I'm guessing a few years ago, someone at BMW headquarters had a vision or a dream that foretold the complete demise of the station wagon and of the blinding hate for SUVs. This person (who had probably seen a Mercedes R-Class in a parking lot or used to work at Honda and got fired for designing the Crosstour) imagined a time and place where a vehicle with limited versatility, little appeal aesthetically and emotionally would become a highly sought-after commodity. This person may have been right; however, this is not the time nor is it the place.
The BMW 5-Series GT has been at the wrong end of a beating since it first saw the light as a concept at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. That may be a little harsh, but the fact is that BMW's Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) has or never will receive an award for outstanding design, most sought-after or most desirable anything.
It may have been destined for those looking for something new and original, like rich young cool folks but it hasn't happened. Fact is, BMW sold a trifling 223 (included in the 2,382 5-Series sold in 2010) in Canada during its first full year of availability. In January of 2011, BMW delivered 262 X5s. I don't call that success by any stretch of the imagination. As a side note, BMW wanted me to specify that only rear-drive versions were available until October. From then on, xDrive AWD models arrived and that they expect sales to pick up. We shall see...
The real sad part about the Gran Turismo's story is that, as a package, it all makes sense and it works.
If going on your way unnoticed is not what you want, then the GT will help. You'll get lots of looks but not admiring ones, just confused ones. You do have an ace in the hole if neighbours start pointing the finger at you. All you have to do point at the BMW logo: it's the beacon, the sign that you've done well for yourself. The styling could be the conversation starter if the matter persists.
The BMW 5-Series GT has been at the wrong end of a beating since it first saw the light as a concept at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. That may be a little harsh, but the fact is that BMW's Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) has or never will receive an award for outstanding design, most sought-after or most desirable anything.
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| If going on your way unnoticed is not what you want, then the GT will help. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
It may have been destined for those looking for something new and original, like rich young cool folks but it hasn't happened. Fact is, BMW sold a trifling 223 (included in the 2,382 5-Series sold in 2010) in Canada during its first full year of availability. In January of 2011, BMW delivered 262 X5s. I don't call that success by any stretch of the imagination. As a side note, BMW wanted me to specify that only rear-drive versions were available until October. From then on, xDrive AWD models arrived and that they expect sales to pick up. We shall see...
The real sad part about the Gran Turismo's story is that, as a package, it all makes sense and it works.
If going on your way unnoticed is not what you want, then the GT will help. You'll get lots of looks but not admiring ones, just confused ones. You do have an ace in the hole if neighbours start pointing the finger at you. All you have to do point at the BMW logo: it's the beacon, the sign that you've done well for yourself. The styling could be the conversation starter if the matter persists.
 |
| From then on, xDrive AWD models arrived and that they expect sales to pick up. We shall see... (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |