Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey — We just spent a day touring around New York State in BMW’s brand spanking new 5-Series Gran Turismo.
Normally, we’d get right to the “what's it like?” But this time it feels like we need to start with the “what is it?”
Because not only is it another genre buster, it seems also to straddle territory already occupied by other BMW products.
GT versus SUV
It’s a long and tall vehicle, which offers greater utility than a sedan. But so do the X5 (a full-on SUV), the X6 (a cross between a coupe and a SUV), and the 5-series Touring (a traditional station wagon).
On hand for this launch was Willem Rombauts, BMW’s product manager for all those vehicles; the perfect guy then to explain how the GT will augment BMW’s market penetration, without stepping on the toes of its stablemates…
First off, he noted that the GT is not an SUV. Those desiring a pure SUV will opt for the X5.
He also noted that it is becoming less socially acceptable to drive SUVs. The GT will appeal to those who seek some SUV attributes, like a high seating position, but don’t want a full SUV and/or its social implications.
When compared to a traditional wagon, Rombauts said the GT simply offers a more modern appearance, for those looking for that.
When it comes to differentiating itself from the X6, it gets more nuanced. Rombauts noted that while the X6 shares a similar profile with the GT, the X6 is both shorter and higher. It will attract more male buyers than GT, and those buyers are more likely to be traveling alone.
The GT is more focused on all the occupants of the vehicle. The term Gran Turismo was first used by Italian carmakers in the 1950s, to discern a two-seat sports machine that also had ample room for luggage and traveling comfort. BMW said it was time for the GT concept to be applied to a four-seat vehicle.
Normally, we’d get right to the “what's it like?” But this time it feels like we need to start with the “what is it?”
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| The 550i GT presents an interesting mix of attributes. |
Because not only is it another genre buster, it seems also to straddle territory already occupied by other BMW products.
GT versus SUV
It’s a long and tall vehicle, which offers greater utility than a sedan. But so do the X5 (a full-on SUV), the X6 (a cross between a coupe and a SUV), and the 5-series Touring (a traditional station wagon).
On hand for this launch was Willem Rombauts, BMW’s product manager for all those vehicles; the perfect guy then to explain how the GT will augment BMW’s market penetration, without stepping on the toes of its stablemates…
First off, he noted that the GT is not an SUV. Those desiring a pure SUV will opt for the X5.
He also noted that it is becoming less socially acceptable to drive SUVs. The GT will appeal to those who seek some SUV attributes, like a high seating position, but don’t want a full SUV and/or its social implications.
When compared to a traditional wagon, Rombauts said the GT simply offers a more modern appearance, for those looking for that.
When it comes to differentiating itself from the X6, it gets more nuanced. Rombauts noted that while the X6 shares a similar profile with the GT, the X6 is both shorter and higher. It will attract more male buyers than GT, and those buyers are more likely to be traveling alone.
The GT is more focused on all the occupants of the vehicle. The term Gran Turismo was first used by Italian carmakers in the 1950s, to discern a two-seat sports machine that also had ample room for luggage and traveling comfort. BMW said it was time for the GT concept to be applied to a four-seat vehicle.
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| The GT debuts with the 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged, direct-injection V8. |