There are so many interesting cars rolling out on to the show room floors that it is sometimes hard to keep up with all the new choices! But do check this novel new alternative from BMW: the BMW Gran Tourismo.

The name itself sounds particularly grand and somewhat exotic. It is, and, like the X6, it is definitely a machine that offers a different flavour from the other models offered by BMW. So where does it fit in? The swooping low roof line captures a degree of speed in the car’s overall exterior design. If the car’s roof line had been higher, you might have thought why not an X5. Allegedly, BMW have combined the interior space and luxury of a BMW 7-series with the load space and practicality of a 5-series Touring or X5. Sounds logical enough – so let’s take a closer look.

Amazingly, the BMW Gran Tourismo is, in fact, a mere whisker short of the 7-series’ length – making it taller than a 7-series but lower than an X5. Walk up to the BMW Gran Tourismo, and you are struck by the car’s length and prominent hatch-back design. The BMW Gran Tourismo, 5-series GT is one of the few four-door cars with frameless windows. BMW have made a nice job of the Gran Tourismo’s tail light design. There are twin exhaust outlets. And, from a few steps back looking down the BMW Gran Tourismo’s flanks, the car looks decidedly low-slung and sporty. Walk around to the front and BMW have ensured the GT remains true to BMW design. The familiar headlights and large kidney grille are elegantly in place.

A very clever design feature of this BMW hatchback/fastback design is the way in which you can independently open the tailgate separate from the glass. And, like a typical hatchback, you can choose to open the complete hatch – glass included. Lowering the bottom part creates a vertical aperture at the rear; lifting the entire thing creates a more conventional hatchback opening. BMW have provided this feature for the Gran Tourismo so that there is a protection for the passengers from a draft of cold air when the vertical aperture is opened.

Another clever BMW Gran Tourismo design feature is that the passenger space is sealed off from the boot space. The result is better acoustics and freedom from foul smells that might be travelling in the luggage compartment.

What’s it like inside? …Beautiful. The BMW Gran Tourismo cabin is impeccably crafted in stunning materials and colours. Very modern and classy, there are few better automotive interiors that you will enjoy sitting in. Seating is extremely comfortable and legroom excellent. The BMW GT is sold as a five-seater. Available in two or three-seat format, the 60:40-split rear seats also slide to and fro by up to 100mm.

Athletic on the road and very powerful, all the BMW Gran Tourismo models offer exceptional roadholding, and effortless power.

You can also expect optimum safety levels, because that’s what you’ll get. BMW has incorporated a precisely-designed networking of suspension, engine management, brakes and tyres, plus an array of electronic sensors to house one of the most advanced Active safety packages on the market. Passive safety is also off the top shelf, and that is why the body shell of the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo is constructed from new generation steel that absorbs forces in the deformation zones while load paths divert impact energy away from the passengers. Crash-activated headrests and the latest generation of airbags offer further passenger protection.

Take the BMW Gran Tourismo for a drive and you’ll be swept away with its nice looks, and superior engines and roadholding. You’ll also enjoy the legroom of a 7-series and the rear headroom of an X5.

The current model series includes the:

• 530d Gran Tourismo
• 535i Gran Tourismo
• 550i Gran Tourismo

For any more information on the BMW Gran Tourismo, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of BMW dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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