While some us believe that the two cars are not really competing for the same customers, the german journalists at Autozeitung decided to put the cars head-to-head.

BMW 530d GT is powered by a 3.0 liter straight-six diesel engine outputting 245 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 540 Nm/398 lb-ft from 1,750–3,000 rpm. Still a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the 530d GT uses an 8-speed automatic transmission. As tested by Autozeitung, the 530d GT runs from o-62 mph in 6.8 seconds and it’s limited to 240 km/h (149 mph). Average fuel consumption to the EU standard is measured at 6.5 liters/100 kilometers – 36.8 MPG.

The price of the 530d GT as tested by the german magazine is 55,200 euros.

Mercedes-Benz R350 Blue Tec is powered by a 3.0 liters V6 turbo engine producing 210 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 398 ft lb/540 Nm at 1,600 rpm. The R350 Blue Tec engine is matted to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The car tested by the same journalists runs from 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds and has a top speed of 220 km/h. Combined fuel economy was measured at 11.7 liters/100 km – 20 MPG.
Price as tested? 59619 euros.

While our german is still being worked on, allow us to share the final result:

BMW won every category except “bodywork” with a total score 3189 points vs. 3008 points. Some of you might think of bodywork as exterior design, but Autozeitung looked at several other things: space in front and rear, cargo load, towing capacity, quality and functionality.

If you’re interested in all the details, feel free to read the entire article as translated by Google.

BMW 530d GT has the latest generation of 3.0-liter diesel which is expected to comfortably outsell the 535i GT in Europe. The engine outputs 241 horsepower 4000 rpm and 398lb ft of torque from 1750 to 3000 rpm.

Despite being the most affordable GT in the range, the 535d might become BMW’s highest seller in the lineup. For us in the United States, the 550i GT and 535i GT next year, will be the only available models for now.

Without any further ado, let’s see the reviews posted by Fifth Gear and as always, Autoblog.nl:

Earlier in the evening, we were given a ride in the rear seat of the 550i GT to see what it would be like to be a passenger in the new BMW crossover of sorts. Thus far, we’re happy to report that the rear seat of the 550i GT is a very comfortable place to spend time.

With nearly the leg room of a F01 750i and similar luxury accouterments, you’ll feel like a C-level executive being transported around for even the most mundane tasks. However, we don’t want to ruin too much of the surprise for you as we’ve still got a lot to experience ourselves and will be doing our best to report it live from my Twitter account located here and also the official BMWBLOG Twitter account: twitter.com/bmwblog. Keep checking in for the EbrakeBlog twitter account as I’ll be reporting live my findings of BMW’s new entry into the mid-size segment.

Also, feel free to become our fan on Facebook at facebook.com/bmwblog and we will have some exclusive photos posted there as well.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy some of these pictures we snapped in our down time. We’re looking forward to reporting back to all of you our thoughts and opinions on the 5 Series GT and how it will slot into the existing and upcoming BMW lineup for North America! If you have any questions about the car, feel free to leave comments here or on Twitter and we’ll try our best to test the car/field your enthusiasm!

On the outside, the BMW 5 Series GT by Hartge receives some minor body kit upgrades, along with new suspensions, wheels and interior modifications. The 5 GT Hartge also gets a new sport spring set that lowers the ride by 30 mm. Hartge set of emblems can be spotted on the bonnet and boot lid.

The 22″ inch custom wheels, in four different designs and finishes, enhance the already sporty looking exterior look. Hartge also offer a tire repairing kit for the 5 Series GT.

Inside, the 5 GT gets a new set of Hartge branded aluminum pedals, footrest and and steering wheel.

At the moment, there are no engine upgrades, but as always, we’re probably looking at a Stage 1 tuning, so we expect to see some power increase in the future.

The traditional European term Gran Turismo (Grand Touring) was first applied by Italian carmakers in the 1950s when they combined the performance, handling, and style of a 2-seat sport car with luxurious amenities and luggage room for each occupant.

BMW’s new Gran Turismo nurtures this tradition in its own contemporary way, providing exceptional space, style, luxury, and comfort for four passengers, plus the performance and driving pleasure of a BMW.
It does so with 21st-century technology. BMW’s wide-ranging EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy endows this new automobile with an outstanding balance between performance and efficiency. Thanks to its innovative twin turbo V-8 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission, the 550i Gran Turismo can accelerate from rest to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, yet delivers excellent efficiency in everyday driving.

