By Mark Elias
Tuesday, Dec 8th, 2009 @ 2:28 pm

All it’s really going to take is an open mind. That’s what BMW asked of consumers when now-former BMW designer Chris Bangle unleashed his new styles to the public in 2002. At that time, his take on the new 7-Series was as polarizing as any we can remember. Bangle is gone, but like catching lightning in a bottle for a second time, an open mind is what they hope greets the introduction of the new BMW 550i Gran Turismo.

Precursor to a new 5… eventually
The new 5-Series Gran Turismo is the first of a new breed of BMW that foreshadows the upcoming 5-Series sedans due for a 2010 launch. Although it has 5-Series as part of its name, it receives large doses of 7-Series DNA by virtue of its design. With what appears as the largest greenhouse this side of an X5, the 5 GT features a new front end with the cat eye headlamps and the new softer, rounder kidney bean grille. What the new 5 GT has going for itself is a slightly longer wheelbase than the non-GT platform. Compared to the 7-Series short wheelbase model, it shares the same footprint, though the body’s overall length will show three inches have been clipped from the rear overhang. This pays off by way of the larger, roomier executive sedan seating in the rear.

Breakthroughs for the 550i Gran Turismo include the 4.4-liter, twin-turbo, direct-injection engine. It’s hardly the first time we’ve seen it, but it is one of our favorite engines – this time seen in a new application.

Second on the breakthrough category is what BMW calls its “Dual-Access Tailgate.” We’ll call it a hatchback, two-ways. (Like Five-Way Chili). With the ability to open wide to swallow the new standard of measurement, the golf bag, it can handle up to four of them. Fold down the seats and it will take even more. As an alternative, the other part of the dual-access feature allows just a trunk-sized portion of the rear hatch open to protect the occupants from the outside elements.

And for the first time in a non-hybrid BMW in North America, Brake Energy Regeneration will be available. In this case getting off the gas will help with saving fuel and will charge the battery while braking. Expect to see this on every non-hybrid BMW soon.

Style and substance
Looking at the skin that wraps the 5-Series GT, it’s clear to see that the “flame” styling from the past has moved on. Flared fenders lead to sculptured body side panels with a definitive waist with scalloped edges below. Frameless side windows give a lighter cleaner look and even the “Hofmeister Kink” signature detail is here, this time moved rearward into an opera window framing. Stylized for sure, it shows consistency of form, back to its first appearance in 1961.

The front end features the new look of BMW. More organic in appearance, it lends a softer dynamic to the “Kidney-shaped” openings that have become the company trademarks. Halo rings set off the headlamps and create the daylight running lights instead of the main beam. Overall, though, the look is a cross between an Anime monster and a pair of feline eyes. If the 5-Series GT has a weakness from a styling standpoint, it would have to be while looking at the vehicle’s rear. The high decklid certainly cuts into the rearward vision. Perhaps that’s why a 270-degree surround view camera is an available option that gives you a three-quarters view of the car for obstacles, toys, bikes, pets, garden gnomes and so forth.

Power under hood and foot
The twin-turbo direct injection V8 is the engine we have seen in the X6 and the X6 ActiveHybrid. Based on the 4.8-liter, normally aspirated engine, its total displacement has been reduced to 4.4-liters with the addition of the turbines. It’s a powerful performer, producing 400 horsepower from an engine that gets decent mileage despite its high output. With the twin turbos in the valley between the cylinder heads, where the fuel injection was traditionally located, it makes for a more compact package that still kicks out up to 450 lb-ft of torque. The V8 is mated to the 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission, which utilizes direct shifts from 8th gear down to 2nd for rapid acceleration that shows off its ability in mere milliseconds. Zero-to-60 mph is quickly achieved in 5.4 seconds.

EPA mileage is rated at 15-mpg city/21-mpg highway for a rating of 17 miles per gallon combined. That’s not too terribly shabby for a car weighing in at an astounding 4,938 pounds. Through our drive that had us cruising up to the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York, we found a sedan that was a luxo-cruiser at times and at others wanted to be a racehorse, too. Stepping on the throttle showed a car that made overtaking effortless, with a hint of engine audio coming into the cabin to let you know that the engine room was working at top pace.

The 5 GT joins the 7-Series with multi-link suspension kits at both the front and rear end of the car. Previously only seen on the X5 and X6, it deletes the MacPherson struts in favor of the multi-links, which now provide for larger brakes all around. Additionally, an available (optional) Active Steering system shortens the turning radius of the rear wheels by actually steering them.

A 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine will be available after the initial launch. With twin-turbo power, similar to the engine seen in the BMW 335i engine, it will produce 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft. of torque and should be called the 535i GT. Additionally, it will be the first time that Direct Injection, TwinPower turbo and a variable-valve train are together in the same package. The new eight-speed transmission, which will be in both cars, is actually the same size and weight as the six-speed model it replaces.

Inside and more
Our Champagne-colored test vehicle was a high-zoot model featuring heated and ventilated seats, with adjustable bolstering, and movable lumbar. If you can’t find a comfortable seating position with these you should stick to the bus. The 5 GT is offered normally as a five-seater, but an executive seating package similar to that found in the X6 thus making it a true four-seater is also available. This would be our choice simply for the features that come with it, including reclining seat backs and seat bottoms that slide forward and for the fact that we usually only carry two other people with us.

Regardless, BMW says the take rate of the five-seater will be much higher than the executive sedan four-seater option.

Beyond the seating, the interior is built to the typical high standards we have seen in previous BMW models. Grey-tinted curly maple wood veneers surround the interior’s beltline, while accent lighting strips show their way around the interior after dark. The black panel display is a HD set of illuminated panels that display the gauges and various navigation and information screens and can be changed according to systems and their functions.

The center stack is topped off by an eight-inch diagonal screen, which displays audio, climate, navigation and phone controls. Below are an in-dash CD and DVD player and automatic climate controls. The organically shaped shifter lever offers the driver a choice of automatic or shift it yourself functions. The new, fourth-generation iDrive controller dial sits to the right of the shifter; Ride and traction controls are to the left.

Leftlane’s bottom line
We found the 5 GT to be an extremely agile performer, which is all more surprising when you consider the sheer bulk of the car. Don’t let its size fool you. It is a tight handling grand-touring machine, which follows BMW’s DNA and mantra of being the “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

Similar in concept to the long-defunct Saab 9000, this 5-Series hatchback, as it might be viewed in the simplest of terms (despite riding on unique architecture), the 550i Gran Turismo’s real-world practicality pales in comparison to the more conventional X5. It will be up to the marketplace to determine if BMW’s ever-changing, niche-oriented identity is a bet that pays off.

BMW 550i Gran Turismo base price, $63,900.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.

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