BMW's bold and brave Gran Turismo

It's an awesome drive.

But what exactly it is, or pretends to be, is difficult to define even though the suits at BMW are quite adamant that this is the first bold move towards creating a brand-new segment in the automobile market.

Jawelnofine as they say in South Africa, but if there are already 169 BMW models in South Africa to choose from, ranging from small to BEE saloons, convertibles, coupes, station wagons and red-hot M-badged scorchers to X1, X3, X5 and X6 sports utility vehicles, why then create a cocktail that contains elements of all of these?

A niche product

Ah, they explain, but this is a niche product, designed for the trendies who will buy it just because it's new, very different, contentious and has a BMW badge on the bonnet.

Granted, they might have a point. Remember the outcry when the first Bingle-bungle 7 Series was unveiled and when the weird-looking X6 hit the showrooms? Love them or hate them, but they certainly created a buzz in the market. Both models turned out to be superb driving machines, even though many regarded (and still regard) them as unloved and unlovable.

More than enough power.

So, then back to the new 5 Series Gran Turismo - another Picasso love it or hate it automotive creation. Not that BMW seems the slightest bit concerned. They reckon there is a market for the Grand Turismo and that they will sell about 50 of them a month.

And no doubt the dealers will be delighted too, particularly as the three GTs kick-off with price tags of R733 000 for the 530d, R737 000 for the 535i and a scorching R959 500 for the flagship 550i Gran Turismo.

Seeing double… Big bottom, big boot

Like all Beemers the GT looks great from the front; low, broad and brawny. From the side it starts off all slinky coupe, but then the landscape changes quite dramatically with a rather bulbous bum that looks as though it needs to go on a salad diet and spend some serious time in the gym.

But there is a reason for its big bottom and has all to do with the practicality of its luggage lid, a feature about which BMW makes a big fuss.

All three GTs are fitted with the eight-speed automatic transmission.click to enlarge

It's not just an ordinary boot you see. It is actually a double tailgate that opens normally, but at the press of a button it reaches for the sky to create an opening big enough to park an Army tank.

The GT's normal luggage capacity is a not too shabby 440 litres. Move the rear seats forward (without decreasing leg space by much) and this space increases to 590 litres. Fold the seats forward and you have all of 1 700 litres of packing space.

That's the SUV practicality of this saloon-hatchback, you see…. Sure it's cool and convenient, but is that enough to sway buyers away from an X5?

Just the ticket for Mrs Bucket… all class and quality

Well, if that's not good enough, try the interior for size. Boy, what a cabin. What class, what style, what space…..about the same leg stretching area as a 7 series and even more head room than an X5.

And, as we have become to expect from BMW, the living quarters is alive with gizmos, some of whom might confuse initially, but ultimately combine to create an exceptionally smart and elegant First Class travel environment.

The living quarters are alive with gizmos.click to enlarge

Right, so a question mark then about its looks and top marks for comfort, style and class. But, in the final analysis BMW builds cars to be driven and enjoyed, so what are the three new GTs like on the road?

The quick one-word answer is - terrific!

Home James, and don't spare the horses

They are absolutely awesome to drive, whether you want to waft and float gently to your destination in comfort mode setting or, at the click of a button, opt for the “let's go get them, tiger” mode.

I drove all three models at the media launch and except for a brief spell in comfort or normal mode, all the real fun was when the cars were encouraged to grow horns in settings that instantly changed their engine and suspension set-ups from executive chauffeur-driven saloons to lead-footed bad boy racers.

Let's not waste space on techno-babble, but it is necessary to briefly explain the metamorphous process a flick of a button can bring about in these GTs.

It's all about what BMW calls Dynamic Drive Control which influences not only the gearshift dynamics, but also the fuel feed and steering. And this can even be jazzed up further with an optional extra called Adaptive Drive.

A boot with a difference.click to enlarge

This gives the driver the choice between Normal, Sport and Sport+ settings at the press of a button…. With the extreme setting even reducing the intervention of electronic nurse maids such as stability control and traction control to the point where it becomes quite possible to run out of experience and tar road.

Hard to match, hard to beat

My first driving stint took me at a fairly leisurely pace (except for a few quiet back stretches) from the airport to Franschhoek in the 530d oil-burner which has a hefty 540 Nm punch from less than 2000 rpm.

BMW's fabulous six-cylinder is world-acclaimed and as diesels go it is difficult to match, let alone beat. And it certainly doesn't lack in enthusiasm, sprinting easily from zero to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 240 km/h.

Fuel usage is a conservative 6.5 litres/100 kilometres and CO2 emissions are kept down to 173 g/km.

The driver has the choice between Normal, Sport and Sport+ settings at the press of a button.click to enlarge

After lunch I got behind the wheel of the 535i for the exciting Franschhoek Pass, one of the finest stretches of road this side of the equator for testing any car's tar-hugging, braking and steering limits.

Although the 535i is marginally more rapid with a sprint time of 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h I preferred the slightly more glued-to-the-road feel of the diesel.

Forget the chauffeur - take the wheel

But then came the ultimate GT drive - the almighty powerful 550i, 4.3-litre V8 which chopped the quick dash speed down to 5.5 seconds. Besides being the height of leathered luxury the thundering growl of its V8 at full power is the stuff of goose flesh…. Much too nice to let a chauffeur have all the fun.

All three GTs are fitted with the eight-speed automatic transmission which up to now has only done duty in the BMW 760Li twelve-cylinder luxury saloon. And the cog-swopping process is so quick and clean that even high-spirited drivers would be happy to leave it up to its own devices.

The seating's versatility provides you with a range of options.click to enlarge

Standard on all GTs are all the usual safety devices one would expect from a luxury car in this price bracket including crash-activated headrests at the front, a tyre pressure monitor, fog lamps, adaptive brake lights and bi-xenon dual headlights with a daytime driving light function.

Something for everyone

The wide range of standard features includes telecommunication and navigation systems, a USB port, an 80 GB hard disc for navigation data and the user's private music collection, a multi-channel audio system, a DAB double tuner, a panorama glass roof optimised for noise control and automatic air conditioning.

As is the norm with the Teutonic Threesome the list of optional (and expensive!) extras is long and varied.

Even though the jury is likely to stay out for a long time to debate the GT's looks there is no doubt that this car is going to be a talking point in pubs and clubs for a long time to come.

And to be sure, as an alternative to the usual choices of prestigious and elegant company cars and leisure-time vehicles, the GT is in a class all of its own.

Right Audi and Mercedes-Benz - the ball is in your court. Match or trump this GT if you can.

Dimensions

Additional information and specifications