5 GT goes like a Bavarian bolt out of hell

12 May 2010 - 01:33 By Thomas Falkiner
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While a lot of German car makers seem to put a lot of effort into making all their products look more or less the same, BMW, apparently, takes an almost perverse pleasure in being different.



From the previous generation 7Series with its infamous "Bangle butt" to the X6 - a car about as subtle as an uncensored Lady Gaga music video - you can almost always count on this Munich-based firm to bring something avant-garde to the executive party.

I've always been a fan of its more left-field car designs, but the latest creation to roll off BMW's drawing board and onto our roads still has me rubbing my chin with indecision. Though it's utterly smashing from some angles - that mean, sharkish nose and grille being particularly good to look at - there are others that don't do the new 5Series Gran Turismo any favours.

Consequently, it's a hard vehicle to like going on looks and styling alone. Fortunately, however, seated behind that fantastically shaped leather steering wheel, it's a completely different story altogether.

For, despite its considerable size and bulk, the new 5Series GT is actually a pretty decent thing to drive around in. Don't get me wrong, it's certainly nowhere near as sharp as some of the other cars in the current BMW stable, but for what the GT is, namely, a classy alternative to the all-too-common and predictable SUV, I really couldn't find much fault in the way it barrelled along the tarmac.

For starters, this hatch-backed 5Series disguises its weight well, a feature that encourages you to fling it around with far more gusto than you would some of its less sporty rivals. And when you do, riding atop a stellar chassis that's been hooked up to an advanced suspension setup, the way it behaves simply encourages you to give it even more stick.

Complementing these capable underpinnings is just enough steering feedback to spur you on and, with the traction control turned off, sufficient power from that smooth, three-litre diesel engine to kick that rump out around tighter corners. Unfortunately, the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox - an extra ratio helps boost economy figures - to which it has been mated does let the side down from time to time. For, though it's super quick and sniper-accurate in the way it fires up and down the cogs, BMW's decision not to couple it to any steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters means that the involvement of the driver is somewhat compromised when you're really hoofing it.

I'm not sure about you, but when I'm giving a car with an automatic transmission horns, I don't like taking my hands off the wheel much. And, regrettably, unless you leave the shifting duties up to the gearbox's computer - a bit of a cop-out for driving purists - this is something you can't do in the 5 GT.

Regardless, where this particular BMW scores most of its brownie points is out on the open road.

A cruiser born, it turns out that the new 5Series GT is extremely comfortable and makes driving long journeys an absolute pleasure.

I'll admit that I've usually found BMW interiors to be rather uninviting places, but the sumptuous, black-leather womb of this Bavarian takes comfort levels to a whole new tier. For, not only is there a phenomenal amount of space for occupants in the front and rear, BMW's engineers have also spent a great deal of time making the cabin as refined as possible. Consequently there's hardly any wind or road noise to interfere with the particularly sublime acoustics of that punchy sound system; one of the best I've ever listened to.

Having said this, I did find rearward visibility to be severely limited when parking and the amount of boot space - accessible by that weird dual-function boot lid - a little on the stingy side. Still, for a luxurious people carrier, you could do a lot worse.

All in all, I enjoyed my time inside our 530d GT. I was impressed by its performance when I drove it at its overseas launch last year and it still leaves me with a smile on my face.

Unfortunately, after all this time, I haven't been able to warm to that ungainly derriere and awkward profile. And I can't help but think that - maybe worryingly for BMW - not too many other motorists will, either. Particularly in our unadventurous South African market.



The Specs

  • Engine: 2993cc, six-cylinder turbo-diesel
  • Power: 180kW at 4000rpm
  • Torque: 540Nm from 1750 to 3000rpm
  • 0-100km/h: 6.9 seconds (claimed)
  • Top speed: 240km/h (claimed)
  • Fuel consumption: 6.5l/100km (claimed combined)
  • Price: From R733000




Ratings

Practicality: 7/10

IT'S a big, comfortable cruiser that places an emphasis on occupant comfort rather than tons of luggage space. It's something you can drive and enjoy every day.

Petrolhead-kudos: 6/10

It may be a weird-looking machine, but the 5GT still comes standard with that legendary BMW driveability. Not the sharpest tool in the Beemer shed, but good enough.

Carbon footprint: 7/10

The carbon levels weigh in at a reasonable 173g/km. However, due to some hard driving over our test period, we could manage a combined fuel economy figure of only 11.8l/100km.

Value for money: 6.5/10

The 5GT comes standard with a fairly generous amount of equipment, but the options list is vast and capable of sending the price soaring.

Pump damage

Optimistically, if you travel an average of 1200km a month, you'll have to fork out about R510.

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