BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo: Progressive Design

Motoring Channel Staff - 17/February/2009

Geneva, Switzerland – There is no better example of the difference between German and Italian design than the Gran Turismo paradox.

In Italy, the Maserati Gran Turismo is a vehicle of extreme style, speed and athleticism. It is exotic.

In Germany the BMW Gran Turismo looks like a cross between a family wagon and an executive sedan. It is not exotic.

BMW will launch its all-new 5 Series concept car, dubbed the Gran Turismo, at the 2009 Geneva Auto Salon where the pressure will be on to deliver a king-hit to Audi which has been riding a wave of success for more than 24 months now.

As a design concept, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo's purpose is to gauge both public and private reaction to the vehicle's appearance.

If BMW's new model is widely criticised when the media gets their first look at the 5 Series GT, some changes will be made to the design before it reaches production.

Even though it's still a prototype vehicle, the BMW Gran Turismo concept already has some very tough competition from the Audi Sportback concept, a similarly luxurious large hatchback expected to be called the Audi A6.

Though this BMW has been named the 5 Series Gran Turismo, the final name of the vehicle is expected to mirror the peculiar naming of the new X6 model, which is an SAC (sports activity coupe), rather than an SUV (sports utility vehicle).

Rumoured to be labelled a PAS, or progressive activity sedan, the new model will broaden BMW's mid-sized 5 Series line-up that currently includes the 5 Series saloon and estate plus the X5 Toorak tractor.

Only details on the design of this new Beemer were released at the time of writing, but it is expected that power will come from one of BMW's most potent motors, the 4.4-litre biturbo V8 engine with 300 kilowatts of power.

Concept Design

According to BMW, the idea behind the Gran Turismo concept came from the 'much loved, often copied, yet unbeatable BMW 5 Series Sedan and Touring family' but with an added twist.

The front end styling is traditional BMW, with the twin kidney grille and restyled headlight clusters stamping the vehicle's Bavarian heritage. 

The new look front end also hints at the design of the next generation 5 Series sedan, especially the headlight design.

Large 21-inch alloy wheels fill out the flared wheel arches while the Fluid Cuprite paint work was created specifically for this car.

It's the rear end design that will be the talking point however, and could even decide the fate of this daring new concept. Putting down $100,000+ for a giant hatchback may not suit the luxury car ideals of some buyers.

The German car maker says the fastback styling is reminiscent of the new BMW X6 and that all four doors feature frameless windows that help enhance 'the sleek feel of a coupe'. 

Another luxury feature is the large glass roof, giving the interior an ever greater sense of space.

"The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo could be the ideal vehicle for customers who want a luxury sedan that offers additional flexibility without the sheer size of an SUV," says BMW Group Australia's managing director, Guenther Seemann.

"With its abundance of space, comfort and luxury features, not to mention its unique design, this latest BMW will be one of the key talking points of the Geneva Motor Show.

"Once again BMW demonstrates its creative leadership in its constant drive to deliver innovative design and functionality to customers in the premium market."

Progressive Features

Featuring a new tailgate design, ('the like of which has not been seen previously in the premium segment' claims BMW) the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo's boot can be accessed via a small lower hinging tailgate, or the whole liftback area including the rear windscreen for larger items.

A lot of thought has gone into the versatility of the concept, but the effect it's had on the design may not be universally praised.

But BMW is trying very hard to be an innovator and wants to create new genres in luxury motoring and one of the key features of this new concept car will be its versatility. 

All four seats, including the two rear seats, are electrically adjustable in several directions yet the rear seats can still fold forward to create a large luggage area of 1,650 litres, which is easily accessible via the two-stage high-rise tailgate.

BMW says that rear headroom is similar to a BMW X5 while legroom on a par with a BMW 7 Series. 

While no detailed specifications will be released until the Geneva Motor Show launch, it would seem that the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is a very large and accommodating vehicle.

Luxury Interior

As the name suggests, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo's design manifesto called for a supreme comfortable long distance traveller.

As such, interior space is plentiful with the concept car showing a coupe-inspired layout with four large individual seats which are split down the middle by a front-to-rear central console.

BMW says the new model was designed with 'ease of entry and exit in mind'. It straddles the middle ground between SUV and wagon, with a medium ride height that allows occupants to 'step straight in rather than dropping down into the seats as in a typical BMW 5 Series Sedan, or climbing aboard into a vehicle such as the BMW X6'.

As the photos evidence, the interior is upholstered in ivory leather with oddly twee fabric inlays designed to create a warm, welcoming feel, not unlike a luxury yacht.

The car will be a technological innovator too and a good base for BMW to show off its latest gadgets and electronic driving aids.

Related Links:
- BMW Z4 (2010)
- BMW Concept X1 (2009)
- BMW Concept CS (Concept)
- BMW 3 Series (2009)
- BMW 335i Coupe (Road Test)
- BMW 7 Series (2008)
- BMW M3 Coupe (2008)
- BMW X6 (2008)
- BMW X1 (2010)
- BMW 130i M Sport (Road Test)
- BMW 120i (Road Test)