Gran Turismo

THE covers are off the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, just don’t expect to see any zipping around the Gold Coast – there are none. Well actually, there’s one, but it has been allocated to Bruce Lynton as his personal drive car. So if you read this and want one, be prepared to wait for a bit.

The GT has been designed as a modern take on the classic Gran Turismo and combines the stylish elegance of a premium sedan with a generous and versatile interior and a slightly elevated seating position.

Distinguishing characteristics include frameless door windows and fully variable rear seats, as well as a twin boot lid. The car will go head-to-head with Porsche’s Panamera as grand touring hotshots.

An eight-speed auto transmission has resulted in closer spacing of gear ratios for smoother and faster gearshifts. Whether you can use all eight outside of the autobahns is perhaps another story. Apparently it enables the vehicle to make more consistent use of the optimum rev range. BMW says this contributes significantly to the low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Engines in the GT are powered by BMW EfficientDynamics and customers can choose between a 180 kW/245 hp six-cylinder in-line diesel unit; a newly developed, 225 kW/306 hp six-cylinder in-line petrol engine; and a 300 kW/407 hp V8 petrol engine. The latter two are fitted with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and high precision injection.

The new engine is the first to combine a turbocharger with Valvetronic and direct petrol injection (High Precision Injection). The BMW TwinPower Turbo features a turbocharger driven by two separate exhaust gas streams (TwinScroll technology) for extremely fast response. Together with fully variable Valvetronic valve lift control and high precision injection, this results in prodigious power and acceleration.

Equipped with Adaptive Drive (optional), Driving Dynamic Control (standard) and advanced chassis components, the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo features state-of-the-art technology to ensure supreme comfort while also offering the type of handling and dynamism that sets a new precedent for BMW in its segment.

Driving Dynamic Control offers four driving modes – Comfort (only in conjunction with Adaptive Drive), Normal, Sport and Sport + – to change vehicle response at the touch of a button.

Adaptive Drive performs independent and infinitely variable damper adjustments to suit the road surface. Body roll is significantly reduced and as a result, ride comfort is impressive, even when cornering at speed. The vehicle is agile and responds to the steering wheel and remains unaffected by throttle adjustments.

A unique feature in the premium segment is Integral Active Steering, available as an option, combining rear-wheel steering with active steering on the front axle.

The 530d GT is available from $154,500 on road.

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