| New for 2010, the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is a 4-door car that's not quite sedan, not quite wagon. Instead, it is just the right balance between performance sedan and people hauler-the very essence of a GT.
The GT is currently offered as the 550i, which boasts a 400-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. The 32-valve engine employs BMW's Double VANOS steplessly variable valve timing and direct fuel injection for increased efficiency. An 8-speed automatic transmission (a BMW first) with Sport and Manual shift modes puts all that power to the rear wheels. It also incorporates Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC), which recognizes driving styles and adapts shift patterns to suit the style. The GT also incorporates regenerative brakes, which recharge the car's battery by harnessing the energy expended during braking.
A 535i GT model, planned for later in the model year, will derive its power from a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-6, mated to a 6-speed automatic. An all-wheel drive model is also slated for later in the year.
Integral Active Steering makes low-speed steering more nimble and high-speed steering more precise, while Adaptive Drive allows drivers to change the dynamics of the suspension, shift points and throttle response to suit their individual tastes with four distinct modes: NORMAL, COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+.
Drivers are presented with a heads-up display which helps keeps eyes on the road by projecting the current speed and any warning signals on the windshield. A dual-pane panoramic roof above makes the cabin light and airy. The dual-access tailgate is a slick piece of engineering: small items can be accessed through a small hatch without exposing the cabin to outside elements, while a full tailgate opens to allow for larger items like golf bags and baby carriages. With the sliding 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats folded down, the GT provides more than 60 cubic feet of storage.
Standard amenities include everything you'd expect from BMW-lots of leather, multi-function driver's and passenger's seats, elegant wood accents, a 12-speaker CD audio system with HD radio, automatic climate control with micro-filter ventilation, iDrive with navigation, and more.
Notable packages include the Sport Package, which add either 19- or 20-inch wheels, electronic suspension damping, multi-contour seats, Active Roll Stabilization and Adaptive Drive. A Driver Assistance Package includes blind spot detection and a lane departure warning, while a Luxury Rear Seating Package provides heated and ventilated rear seats and a power sunshade. In all, eight packages can be specified, plus more than a dozen standalone options. |