Design: Abundant sportiness, elegance, luxury and versatility.
• Typical BMW proportions communicate dynamic character and sportiness.
• Long wheelbase and graceful, coupe-like roofline.
• An interior with contemporary design, generous dimensions and premium materials.

The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo radiates a unique blend of sportiness and stylish presence. Typical BMW proportions, four doors with frameless windows, and a coupe-like roofline combine into a harmonious, highly distinctive silhouette that visually represents this vehicle’s innovative capabilities.

The Gran Turismo’s visual presence is a fusion of established BMW identity and new elements. Its elongated hood and long 120.7-inch wheelbase coalesce with a “greenhouse” set well aft and a fastback roofline into a profile that’s immediately recognizable as a BMW, yet at the same time communicates a new vehicle concept. From the first glance, it’s clear that this is an exceptionally roomy vehicle, yet also a highly dynamic one.

Inside the 5 Series Gran Turismo, users find generous dimensions, inspired contemporary design, and individualized luxury. Sweeping contours – such as those of the interior door panels – combine with rich, premium-quality materials to create an ambiance that’s equally satisfying to front and rear occupants.

At the front: thoroughly modern, traditionally BMW.
The Gran Turismo’s frontal aspect has a marked forward thrust, with its traditional BMW “kidney grille” leaning slightly forward and emphasized by its separation from the flanking (also traditional) four round headlights.

In profile: frameless door windows and a new form of “Hofmeister Kink.”
The 5 Series Gran Turismo is also the first 4-door BMW to have frameless door windows – a feature BMW usually reserves for Coupes and Convertibles. These give an “open” look to side and angled views of the vehicle.

Over the years, another window detail has become a tradition: BMW’s so-called “Hofmeister Kink,” named after Wilhelm Hofmeister, who headed BMW design when this shape first appeared. On the Gran Turismo, it appears in “6-window” (3 windows per side) form in the rear quarter windows aft of the rear doors, framed in matte black plus chrome or optional high-gloss Shadowline black trim.

At the rear: aesthetically and functionally distinctive
Another BMW design tradition, in evidence since the second-generation 7 Series was introduced for 1988 is the freely interpreted L-shape of the rear lighting clusters. On the 5 Series Gran Turismo this theme is retained but new LED lighting tubes wrap far around the body sides and provide yet another recognizable BMW design cue. Together, these elements reinforce the impression of the Gran Turismo’s wide stance, which is further enhanced by strong horizontal lines spanning the bi-modal trunk and likewise tying into the character lines of the side profile.

Function, as much as the handsome aesthetics, is the main attraction of the 5 Series Gran Turismo’s interesting rear view. Below the rear window is a conventional, though shorter-than-usual, sedan trunklid that opens separately to reveal a fully enclosed trunk – sealed off from the passenger cabin by an acoustic partition that renders the interior as quiet as that of a sedan.

To take full advantage of the 5 Series Gran Turismo’s great cargo capacity, the liftgate – including lower trunklid, rear window and an upper section reaching a few inches above the window – can also be opened. There are two releases, one for the trunklid alone, the other for the entire liftgate including trunklid.

Interior design: spacious luxury at its finest.
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo interior combines space, luxury and stylish materials to create a premium ambiance. In the rear seats as well as up front, there’s a sense of generous space and comprehensive amenities, promoting relaxed and accommodating travel.

The outstanding feeling – and reality – of spaciousness is enhanced by design and materials. Dash and instrument panel lines are decidedly horizontal; door panels sweep dramatically and harmoniously from front to rear. Thanks to their frameless designs, the door windows are larger than they would be with frames, adding to the openness of the cabin. The dual-panel panoramic moonroof, standard on the U.S. model, also contributes to these effects.

Instrument panel in Black Panel technology.
Like so many aspects of the 5 Series Gran Turismo, its instrument cluster combines BMW tradition with advanced, beautiful new executions. Here the entire cluster is in a high-resolution Black Panel display, in which four classic circular instruments are most prominent; other driving-relevant displays and readouts – including Navigation if present, vehicle-monitoring functions, upcoming service requirements and other information – also appear here in their various (and function-related) graphic forms. Climate-control settings and controls are located in a second Black Panel display in the center console stack.

So it is that the advantages of mechanical and electronic displays are ideally combined with eye-catching visual and graphic effects. As the user enters the vehicle, the circular instruments’ “chrome rings,” until now open at the bottom, close and become brighter. Once the ignition is activated (by pressing the Start/Stop button), the numerals plus all other displays and warnings illuminate. As the engine starts, functions that have been previously activated by the driver are then revealed as well.

The new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo will arrive in BMW Centers this December. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

The new niche model from BMW, 5 Series GT, has launched recently during an international press event that took place in Lisbon, Portugal. In a couple of weeks, the 5 GT will officially launch in the U.S. as well, with the high-end 550i GT model being the only one available to order at the moment.

Before we dive into the photo  gallery, here is a recap on the 5 Series GT. Based on the platform of the new BMW 7 Series, the 5 Series GT was built on the same principle that made the original Gran Turismo vehicles so popular: a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The 5 Series Gran Turismo tones down the front-end of the 7 by offering a more attractive and easier accepted design.

The design of the 5 Series GT started in late 2005 with the first sketches, but the actual design process began in 2006. The new BMW 5 Series GT takes the interior design of a BMW at the top of the luxury scale and for the first time, BMW has designed the car from the inside out.

Without a doubt, the new BMW 7 Series has served as a starting point for the 5 Series GT and not only from the platform sharing aspect. The 4.4 liter V8 engine will power the highest-end model to be sold in the United States: 550i GT. As seen in the 750i, the V8 twin-turbo produces 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. All this power is sent to the rear wheels through the new ZF 8-Speed automatic transmission. At the end of 2010, a 5 Series GT xDrive will be made available as well.

A 535i GT model will also be available in 2010 powered by the new N55 twin-scroll engine.

For those of you interested in the review posted by Roman, here is the translated version.

[Source: Mario Roman ]

The BMW 5 Series GT owners get a choice between 19, 20 and 22 inch models that are available in a silver or black finish. For the X1, AC Schnitzer wheels start at 18 inches and go up to 20 inches, in a silver finish.

This is just the first episode in their 5GT and X1 customization process since AC Schnitzer announced further mods: sports rear silencers, exhaust tailpipes, aerodynamic components and …..chassis optimizations.

No pricing information were released to us, but those of you that are interested, feel free to make an inquiry through their website.

[Source: Zer Customs ]

We’ve heard all about the car from the exterior designer itself, Christopher Weil, we have also seen the GT in person and last but not least, we’ve seen plenty of positive reviews given to the 5er GT, most of them coming from automobile publications that have been very critical towards this new design soon after it was unveiled.

The UK fellows at TopGear are giving us their report on the 5 Series GT, this time the European model equipped with the 3.0 liter diesel engine.

This is not the usual new car drive report. Contrary to normal practice, there’ll be a lot of talk about the boot and the back seats, because that’s the only way for you to judge whether or not BMW really has invented a new kind of car. And if it has, whether it’s one actually worth having.

But there’s also our usual meat’n'potatoes, stuff about the engines, transmission, handling and ride – which are all borderline brilliant as it happens. Those things matter because while the 5-Series GT is in itself decidedly minority-interest, you’re to all intents and purposes at the wheel of next year’s 5-Series saloon and Touring.

Right. The boot. If a manufacturer goes to all the trouble of inventing a new kind of car, you’d think it would deploy all available language to explain the thing. Yet bizarrely BMW people refuse to call this a hatchback, even though that’s basically what it is. Instead they call it a GT, which is one thing it isn’t. A GT in my book is a short-wheelbase plush but lightweight coupe for comfortable high-speed touring. The 5-Series GT, on the other hand, is a five-door with a body and seats of such Heath Robinson complexity that the thing weighs two tonnes. Unsurprisingly, confusion reigns.

Full article continued

I met Weil two weeks ago at the Frankfurt Auto Show where he was present to introduce to the world his recent work, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, a new addition to the future 5 Series family and one of these vehicles that shies away from the typical BMW design language.

