Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 37

Thread: BMW creates yet another new niche market with the 5-series Gran Turismo ...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Rozenburg
    Posts
    10,012

    BMW creates yet another new niche market with the 5-series Gran Turismo ...

    Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

    BMW's research and development department have mastered the art of finding answers to questions nobody had previously thought of asking. Whether these questions were not asked before for a good reason is up for debate. One of BMW's earlier answers was the X6, which combined elements of the 6-series coupe and the X5 SUV. Now BMW have created another niche market with the 5-Series Gran Turismo, which was previously shown in Concept form. The car holds the middle between a regular 5-Series and a hatchback. It features a longer wheelbase than the standard 5-Series and has a massive boot with a lid that hinges at the roof.
    The new BMW will come with a choice of three engines, including a new twin-turbo straight six (535i), an earth thumping common-rail diesel (530d) and the latest twin-turbo V8, which powers the top of the line 550i model. The highly efficient eight cylinder engine produces a hefty 407 bhp, yet is more frugal than its predecessors thanks to its direct fuel injection. The engines are mated to an automatic that, for good measure, has eight forward speeds. The 550i Gran Turismo will hit the markets this fall.
    We can only wonder what will come out of the Munich R&D department next. A thoroughly conventional but efficient sports car would be an answer to a question many people do ask.

    2009 BMW 550i Gran Turismo - Images, Specifications and Information

    Regards,
    Wouter Melissen
    If you should see a man walking down a crowded street talking aloud to himself, don't run in the opposite direction, but run towards him, because he's a poet. You have nothing to fear from the poet - but the truth.

    (Ted Joans)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Modena
    Posts
    9,826
    NO.
    I said NO.
    It's enormous, it's heavy, it's desperately ugly.
    Please welcome the sedan version of the Ssangyong Rodius.
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

    *cough* http://theitalianjunkyard.blogspot.com/ *cough*

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Coldenflat
    Posts
    4,557
    I think BMW's R&D has been having a little trouble asking "why not?" too often, and "why", too little.
    "I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring" - Richard Feynman, last recorded words.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    71
    Quote Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead View Post
    NO.
    I said NO.
    It's enormous, it's heavy, it's desperately ugly.
    Please welcome the sedan version of the Ssangyong Rodius.
    i thought i was the only one that would say so ugly

    what wrong with BMW guys

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Scotland, UK
    Posts
    1,163
    They probably use X5 / X6 underpinnings for this one, so it makes some sense financially, since they will get the money from the SUV's and just slash costs by producing more units.

    It's like a 5 door hatch in limo dimensions. Open did this with the Signum, which failed to raise the interest they were hoping, although it was a lot smaller than the BMW.

    Ugly car, but practical.

    Hope they won't make an M out of this one....
    Minimising losses can maximise net gains

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    I'm coming out.

    I like it.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Modena
    Posts
    9,826
    Quote Originally Posted by lightweight View Post
    They probably use X5 / X6 underpinnings for this one, so it makes some sense financially, since they will get the money from the SUV's and just slash costs by producing more units.

    It's like a 5 door hatch in limo dimensions. Open did this with the Signum, which failed to raise the interest they were hoping, although it was a lot smaller than the BMW.

    Ugly car, but practical.

    Hope they won't make an M out of this one....
    irrc the X5/6 underpinnings come from the previous gen 5 Series (the E60).
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

    *cough* http://theitalianjunkyard.blogspot.com/ *cough*

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Modena
    Posts
    9,826
    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer View Post
    I'm coming out.

    I like it.
    Oh Albert...
    Look at the side view, it's huge! This isn't a Gran Turismo. It's an inflated sedan with a big butt.
    I think even the Panamera looks better and makes more sense.
    I actually don't see why to introduce this, who was asking for a roomier 5 sedan or a smallish 5 estate.
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

    *cough* http://theitalianjunkyard.blogspot.com/ *cough*

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    Quote Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead View Post
    Oh Albert...
    Look at the side view, it's huge! This isn't a Gran Turismo. It's an inflated sedan with a big butt.
    I think even the Panamera looks better and makes more sense.
    I actually don't see why to introduce this, who was asking for a roomier 5 sedan or a smallish 5 estate.
    Well you like the R-Class, which is a bit like it.

    I'm not saying it's perfect, it isn't. But I find the concept of a spacious grand tourer with decent performance very appealing.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Scotland, UK
    Posts
    1,163
    Quote Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead View Post
    irrc the X5/6 underpinnings come from the previous gen 5 Series (the E60).
    Great! It's cheaper, too... Even less development costs!! A bargain..
    Minimising losses can maximise net gains

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Modena
    Posts
    9,826
    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer View Post
    Well you like the R-Class, which is a bit like it.

