Klasse, that's true. :o
the point is, I don't see the grand tourer here. But even a Cayenne Turbo S has decent performance right?

let's even say the idea is good.
I'd prefer a Quattroporte estate (the Bellagio was actually quite good looking, and weights 40 kg less). Or something properly spacious, perhaps not an R-Klasse, but a standard minivan as was the Phedra.
now let's say the idea is good even in this shape.
The car is quite bad looking though. Apart from the X6-ish look, the rear isn't really sporty, and the front is far from the glamor of the CS concept (which I never completely liked, the front fascia I mean).

I see it as just an enlarged sedan. Once they did it, they though the boot wasn't as big as the dimensions were suggesting, so they went for the weird rear end. If it's suppose to be a gran tourer, it should weight a bit less. Even the Quattroporte which isn't particularly refined in this compartment weight 100 kg less.

It's surely more comfortable than a 5 sedan, but it's definitely less proportioned, without considering the specific details.

[NSXType-R]

I'm coming out.

I like it.

So you hate the X6, but you like its only slightly smaller cousin?

You make no sense.

[Ferrer]

So you hate the X6, but you like its only slightly smaller cousin?

You make no sense.
I hate the X6 because you carry around off-road hardware without actually being able to use it.

This has no off-roading pretentions at all.

[Ferrer]

...ok, I like the R-Klasse, that's true. :o
the point is, I don't see the grand tourer here. But even a Cayenne Turbo S has decent performance right?

let's even say the idea is good.
I'd prefer a Quattroporte estate (the Bellagio was actually quite good looking, and weights 40 kg less). Or something properly spacious, perhaps not an R-Klasse, but a standard minivan as was the Phedra.
now let's say the idea is good even in this shape.
The car is quite bad looking though. Apart from the X6-ish look, the rear isn't really sporty, and the front is far from the glamor of the CS concept (which I never completely liked, the front fascia I mean).

I see it as just an enlarged sedan. Once they did it, they though the boot wasn't as big as the dimensions were suggesting, so they went for the weird rear end. If it's suppose to be a gran tourer, it should weight a bit less. Even the Quattroporte which isn't particularly refined in this compartment weight 100 kg less.

It's surely more comfortable than a 5 sedan, but it's definitely less proportioned, without considering the specific details.
The problem with SUVs is their high centre of gravity (higher than this) and carrying all the excess weight of the off-road hardware (which this doesn't have).

The problem with normal full size MPVs is that none has a well honed rear drive chasis and a sublime twin turbo six, except perhaps the R-Class.

The problem with the Quattroporte is that it's less spacious for passengers than this, even the Bellagio estate version.

I agree thought that the 5er GT has its problems. It's not exactly the best looking car in the world. The boot/hatch complexity adds unnecessary weight. And it's probably a tad too big and heavy. But as a concept I rather like it.

[LeonOfTheDead]

The problem with SUVs is their high centre of gravity (higher than this) and carrying all the excess weight of the off-road hardware (which this doesn't have).

The problem with normal full size MPVs is that none has a well honed rear drive chasis and a sublime twin turbo six, except perhaps the R-Class.

The problem with the Quattroporte is that it's less spacious for passengers than this, even the Bellagio estate version.

I agree thought that the 5er GT has its problems. It's not exactly the best looking car in the world. The boot/hatch complexity adds unnecessary weight. And it's probably a tad too big and heavy. But as a concept I rather like it.

that's it, now I recognize you :)

EDIT: considering the internal dispositions of seats and other stuff and the structure, I wonder how taller the CG of an R-Klasse is compared to this one's.
Obviously considering the 2wd R, as the 4wd both lowet the CG but it's also a bit pointless, if you don't live in a perennial snow storm.

[cargirl1990]

i think it looks kinda neat. i like a car that sticks out from the crowd. ( excluding the Pontiac Aztek and Buick Rendezous, don't even think of mentioning those two to me!. ) im a hardcore BMW enthusiast SO THERE!:p
it kinda looks agressive from the front though! :D

[NSXType-R]

I hate the X6 because you carry around off-road hardware without actually being able to use it.

This has no off-roading pretentions at all.

But if you wanted a wagon...

you would buy one?

Why would you want something in between a wagon and a sedan?

If you're thinking about building a car that size, I think you're just splitting hairs- useless.

I still don't like it for what it is.

[NicFromLA]

Hopefully the front and dash will carry over to the new 5 Series sedan and estate. And that's all I'm going to say.

[Spastik_Roach]

Well you like the R-Class, which is a bit like it.

