On the road, the car luckily doesn’t feel as heavy as it is, thanks to gobs of power and torque, a 50/50-split weight distribution and—we guess—Integral Active Steering, which turns the rear wheels slightly to reduce the car’s turning circle. You’ll also notice a good difference between the Normal and Sport+ modes of the Driving Dynamics Control system, which includes an adjustable suspension and varies throttle response accordingly.
But the car’s drive feels artificial. There are so many microchips at work, and every aspect of the drive is so electronically controlled that you don’t feel the connection between man and machine as you normally should in a BMW. It’s no longer the “Ultimate Driving Machine”, but the “Ultimate Driving by Itself Machine”.
But maybe we’re a little harsh. The Gran Turismo’s all about long-distance cruising in utter comfort for five—but especially four—adults. With the suspension in Normal mode, the car glides on the highway and the cabin is serene.
In the GT, seat cushion height is higher than in a 5-Series Sedan. Up front, the Comfort Seats are adjustable in so many ways that anyone, no matter what shape and size, can find a comfortable driving position. In back, the split-folding and reclining rear seatbacks fold down to reveal—surprise—a split-folding wall between the cabin and the cargo hold.
The cabin is lined with sumptuous leather, although its Ivory White shade will definitely look dirty after a few months of driving with jeans, kids in the back seat, winter slush, and… well I think you get the idea.
The standard panoramic sunroof is a good move, as it brightens up the cockpit for rear-seat occupants and gives the impression of extra interior space. Back-seat passengers also get their own climate control settings.
 |
| With all the microchips at work, the car feels artificial. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
But the car’s drive feels artificial. There are so many microchips at work, and every aspect of the drive is so electronically controlled that you don’t feel the connection between man and machine as you normally should in a BMW. It’s no longer the “Ultimate Driving Machine”, but the “Ultimate Driving by Itself Machine”.
But maybe we’re a little harsh. The Gran Turismo’s all about long-distance cruising in utter comfort for five—but especially four—adults. With the suspension in Normal mode, the car glides on the highway and the cabin is serene.
In the GT, seat cushion height is higher than in a 5-Series Sedan. Up front, the Comfort Seats are adjustable in so many ways that anyone, no matter what shape and size, can find a comfortable driving position. In back, the split-folding and reclining rear seatbacks fold down to reveal—surprise—a split-folding wall between the cabin and the cargo hold.
The cabin is lined with sumptuous leather, although its Ivory White shade will definitely look dirty after a few months of driving with jeans, kids in the back seat, winter slush, and… well I think you get the idea.
The standard panoramic sunroof is a good move, as it brightens up the cockpit for rear-seat occupants and gives the impression of extra interior space. Back-seat passengers also get their own climate control settings.
 |
| The cabin is lined with sumptuous leather, although its Ivory White shade will definitely look dirty after a few months of driving with jeans. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |