BMW 5-series Gran Turismo: first photos

At last, we can present the strangest new BMW for some time (and there have been a few): the new 5-series Gran Turismo, or GT for short. Motoring journos sometimes overuse the word ‘radical’, but the new BMW 5-series GT is one of the few new arrivals that is genuinely segment busting.

In fact, when uploading this story we had to tag the article page on our website. Is this an executive car? An estate? Or an MPV? You can make an argument for all three. Let’s say the GT is a high-riding 5-series with the space of an estate, the versatility of a people carrier and the luxurious pampering of an exec.

BMW calls it ‘a car which combines an understated coupe-like silhouette to the luxurious interior of a BMW 7-series, while at the same time giving the functionality of a BMW 5-series Touring or X5.’

Hotch-potch mess or a genuine new niche? We’re sure you’ll be quick to comment and let us know.

BMW 5-series GT: more details

This 19th model line in BMW’s range has a whopping boot. Push the rear seats back and you’ve still got 440 litres, and that can stretch to 1700 litres in full cargo mode. Buyers can spec it in Executive trim (four-seat luxo kit) or five-seat layout.

And check out that split boot in the photos. Like Skoda’s Superb, you can operate it as a hatchback tailgate or a saloon boot. Best of both worlds, really, and it lets occupants be undisturbed from howling gales if you’re chauffeuring metereophobes around Munich.

This is our first sight of the new 5-series range (the saloons follow in 2010) and three engines will be available at launch: a 530d, a 535i and a 550i, all matched to ZF’s new eight-speed auto that’s claimed to be 6% more efficient than its predecessor. Naturally, the diesel will be the best seller in the UK.