    I'm not saying it's perfect, it isn't. But I find the concept of a spacious grand tourer with decent performance very appealing.
    ...ok, I like the R-Klasse, that's true.
    the point is, I don't see the grand tourer here. But even a Cayenne Turbo S has decent performance right?

    let's even say the idea is good.
    I'd prefer a Quattroporte estate (the Bellagio was actually quite good looking, and weights 40 kg less). Or something properly spacious, perhaps not an R-Klasse, but a standard minivan as was the Phedra.
    now let's say the idea is good even in this shape.
    The car is quite bad looking though. Apart from the X6-ish look, the rear isn't really sporty, and the front is far from the glamor of the CS concept (which I never completely liked, the front fascia I mean).

    I see it as just an enlarged sedan. Once they did it, they though the boot wasn't as big as the dimensions were suggesting, so they went for the weird rear end. If it's suppose to be a gran tourer, it should weight a bit less. Even the Quattroporte which isn't particularly refined in this compartment weight 100 kg less.

    It's surely more comfortable than a 5 sedan, but it's definitely less proportioned, without considering the specific details.
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

    *cough* http://theitalianjunkyard.blogspot.com/ *cough*

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    East Coast of the United States
    Posts
    11,994
    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer View Post
    I'm coming out.

    I like it.
    So you hate the X6, but you like its only slightly smaller cousin?

    You make no sense.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    Quote Originally Posted by NSXType-R View Post
    So you hate the X6, but you like its only slightly smaller cousin?

    You make no sense.
    I hate the X6 because you carry around off-road hardware without actually being able to use it.

    This has no off-roading pretentions at all.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Barcelona
    Posts
    33,489
    Quote Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead View Post
    ...ok, I like the R-Klasse, that's true.
    the point is, I don't see the grand tourer here. But even a Cayenne Turbo S has decent performance right?

    let's even say the idea is good.
    I'd prefer a Quattroporte estate (the Bellagio was actually quite good looking, and weights 40 kg less). Or something properly spacious, perhaps not an R-Klasse, but a standard minivan as was the Phedra.
    now let's say the idea is good even in this shape.
    The car is quite bad looking though. Apart from the X6-ish look, the rear isn't really sporty, and the front is far from the glamor of the CS concept (which I never completely liked, the front fascia I mean).

    I see it as just an enlarged sedan. Once they did it, they though the boot wasn't as big as the dimensions were suggesting, so they went for the weird rear end. If it's suppose to be a gran tourer, it should weight a bit less. Even the Quattroporte which isn't particularly refined in this compartment weight 100 kg less.

    It's surely more comfortable than a 5 sedan, but it's definitely less proportioned, without considering the specific details.
    The problem with SUVs is their high centre of gravity (higher than this) and carrying all the excess weight of the off-road hardware (which this doesn't have).

    The problem with normal full size MPVs is that none has a well honed rear drive chasis and a sublime twin turbo six, except perhaps the R-Class.

    The problem with the Quattroporte is that it's less spacious for passengers than this, even the Bellagio estate version.

    I agree thought that the 5er GT has its problems. It's not exactly the best looking car in the world. The boot/hatch complexity adds unnecessary weight. And it's probably a tad too big and heavy. But as a concept I rather like it.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Modena
    Posts
    9,826
    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer View Post
    The problem with SUVs is their high centre of gravity (higher than this) and carrying all the excess weight of the off-road hardware (which this doesn't have).

    The problem with normal full size MPVs is that none has a well honed rear drive chasis and a sublime twin turbo six, except perhaps the R-Class.

    The problem with the Quattroporte is that it's less spacious for passengers than this, even the Bellagio estate version.

    I agree thought that the 5er GT has its problems. It's not exactly the best looking car in the world. The boot/hatch complexity adds unnecessary weight. And it's probably a tad too big and heavy. But as a concept I rather like it.
    that's it, now I recognize you

    EDIT: considering the internal dispositions of seats and other stuff and the structure, I wonder how taller the CG of an R-Klasse is compared to this one's.
    Obviously considering the 2wd R, as the 4wd both lowet the CG but it's also a bit pointless, if you don't live in a perennial snow storm.
    KFL Racing Enterprises - Kicking your ass since 2008

    *cough* http://theitalianjunkyard.blogspot.com/ *cough*

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Really useful performance listings...
    By Egg Nog in forum Technical forums
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: 04-18-2021, 05:13 PM
  2. BMW 1-Series (E81/E87) 2004-2011
    By Matt in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 99
    Last Post: 10-12-2011, 04:33 PM
  3. BMW 3-Series (E90) Sedan 2005-2011
    By Matt in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 76
    Last Post: 09-17-2009, 12:52 PM
  4. What BMW means??
    By Swissbeatz in forum Miscellaneous
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: 09-24-2007, 03:58 PM
  5. Hamann BMW 5 Series
    By Matt in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 08-17-2006, 06:43 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •