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2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo 550i: Bimmer with a hatch in back
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BMW has released details about the new 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo and, as we told you in our report about the 5-Series Grand Touring concept that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show, the production model differs little from the concept.
The Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo was a coupe-contoured four-door sedan with a slightly higher than the typical sedan and a unique articulated rear hatch. The higher ride height raises the front seat occupants’ “H-point” (height of the hip) from, for example, the last-model BMW 7-Series, 20.8 inches to 22.6 inches for the Gran Turismo. That compares, too, to the BMW X3 which has an H-point of 26.6 inches, and the X6 xDrive splits that difference. It gives the 5-Seeries Grand Touring driver what BMW calls a “semi-command” driving position without the height of an SUV.
What makes the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo unique, however, is the novel articulated hatch can be opened as like a conventional hatchback or, thanks to a being hinged below the rear window, as a car with a traditional trunklid.
The split-hatch advantage for the 5-Series Gran Turismo is being able to load large objects by opening the hatch and lowering the (40-20-40) rear seatback or, if only access the trunk is desired, do so without exposing backseat passengers to the weather. According to BMW spokesman Tom Plucinsky, BMW focus groups suggested that the objection of American luxury car buyers to hatchbacks comes largely from exposing the whole interior of the car and particularly back seat passengers just to get something from the trunk.
Indeed, from the outside the only changes in going from concept to production are production paint colors instead of the 5-Series Gran Turismo concept’s special tint. And normal-sized wheels—designers always get carried away with lotsa wheel, not much rubber.
The production model will have 18 x 8.0-inch wheels standard with optional 19-inch and 20-inch wheels with staggered widths with the Sport model. Performance (summer) tire sizes will be 245/45R-19 front/175/40R-19 and 245/R40R-20/275/35R-20 respectively.
The concept showed frameless windows with four doors and so will the production model. It’s the first time that layout to be used by BMW. Previous 4-window frameless designs have been with 2-door coupes only. The advantage of eliminating the B-pillar is a sleeker line with windows either raised or lowered.
For a closer look at the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, scroll down for the picture gallery.
Bigger differences from the concept are inside. Where the concept had four individual seats the production 5-Series Gran Turismo will have a conventional back seat—three seatbelts and the center passenger “sitting on the hump.” The four-seat full-length center console will be offered as an option.
Like the concept car, the instrument panel will have “Black Panel tecnhnology”: The i.p.—other than four chrome rings—remains black until the car is started, the numerals and other displays and warnings then lighting up.
Dark Burl Ash wood will standard, with Ash Anthracite (gray tone) and Fineline Matte (another wood) optional. Ceramic trim will optional for the shift knob, iDrive controller surround and audio and climate controls.The engine for U.S. consumption initially will be BMW’s still-new twin-turbo reverse-flow 4.4-liter V-8 engine as seen in the BMW X6 5.5i and the 7-Series. That engine is rated at 400 hp over a range of 5500 to 6400 rpm and 450 lb-ft of torque over a wide plateau from 1800 to 4500 rpm. The 3.5-liter inline six will be available later on.
The 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo will have a new 8-speed automatic transmission, essentially a 6-speed automatic with two higher ratios for lower cruising engine speeds for lower fuel consumption.
BMW also gains fuel economy on the order of one to two percent with the first Armerican-model application of Brake Energy Regeneration. The BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo has a deep-cycling standard-service battery that is charged when the vehicle slows. However instead of the typical hybrid’s wheel-brake system, the BMW system does it strictly through the alternator. When the vehicle is getting power from the engine, the alternator declutches and doesn’t run continuously to keep the battery fully recharged. Instead, the 5-Series Gran Turismo uses electricity from the battery for engine, lighting and accessory operation, recharging only when decelerating.BMW will put newly patented composite discs up which has front brake rotors made up of two pieces, a high-carbon cast-iron outer portion that serves as the normal friction surface and an aluminum “hat” in the center. This reduces unsprung weight for a smoother ride and better handling.
At introduction the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo will have rear drive, but close examination of a vehicle cutaway illustration provided by BMW shows drive shafts to the front wheels. We’ll take that to mean all-wheel drive is in the works.
The 2010 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo is scheduled to appear in dealers in the fourth quarter of 2009. Expect to pay.starting in the high $60’s and go up from there.
And just remember, we told you so.
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