The design of the 5 Series GT started in late 2005 with the first sketches, but the actual design process began in 2006. It takes three to four years to complete a model. When the competition began, Weil joined twenty other designers in the internal contest. Out of the twenty designers, six sketches and ideas are selected. After two rounds of evaluation and elimination, the models are narrowed down and at the end, three teams and their clay models are presented to the board. The winning design gets a tremendous vote of confidence and clearly, Weil was thrilled to be awarded such design task.

But the difficulties have yet to be revealed.

The Philosophy Behind The 5 Gran Turismo

The new BMW 5 Series GT takes the interior design of a BMW at the top of the luxury scale and this has been the starting point for Weil’s team. “For the first time, we developed the car from the inside out. Very important for the interior design is a feel of generous space”, says Weil.

But how does it affect the exterior design? Weil continues to explain: “We created this wave flowing from the back to the front doors. Our goal was to transform this relaxed movement into the exterior design.”

Ever since the first official photos were released by BMW, many people began to associate some design elements of the 5 GT with the new 7 Series and of course, with the yet-to-be unveiled 2011 5 Series. “This car is very specific in its own design, has its own character, but common elements are there because BMW shares some design clues with other models. We have a new form language, so of course you will see some similarities. In the end, it is still totally different from any BMW.”, he says.

The company’s trademark design elements are still present in this model, the double headlamps, kidney grille and Hoffmeister Kink.

Challenges

Designing a new model comes with multiple challenges, several hurdles than need to be conquered by any designer working on a production car. “I did advanced design, now I’m doing production design. The design is totally different, more mature. There are different challenges, you have to come up with new ideas if something doesn’t work, and talk to the engineers to try new things.”, Weil talking about some challenges.

But some of the biggest challenges encountered in production design come from the the strict pedestrian safety standards that have turned the car designing process into an even more complicated task. “The design in the beginning is more wild, not as mature as in the end, but the character of the car was identical from the beginning to the end.” It seems like Weil managed to take these obstacles into considerations early in the design stages and successfully maintained the initial character of the 5 Gran Turismo.

The Design And Dynamics

When the new BMW 7 Series launched, many of us have been reluctant to accept the new flat “nose” with the oversized kidney grille. In time, the front fascia of the 7 grew on us. Built on the same platform as the 7 Series short-wheelbase model, the 5 Series Gran Turismo tones down the front-end of the 7 by offering a more attractive and easier accepted design. Beside the unique design aesthetics, this new front-end has shown to provide improved airflow to the engine compartment.

“The configuration part of the lower air intake is also very good because it is higher in the middle of it, so the air can flow into the radiator while the rest is going underneath”, says Weil, “Great advantage.”

Wheels have been designed specifically for this car, but there are others coming from the BMW program as well. The concept wheel has been very challenging since the team’s goal was to improve the aerodynamics.

Corona rings stand for BMW now and Weil uses them in the 5 Series GT for daytime running lights as well.

When asked about the car’s dynamics and ride quality, Mr. Weil replied: “A great feeling to drive it, comfort, really comfort ride, sporty mode, very sporty, drives like a BMW, but totally different, very hard to explain in words. Lots of space inside and a higher seating position.”

But is it more dynamic than the 7 Series? “A little sportier than the 7″, says Weil.

What Makes A Good Automobile Designer?

Every car designer has an unique story to tell, some of them are world globetrotters working in several design departments within the company, others are natural born artists, but in  the end they all share the same passion:  the art of automobiles.

Before becoming a great automobile designer, how does one start? “Since I was born, I was interested in cars, but more interested in forms, rather than mechanics. Later, it has changed. To be a good designer, you need to know both.”

Some inspiration comes from art galleries and architecture, and Weil is no stranger to these:”As a designer, you have to be curious and open to ideas”.

Classy BMW designs are some of Weil’s favorites as well, starting with the BMW 2002 and continuing with the CSI model.

A final question concludes the great interview we had with Christopher Weil, a very passionate man about his work, passions that can be sense in his voice and gestures.

What defines a BMW for you? “Emotion”, says Weil. “I think when you’re looking at the car, any BMW, you’re emotionally attached.”

BMW 550i GT comes standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission, 18″ wheels with all-season tires, panoramic moonrof, park distance control, Xenon headlights, navigation system and some other gadgets that are now included standard in the high-end model.

A variety of exterior and interior colors are offered as well, starting with the “default” Alpine, White Jet Black, Titanium Silver, Space Gray or Black Saphire and continuing with more exclusive colors, some seen only on the newest models: Neptune Blue, Deep Sea Blue, Imperial Blue, Dark Graphite and Orion Silver.

BMW 530d GT displayed at the Frankfurt Auto Show

Inside, consumers will have a choice between Everest Gray Dakota leather, Venetian Beige, Ivory White, Cinnamon Brown or Black.

BMW offers a variety of packages for the 550i GT. The usual Sport, Cold Weather and Premium Sound packages are complemented with:

• Active Ventilated Seat Package – Front ventilated seats, active front seats, multi-contour and heated seats
• Camera Package- rear-view and side-view cameras
• Convenience Package- power tailgate, comfort access, soft-close automatic doors
• Driver Assistance Package – automatic high-beams, lane departure warning, active blind spot detection
• Luxury Rear Seating Package- sunshades, rear ventilated seats, rear comfort seats, 4-zone climate control, heated seats

The Sport Package comes with some amazing options, EDC(Electronic Damping Control), Active Roll Stabilization, 19″ or 20″ wheels and Adaptive Drive.

Other optional equipment includes Integral Active Steering, Head-Up Display, Night Vision camera and many others.

The 550i GT standard and optional equipment are comparable to the ones found in the new 7 Series, the flagship luxury sedan that offers the latest technology developed by BMW.

Unfortunately no pricing is available at the moment, but we expect the BMW 550i GT to have in the U.S. a base price between $65,000 and $70,000.

While our recent coverage on the 5 Series GT focused mostly on the design language, both interior and exterior, the fellows at MotorTrend decided to take a deeper look at the technology powering the 5 Gran Turismo.

“BMW’s 5 Series Gran Turismo is the second vehicle off the new architecture that underpins the 7 Series and will form the basis for next year’s 5 Series sedan and wagon and the next-generation 6 Series. Here are some of the highlight technologies:

3.0-LITER, DIRECT-INJECTION TURBO SIX
The new 5 Series Gran Turismo marks the first application of BMW’s new single turbo, direct-injection, 3.0-liter straight six with Valvetronic variable valve timing. The engine has 3.53-inch bore and a 3.31-inch stroke and a 10.2:1 compression ratio.

It develops 300 horsepower at 5800 to 6250 rpm, and 300 pound-feet of torque between 1200 and 6000 rpm. The decision to go to a single, twin-scroll turbocharger was driven by the need to meet forthcoming Euro6 and American SULEV emissions while retaining the responsiveness of a twin-turbo setup.

The single-turbo layout allows closer placement of the catalytic converter for faster light-off. (The tough new Euro6 test means the catalytic converter has to be hot enough to be scrubbing exhaust emissions just seven seconds after the engine is started; BMW also utilizes a dual-wall exhaust manifold for maximum heat retention.) The twin-scroll layout funnels the exhaust gases from cylinders one through three and four through six to two separate turbines, ensuring an exhaust pulse hits each every 120 degrees of crankshaft rotation, as in a twin turbo setup, minimizing pulse interference and maximizing the energy transfer.”

Full Article Continued

Many of the recent reviews have been quite positive, especially after the initial test drives that put several journalists behind the wheel of this Gran Turismo 5 Series. With an exterior design that takes time to get used to it and looks better in reality than in photos, the 5 GT has all the right “ingredients” to follow the successful steps of another past controversial BMW model, X6, a vehicle that has exceeded the expectations in sale numbers.

This week, the UK fellows at The Sun gives us their take on the 5 GT, a car they like to call “Gran Deft Auto”, and yes, in a positive way.

Quirky This BMW is the ultimate car for the urban and suburban needs of the 21st century. In the age of Grand Theft Auto, this is the Gran Deft Auto. It’s clever and it can deal with anything the streets can throw at it. The Germans believe the GT gives occupants first-class comfort compared to economy class of rivals.

