Well for starters, the GT is not quite as handsome as the sedan. That's not to say that the GT is unattractive. The front end is very similar to the just introduced sixth generation 5 series sedan. The front end is elegant and will likely find more fans than the previous generation. The side character line is sharply creased and reminiscent of the new 7. The rear, however is where things get a little funky. The purpose of the new 550i GT is to be more practical than the sedan by virtue of it's hatch back design. The back end, however, just looks slightly swollen. It's not dissimilar from the X6, but when attached to the front of a 5 series, it looks a little ungainly. Not only that, when standing out side of the car, trying to take in all the details, one can't help but be slightly surprised by the sheer size of the thing. The tall roof and exaggerated rump make it look enormous. I would say it's more of an acquired taste. So if it were an animal it would not be as handsome as a horse.
As a long distance distance people hauler it equals the performance of a normal 5 series sedan. The front passengers are treated to the same level of luxury and gadgetry typical of a BMW. There is satellite navigation, HD radio, power adjustable heated seats, dual zone climate control, premium sound system, Park Distance Control, heated steering wheel, and even a Brake Energy Regeneration System. Rear passengers are treated to a great deal of legroom if not outstanding headroom despite the scalloped head liner. The interior styling is attractive and very well finished. If the GT were an animal it would have to be at least as capable of carrying people as a horse.
When it comes to carrying luggage, the horse, er 5 series sedan, is capable. But the GT's versatility is even greater. The new hatch back design allows for increased cargo capacity. It also offers greater ease of access thanks to the unique dual opening hatch. Press the center release switch, tucked under the chrome bar in the back, and just the bottom portion of the hatch opens, much like a normal trunk lid. The opening is fairly small but has the advantage of keeping the interior sealed off from the outside air. Close the small lid and press the button further to the right and the entire hatch raises automatically. This reveals a wide opening allowing for greater access. Drop the 60/40 folding rear seats and you have 60 cubic feet of storage. So the GT is capable of carrying more cargo than a horse.
The new GT is also pretty fleet. The drive train is pretty much a direct carry over from the new 750i. It features the same 4.4 liter, twin turbo charged V8 that will be shared with the 6th generation sedan. It differs, however, in that the GT features BMW's new eight speed gear box. The transmission allows for strong acceleration in low gears, but also allows for tall cruising gears to help improve fuel economy. The drive train means performance should be on par with the normal sedan. The chassis is very stiff and the suspension is set up quite nicely. The GT handles bumps with nary a complaint. It also takes corners with a good bit of confidence. The GT is, however, almost unbelievably heavy at a BMW rated 4938 unladen pounds. Add fluids and a passenger or two and it's well above 5000 lbs. This means that there is a generous helping of roll in the corners. The GT, however, remains composed and grip is well maintained. This means the animal should be nearly as fast as a horse if not as agile.
If the 5 series sedan is a horse, given its attributes I would say the new GT is more like a camel. The camel is just as good at carrying people, can haul a good deal more stuff, and is nearly as fast, if less agile, than a horse. Camels, however, are not without their draw backs.
Considering the drool, the humps, and somewhat odd proportions no one I know would consider a camel as handsome as a horse. The same can be said of the GT versus the sedan regarding its looks. I would like to note, however, that BMW has successfully resolved any drooling problems the GT may have had. During my drive I did notice the GT turning a few heads. Whether this is due to the sheer size of the GT or it's odd proportions, ride a camel down the road and the reactions probably wouldn't be dissimilar. So the decision must be made if one is willing to give up the sharp lines of the new 5 series sedan in order to gain a bit of practicality. There are cultures that find camels to be beautiful creatures so this is potentially not an issue for some.
The horse and camel are also very nearly equals when it comes to rough terrain. While neither the 5 series sedan nor the GT are even remotely intended for off road use, the GT does have a higher ride height which could be comforting on a dirt road. The camel affords a much higher seating position much like the GT. Driving the GT I found myself eye to eye with small pickup and crossover drivers. The windshield seems to be almost vertical from the driver's seat. The high roof gives the front passengers more head room than they'll know what to do with. This means the GT has terrific sight-lines. At least to the front. Have your side mirrors adjusted properly because a sedan visible in the right side mirror will all but disappear behind the large c-pillar and small rear window when looking over your shoulder.
Other issues I noted during my drive centered primarily around the drive train. In a brief stint of stop and go traffic, with the car in sport mode, the car felt a little jerky at very low speeds. It seemed unsure of which gear was appropriate and the brakes felt grabby. The throttle also lacked linearity and seemed to have just a little too much initial tip in before the engine responds. These traits seemed to improve when the car was in its normal mode, so save the sport mode for the back roads. Also when powering up a hill, the gear box had to drop a few gears which resulted in an unexpected surge of power instead of just maintaining speed. One other gripe is that the LCD speedo completely washes out in direct sunlight.
While I can make no comparison on the relative fuel efficiency of a camel versus a horse, I would imagine there won't be a big difference in fuel economy between the GT and sedan. Given the GT's weight, however, fuel economy won't be its key selling point. The EPA rates the 550i GT at 15/21 for city and highway. The trip computer indicated mileage just shy of 12 mpg during my fairly short drive. The 535i GT with the turbo six should improve on these numbers but BMW does not yet have EPA ratings for it. Price won't be a selling point either. Starting at $63,900, my test car with a few options wore a price of $70,325. Go wild with the options and the price will be pushing six figures. The key selling points of the GT are its increased practicality, high level of luxury, and strong performance. So, if you are looking for a 5 series with just a bit more practicality and are willing to sacrifice some of the classic BMW elegance, the choice is obvious. Buy a camel, er, I mean the new 550i GT.
Test vehicle provided by the gracious folks at BMW of Minnetonka.
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