A SUPER CAR

BMW 5 SERIES 530D is adding further choice to its 5 Series line-up with the introduction of the new 5 Series Gran Turismo. The segment-busting machine is claimed to fuse the luxury and space of a luxury saloon with some of the height and versatility of an SUV to create a modern re-interpretation of a classic Gran Turismo. And that's exactly what BMW has decided to call its new model, the 5 Series Gran Turismo. BMW claims a 'coupé-like' silhouette, but the Gran Turismo is some way off the svelte looks of its Maserati GranTurismo namesake. However, the odd BMW mash-up of saloon and SUV is more successful in looks than we first anticipated. Rear legroom is said to match the 7 Series - the 5 GT actually sharing most of its underpinnings with the big luxury flagship machine despite its '5' model designation - while headroom is said to match that of the X5 SUV. The GT's sloping rear suggests a hatchback to access the large boot though BMW has adopted a twin-door solution like the Skoda Superb, which offers both hatchback and smaller saloon-like boot access. The rear seats slide fore and aft and they're available in either a conventional three-passenger layout or two-seat format with the individual pews separated by a large centre console. Initially offered with a choice of three engines - all mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission - the 5 GT will be rear-wheel drive from launch. Four-wheel drive versions are expected to bolster the model line-up from 2011 in left-hand drive markets. Of the three engines offered, the single 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel choice will be the biggest seller in the UK. It produces 245bhp and 398lb.ft of torque and returns 43.5mpg on the official combined economy cycle. It'll do worse if you attempt to match its 6.9-second 0-62mph time away from every traffic light, the 530d GT's performance impressive given its bulk. A 3.0-litre petrol six-cylinder unit with two turbochargers that pumps out 306bhp and 295lb.ft of torque is also offered, as is a flagship 4.4-litre twin-turbo unit with 407bhp and 5.5-second 0-62mph ability. Even with the standard fitment of BMW's EfficientDynamics to all models, the range-topping 550i GT's 25.2mpg combined consumption figure means it'll find few buyers in Europe. Loaded with BMW's latest kit, the 5 GT can be specified with Adaptive Drive in addition to the standard Dynamic Drive Control, featuring infinitely variable dampers to allow you to choose how driver focussed or not you want your Gran Turismo. The extensive options list includes a head-up display, radar guided cruise control with a stop and go facility, lane departure and change warnings, night vision, speed limit information, four-zone climate control and many more ways to add to the cost. Prices have yet to be announced, these expected to be released at the Gran Turismo's official Frankfurt Motor Show unveiling this September. Kyle Fortune - 22 May 2009


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19 Jun: Honda has announced summer deals on its Civic. The three-door, 1.4-litre Type S is discounted by £1,200 with an on-the-road price of £13,550, while the Type R GT is now £17,980 - a saving of £2,000. [more...] [photo]19 Jun: Toyota's rear-wheel drive coupé developed jointly with Subaru (codenamed 086A), will take its styling cues from the Lexus LF-A. If it comes to the UK it will cost about £20,000. The Subaru version will have similar styling and about 200bhp.17 Jun: A convertible version of the Audi R8 has been spied at the Nurburgring. The soft-top loses the coupé's distinctive side blades. Expect to see the finished version at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show.