There are two trim levels – SE five-seater and Exec four-seater – the latter gets a business-like console that sits between the two seats in the back. The cockpit is classic BMW, with a slightly sporty twist. The dash and console is very crisp and minimal with a classy combination of leather, wood and piano black materials. The seats are brilliant, with soft initial cushioning and firm support beneath them – you can even electronically adjust the seats in the back.

It sits on the same wheelbase as the 7 Series, so there’s plenty of space. But it’s been cleverly worked out. The design of the dash and front doors flows beautifully into the rear.

Full Review

Here are an excerpt from their detailed article:

“First things first. There’s no point in dodging the obvious: Aesthetics will be the primary topic of discussion whenever the 5 Series Gran Turismo comes in for scrutiny. And with good reason – we haven’t seen anything quite like it before. Up front, the 5GT’s enlarged kidney grilles cant forward ever so slightly, creating an aggressive look reinforced by twin corona headlamps and muscular front fenders. The grille’s rake isn’t as deliberate or convincing as, say, an E28 5 Series, but it does lend the face a degree of menace without running afoul of European pedestrian safety standards. Follow the headlamps along their main character line, and you’ll run across a traditional high-waisted beltline. But it isn’t really until the rear end that the shock sets in – the 5GT’s jarring, fastback-like greenhouse that terminates in a novel (if controversial) dual-hinged liftback arrangement.”

—–

Having spent some quality time both driving and reflecting upon what BMW has created here, we’re convinced that Munich has come up with a far more complete product than we might have reasonably thought. It drives very well and it offers a number of unique functional attributes that we can see being of real value for some customers. What we’re still foggy on, however, is how BMW will successfully market this thing.

Read full article at Autoblog

Thanks for the tip Giom!

Along with the BMW X1, the 5 Series GT was one of the most popular BMW vehicles displayed on the floor in Hall 11. Journalists were intrigued about BMW’s Gran Turismo with most of them being interested more in the interior design and cargo space.

BMW reiterated that the 5 GT will indeed make it to the U.S. at the end of this year and it will be one of BMW’s niche models. The upcoming 2010 5 Series will join the 5 GT in the new family and both cars are expected to do really well.

In an interview with Christopher Weil, designed of the 5 GT, we learned that the Gran Turismo design project started in 2006. There are more information that we learned during the interview, but we will have it up in the next day.

While the 5 Series GT is not a secret to anyone since it has been unveiled a few months, it is still exciting to see it in person. Several auto publications have already test driven the car and reviews have been mixed, both in terms of design and driving experience.

As we mentioned before, 5 GT photos don’t do any justice to the car and seeing the car in person can be an eye opener. The design language really stands out and the overall proportions show what niche is BMW targeting with this latest model.

Based on the platform of the new BMW 7 Series, the 5 Series GT was built on the same principle that made the original Gran Turismo vehicles so popular: a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving.

Seeing the 5 GT in person really makes a difference, the front-end in our opinion is more appealing that the one seen on the new 7, a less accentuated “nose” with a more aggressive look and a grille design closer to what BMW fans expect.

We’ve said it before: BMW has taken the interior design a few notches up and this is one of the best interiors we have seen to date in a BMW. We had a chance to spend some time inside the car back at the 5 GT preview at Spartanburg.

It was fun being in Munich and most important, playing a bit of a spy photographer role, but we’re looking forward now to the Frankfurt Auto Show and more photos of all the exciting cars to be unveiled there.

In a way, mixed reviews are expected since the 5 GT is a model that clearly targets a specific demographic and sometimes the reviewer’s opinion can be biased.

But let’s take a look and see what Car and Driver has to say:

Drives Well, but It Isn’t Particularly Fun

The 5-series GT driving experience is closer to that of the taller X5 than the regular 5-series. In fast corners, the GT tends to initial understeer, but it is easy to apply power oversteer, which gets the stability control busy. The active steering—not our favorite way to wheel a BMW, it must be said—is effortless at low speeds, taking the fear out of tight parking situations.

