Driven: BMW 5-series GT
Is it a hatch? Is it an SUV? Is it a luxury limo? Garlick finds out...
This is what you'll be told if you read through the reasons given by BMW for creating the GT and, on paper at least, that theory stands up. In the metal, however, what you get is a large odd-looking hatchback that's too well finished to put the dog in, yet isn't stately enough to be a limo. Is this, perhaps, a niche too far?
The seats are equally pleasant to look at, but personally I found them rather uncomfortable and never did find the right seating position, despite having numerous electronic controls at my disposal. The rear seats are spacious, offer electronic adjustment including fore and aft by 100mm, separate climate controls and sunblinds on the rear and side windows.
Continuing with the practicalities, the GT does have a rather large boot and offers the choice of opening a small bootlid or a full tailgate. I am told that this unusual dual tailgate is there because European luxury car customers prefer not to have a cold draught around their neck when the driver loads the luggage.
We tested the turbocharged 535i GT, which produces 302bhp and 295lb ft of torque, gives a top speed of 155mph and covers 0-62mph in 6.3secs. All GT models are fitted with a new eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard, and the first thing you note is that there aren't any 'paddles' to manually change the gears. There is a 'manual' function on the gear selector, but this is the first hint that the GT isn't a car with obvious sporting intentions.
Naturally I select Sport + and head off. It's brisk enough, and sounds pleasant. Reaching the twisty sections I take the first corner at a decent, but not ridiculous, pace and I am a little caught-out as the car runs wider than I was expecting, using up a good majority of the road. I adjust my speed accordingly for the next few miles thinking that, while it handles well for its size, it doesn't handle like a BMW should do.
Away from the B-roads, the 5-series GT finds its comfort zone, settling into an 80mph cruise in near-silence (bar a wind whistle from the A-pillar which is small but irritating). A fantastic audio system, great headlights, and beautiful interior lighting means the 5-series GT lends itself to relaxed cruising, even if the seats never allowed me to get too comfy, leading to mild back ache.
I'm now in 'normal' mode and the eight-speed 'box can get a little confused here as it seems to be spoilt for a choice of ratios. You can almost hear it thinking 'does the driver want me to go down one or two ratios here?' 'Maybe he wants three?' 'What if I just stay in top?' by the time it has decided, the car that you wanted to overtake has started to make ground on you and you need to catch up. Best to leave it in sport mode if you want to rely on the auto alone.
It's well equipped with leather, panoramic sunroof, air conditioning, park distance control and metallic plate all as standard, but as tested this car costs £55,395 with over £11,000-worth of options fitted. The thing is, a regular 5-series would do an equally good job for 90 per cent of the time, especially with the new model just around the corner. If you need space, it's hard to beat a 5-series Touring, after all. And that at least handles in a manner that you would expect from a BMW. If, on the other hand, you want a high driving position, there is a whole host of BMW X models to choose from. That's if you are insistent on choosing a BMW in the first place. If not, the list of alternative vehicles that could do an equally good - or better - job than the 5-series GT begins to get rather long.
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)Come to think of it, the shade didn't retract fully so I see you point, however when open the glass roof really made the cabin feel spacious.
)Come to think of it, the shade didn't retract fully so I see you point, however when open the glass roof really made the cabin feel spacious.
It was sliding/understeering?
Although like Most recent BM Incarnations it will be a Grower and will subsequently Sell in Good Numbers!
...It's a Good job they produce Mighty Fine Machines!, Otherwise they would be Struggling!
You cant help but like a Manufacturer who is prepared to be daring in design!
If they had made it a 3-dr shooting brake then I could see some point to it, creating its own niche (much like the Renault Avantime did (or do I mean Vel Satis?)).
I suspect the Americans, as always, are to blame. There doesn't seem to be a market for luxury station wagons (indeed the 5-series estate is only available as a 535ix out there) so manufactures have to dream up weird crossovers instead.
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