Georgia, US – As we speak, BMW is relentlessly pursuing new, virgin market segments to conquer. Last year saw the introduction of the bold X6, a successful cross between a coupe and a sport utility vehicle. Consumer response was so positive that all 600 units allocated to BMW Canada found takers in a matter of weeks.
Here I was, in the Peach State, comfortably seated in the latest creation of the Bavarian automaker -- the all-new 2010 5-Series Gran Turismo. Neither a sedan nor a wagon, this car is a combination of both styles and a forward-thinking interpretation of the GT heritage. While there used to be only two seats, we’re now presented with a 4- or 5-passenger configuration.
Styling is a bit shocking at first, but once you take a closer look, you’ll realize that you’re in the presence of a superbly-executed, high-quality product.
All the brand’s visual trademarks are found on the 5-Series Gran Turismo. Of course, the headlight clusters retain their traditional shape, complete with a silver ‘’eyelid’’ in the upper corner. And if you ask me, the front fascia incorporating the famous double-kidney grille looks more like the slanted nose and gaping nostrils of a great white shark.
The sides are beautifully sculpted from one end to the other, with a delicate ridge extending through the door handles. Similar to the Concept CS, a chrome appliqué is found just aft of the front wheel arches. Elsewhere, despite the extremely-flowing roofline, designers managed to preserve BMW’s signature side window kink in the back.
The rear section is directly in line with the rest of the current lineup. In fact, most of the GT’s originality and distinctiveness stem from the posterior. The neon-style taillights still look gorgeous, while the trunk can be opened in two different ways. The first is a conventional, trunk lid-type design whereas the second consists in a more convenient liftgate which creates a vast opening and thus improves access to the cargo area. Incidentally, the Gran Turismo shares familiar lines with the aforementioned X6, which stands about 13-centimeter taller.
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| Neither a sedan nor a wagon, this car is a combination of both styles. |
Here I was, in the Peach State, comfortably seated in the latest creation of the Bavarian automaker -- the all-new 2010 5-Series Gran Turismo. Neither a sedan nor a wagon, this car is a combination of both styles and a forward-thinking interpretation of the GT heritage. While there used to be only two seats, we’re now presented with a 4- or 5-passenger configuration.
Styling is a bit shocking at first, but once you take a closer look, you’ll realize that you’re in the presence of a superbly-executed, high-quality product.
All the brand’s visual trademarks are found on the 5-Series Gran Turismo. Of course, the headlight clusters retain their traditional shape, complete with a silver ‘’eyelid’’ in the upper corner. And if you ask me, the front fascia incorporating the famous double-kidney grille looks more like the slanted nose and gaping nostrils of a great white shark.
The sides are beautifully sculpted from one end to the other, with a delicate ridge extending through the door handles. Similar to the Concept CS, a chrome appliqué is found just aft of the front wheel arches. Elsewhere, despite the extremely-flowing roofline, designers managed to preserve BMW’s signature side window kink in the back.
The rear section is directly in line with the rest of the current lineup. In fact, most of the GT’s originality and distinctiveness stem from the posterior. The neon-style taillights still look gorgeous, while the trunk can be opened in two different ways. The first is a conventional, trunk lid-type design whereas the second consists in a more convenient liftgate which creates a vast opening and thus improves access to the cargo area. Incidentally, the Gran Turismo shares familiar lines with the aforementioned X6, which stands about 13-centimeter taller.
 |
| The headlight clusters retain their traditional shape, complete with a silver ‘’eyelid’’ in the upper corner. |