The GT boasts an adjustable suspension with multiple settings, and it does its best to mask the car’s two-plus tons. The comfort setting tends to foster bobbing and swinging motions; normal—a good compromise between sporty and soft—makes the driver feel more secure. As soon as the road turns extra-twisty, we advise activating the sport setting, which further firms up the suspension and heightens powertrain responses. The difference between sport and sport plus is nearly indiscernible beyond the latter’s relaxing the stability control enough to allow drifting, something we would encourage you to think twice about, considering the GT’s mass. Overall, despite BMW’s efforts to make the GT as sedanlike as possible—witness all the stuff with the multifunction hatch and cargo-area divider—it’s not a vehicle that tempts you to get up at six a.m. on Sunday for a day of spirited driving.

Full review here

The U.S. driving event will take place in a couple of months where we will get behind the 550i GT and share our own impressions. From what we’ve seen back in July at the 5 GT Preview in Spartanburg, the new model left a good impression on most of the U.S. journalists present there and if the driving experience will match the luxury design of the GT, then BMW might have a winner on their hands.

In contrast to what Autocar concluded earlier today, InsideLine has not been ecstatic about the car, in  a way….kinda expected. The 5 GT, in our opinion, will be one of these cars equally liked and disliked by journalists and BMW fans. Here are an excerpt from their article, but you can read the full review here.

Does it drive like an Ultimate Driving Machine? We cannot wholeheartedly say yes. Does it drive like a 2006 Pontiac Montana? Absolutely not.

The 2010 BMW 5 GT has a lot going for it, but it’s most likely going to take a massively innovative marketing effort to convince BMW aficionados in key markets (read: North America) that it is worthy of the Bavarian roundel, and to persuade people new to BMW that it is worth the premium swan dive into larger monthly payments in these uncertain times.

Being one of the most controversial BMW models built in the past few years, the 5 GT will make the front cover of many automobile magazines during the test drive period.

While we won’t see the GT 530d in the U.S., at least for a while, the Autocar article will give you an idea of what to expect from BMW’s first Progressive Activity Vehicle.

What’s it like?

All of that evangelism can turn you off a car before you even drive it, but that would be a mistake with this car.

For starters, there’s the technology. It has the latest generation of 3.0-litre diesel, which is expected to comfortably outsell the 535i GT in Europe. It deserves to as well, because it has 241bhp of power at 4000rpm and 398lb ft of torque from 1750 to 3000rpm.

It will help that it’s the cheapest Gran Turismo, but it’s also the best of the GT’s engine range.

But while it’s not the fastest, it never actually feels wanting. Our side-by-side charges showed the 535i consistently pulling away, even in rolling in-gear sprints, but the 530d version was never humbled as it smoothly charged through its eight gears, swapping seamlessly regardless of whether the brilliant new transmission was in its softest or sportiest settings.

BMW claims it will pull 43.5mpg on the EU combined cycle, but we didn’t come close to that. In fact, we comfortably halved it without even trying and, with only a 70-litre tank, the GT might be stopping to refuel more than we’d like.

Short-range tank apart, it will be a legendarily good cruiser. The engine idles at 700rpm, and at 62mph it’s only ticking over at 1350rpm. At 80mph it’s only pulling 1700 revs – which isn’t even at the torque peak yet – and at 124mph it’s still only around 2200rpm. Relaxed? You bet.

Continue reading

Based on the platform of the new BMW 7 Series, the 5 Series GT was built on the same principle that made the original Gran Turismo vehicles so popular: a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving.

BMW has taken the interior design a few notches up and it all started with the new Z4 which features one of the best interiors we have seen to date in a BMW. The cockpit provides all the  necessary gadgetry and comfort, but it maintains a level of sportiness.

Without a doubt, the new BMW 7 Series has served as a starting point for the 5 Series GT and not only from platform sharing aspect. The 4.4 liter V8 engine will power the highest-end model to be sold in the United States: 550i GT. As seen in the 750i, the V8 twin-turbo produces 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. All this power is sent to the rear wheels through the new ZF 8-Speed automatic transmission. At the end of 2010, a 5 Series GT xDrive will be made available as well.

The footage in this commercial was filmed in several locations around the world, from the Namib Desert to Milwaukee, US.

Even though no official information have been released regarding their 5 GT package, it’s typical for Hamann to start off slowly before unveiling a full blown package. We have seen this on the X6, new 7 Series and Z4.

We can’t say that we’ve been huge fans of their wheels and tires, they seem to match some cars more than others, but in this case, we think we should stick with the standard wheels on the 5 GT, less pimp and more class.