|
By EWAN KENNEDY
22 February 2010
Just when we thought there were no niches left in the automotive
scene, BMW has come up with another new idea for this variant of
its 5 Series.
While it may look like a just another five-door hatchback in
photographs, the BMW 5 Grand Tourismo breaks new ground in car
design. An amalgam of sedan and SUV, with a touch of station
wagon, it's aimed at the person who wants a spacious vehicle with
useful luggage capacity. But above all, a person who wants the
driving pleasure for which BMW has been famed for decades.
Though BMW may not thank us for saying so, the new 5 GT is in the
same theme as vehicles like the Renault Scenic, Citroen Picasso,
even the Honda odyssey (though the latter is a seven seater, not a
five-) in that it's significantly taller than the average hatch.
The German vehicle is tall and long (it's longer than a Commodore
or Falcon) to give maximum interior volume. It also looks much
better than any of the aforementioned cars.
The cabin has two big comfortable front seats that sit higher than
is normal in a sedan, the height being part of the extra-space
package. Other than saying they have a good compromise between
comfort and support there's not a lot more to report on the front
seats.
BMW 5 GT’s rear area is where things get interesting. You can
either specify the BMW 5 GT with seating for two or three back
there. When set up as a two-seater it comes with large individual
seats with a handy centre console between them. This would be our
preferred choice grand tourers are all about transporting one on
two couples in a pleasant ambience.
Should you go for the three-seat package you still get two large
seats with a smaller unit between them. Fine for kids, but not
really suited to three big Aussies who need plenty of shoulder
space.
The rear seats can be moved individually and have a powered
reclining mechanism to let you choose between sitting upright or
having a semi-snooze position. Again, just the thing for grand
touring.
A really interesting feature is that the back seat can slide
backwards or forwards to create more legroom, or extra luggage
capacity, or something in between. Luggage space varies from 440
to 590 litres depending on the positioning of the back seat. With
the seat folded down completely this rises to a very useful 1700
litres.
BMW has developed two-way access to the boot by way of either a
conventional lid, or by a tailgate that opens all the way. A
clever feature is that you can set the powered tailgate to either
full height, or, if you have restricted headroom in your carpark
or garage, to only open to distance you select.
A panoramic sunroof that covers virtually the complete interior
has been specified as standard on all Australian imports of the 5
Gran Tourismo.
But let's get away from the oh-so practical interior and talk
about the exciting side of this latest BMW. The 5 GT is, above
all, stylish, powerful, beautifully balanced and a real drivers’
car. To have designed it any other way would have been a disaster
from the point of view of the Bavarian car maker which has pushed
its sporting DNA to keen drivers for many decades.
Power comes from either a straight-six turbo-diesel engine
developing 180 kW and 540 Newton metres, a 225 kW, 400 Nm
straight-six, or a 300 kW, 600 Nm V8. All units are turbocharged
for greater efficiency. Fuel consumption from the diesel is rated
at a mere 6.5 litres per hundred kilometres, with the petrols
being measured at 8.9 and 11.2 litres respectively.
BMW took us on a scenic drive program in the Mornington Peninsula
area as part of the press introduction of its new 5 GT. All of the
engines are responsive once you're past the small amount of turbo
lag. They are willing to rev to the top of their bands without the
slightest protest. Turbocharging gives huge benefits in the way an
engine can be tuned and BMW engineers have managed to produce
torque throughout virtually all of the everyday rev range. Most
drivers will simply have the engine at its peak efficiency
virtually all of the time.
Chassis balance is exemplary, with good turn in and a willingness
to hold the road safely even when pushed very hard. However, these
large grand tourers are approaching two tonnes in weight so they
are never going to feel nimble.
We have to admit to initial scepticism when we heard last year
that BMW had just ‘invented’ the five-door hatchback. But are
happy to admit we were wrong; this really is a new class of
vehicle that's a neat compromise between sportiness, spaciousness
and sleekness. Well done, BMW.
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo range, with prices (excluding dealer
and government charges) is:
530d: $143,400
535i: $151,400
550i: $192,900
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
|