I'm not saying it's perfect, it isn't. But I find the concept of a spacious grand tourer with decent performance very appealing.

But do you still find it appealing when its ugly as sin and got a ass so fat that a Megane would get jealous?

[Ferrer]

But if you wanted a wagon...

you would buy one?

Why would you want something in between a wagon and a sedan?

If you're thinking about building a car that size, I think you're just splitting hairs- useless.

I still don't like it for what it is.
It's pace and space. I do quite a lot of motorway driving, and I think it'd be brilliant there. Depends on the price though.

But do you still find it appealing when its ugly as sin and got a ass so fat that a Megane would get jealous?
Well, you know I drive a BMW 1er...

[cargirl1990]

It's pace and space. I do quite a lot of motorway driving, and I think it'd be brilliant there. Depends on the price though.

Well, you know I drive a BMW 1er...

lucky...

[Ferrer]

lucky...
Indeed. Even being a diesel.

I don't think I'll repeat though.

[cmcpokey]

Indeed. Even being a diesel.

I don't think I'll repeat though.

what do you want next? assuming you will be buying a car on your own next time.

i think that is the car guy's lament, always searching for what car to buy next, never truly satisfied with the current ride.

[LeonOfTheDead]

what do you want next? assuming you will be buying a car on your own next time.

i think that is the car guy's lament, always searching for what car to buy next, never truly satisfied with the current ride.

I'm not satisfied with my current second-(third?)-hand bicycle.
blame me.

[Ferrer]

what do you want next? assuming you will be buying a car on your own next time.

i think that is the car guy's lament, always searching for what car to buy next, never truly satisfied with the current ride.
I think that's a pretty big problem. When I've driven a car from some months I always start thinking what do I want to drive next, as if I could never be satisfied with the car I drive.

I thought it was just me, but I see that it isn't. :)

For the next car being able to still drive the Mini I'd want something comfy but with a bit of performance since its main use will be the motorway.

[f6fhellcat13]

Classic or contemporary?
I am waiting for the first, which my parents assure me will be coming in more than two years, if I'm lucky. :p

[Ferrer]

Classic or contemporary?
That will depend on the budget.

[cmcpokey]

That will depend on the budget.

do you work right now?

[Ferrer]

do you work right now?
Nope I'm finishing university this year then I'll start working, but I'm not in a hurry. I can still use the BMW until at least late 2010. Then we'll see.

[Spastik_Roach]

It's pace and space. I do quite a lot of motorway driving, and I think it'd be brilliant there. Depends on the price though.

Well, you know I drive a BMW 1er...

forgot about that. still, not a bad looking car compared to this niche-gt whatever thing...

[BarneyBoy]

At first I thought it was a joke - ugly, stupid, and a waste of space.

Then I thought about it some more...

Now I think I was being too easy on it... it's much worse than that.:D

Me? I'll wait for the LWB 2 door 4X4 Landaulet with improved iDrive (LOL). :D

[cargirl1990]

those 1 Series are small. from what i've read, it's like supposed to be direct competition to the A3. am i right or wrong on this one? i've seen a 1 Series on the road and i thought they looked really small to me. i sat in one when the auto show came to my city. its small on the outside, and from what i can remember, roomy on the inside.

[Ferrer]

those 1 Series are small. from what i've read, it's like supposed to be direct competition to the A3. am i right or wrong on this one? i've seen a 1 Series on the road and i thought they looked really small to me. i sat in one when the auto show came to my city. its small on the outside, and from what i can remember, roomy on the inside.
It's a C-segment hatch. However thanks to its layout it's not especially spacious inside.

However I was used to a Mini, so the 1er is more or less huge...

[cargirl1990]

It's a C-segment hatch. However thanks to its layout it's not especially spacious inside.

However I was used to a Mini, so the 1er is more or less huge...

i thought the 1 Series was roomy to me ( im only 5'1" ). its like 30 thou here in Canada. do you have the 125i or the 135i? also what color is it?

[LeonOfTheDead]

i thought the 1 Series was roomy to me ( im only 5'1" ). its like 30 thou here in Canada. do you have the 125i or the 135i? also what color is it?

5 door blue 118d, iirc.

[cargirl1990]

5 door blue 118d, iirc.

118d? we definatley don't have the diesel here! maybe in 3 Series style but not the 1er!

[Ferrer]

5 door blue 118d, iirc.
It's a 3 door. Altough rear access doesn't improve much by adding more doors...

It's also the hatchback not the coupé. And IIRC the color is Monaco Blau. Base spec, a couple of extras, 143bhp diesel engine.

If you want to know more there's the thread somewhere in the User's rides section.