Photo: Catalin Garmacea
When BMW launched the original 5 Series GT, most of the world didn’t know what to make of it, yours truly included. However, as years passed by, somehow, I began being more and more interested in the Gran Turismo and luck had me driving one for a couple of days for reviewing purposes. What we found in our review of the facelifted 2015 BMW 5 Series GT is surprising, to say the least.
First off, the improved areas of the 2015 model are important. Gone are the rectangular taillights that made the original so bulky round the back. The new ones give the rear fascia a much better look that doesn’t seem all that massive to begin with.
That feeling goes away the moment you step inside the car. That’s because you’re actually feeling like you’re inside a big SUV and not a car that’s wearing the 5 Series badge on the boot. The seating position is elevated and somehow feels familiar to the one you get inside an X3 or an X1 at the very least.
The dash is raked towards the windshield and gives you a feeling of space. Admittedly, the windscreen contributes to that feel as well, being pretty wide and tall. The one problem this brings around are the big A-Pillars that might cut into your field of view at times.
Another reason why all pillars are so big (the A-, B- and C-pillars) is that BMW decided to go with frameless doors all around and while it might seem peculiar, they do create a ‘wow’ effect without making the cabin any more noisy.
What surprised us the most, though, is the space you get inside. Being built on the same platform as the F01 7 Series, the F07 5 Series GT has just about the same amount of leg room in the back while the headroom is noticeably better. Think of it as a combo between the 7er and the X5. Yes, it’s that generous and while the X5 might seem bigger all around, we found that it offers less for your knees than this 5er.
Combined with the refinement of the same 8-speed ZF gearbox found in the Rolls-Royce Ghost models, you’ll be cruising in absolute comfort in no time. The Executive Package brings individual seats in the back and you’ll basically forget about the 7 Series.
Therefore, this is the perfect car for those people out there that want the space of an SUV and possibly its comfort without the unnecessary high ground clearance and higher price tag. Let’s face it, how many times do you go off-roading?
So what’s the catch? Well, dynamically things could’ve been better. As comfortable as this car is, you won’t be taking it to the track, even when set up in the sportiest mode possible. There’s plenty of body roll from this 2 ton car and you’ll probably get sick, trying to go through corners as if you were in an M4.
That doesn’t mean this thing isn’t fast on its feet. Excluding the only 2-liter 4-cylinder engine available for the range, the slowest model is the 535i and that one will do 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds. That’s impressive, to say the least! Get the 550i and you’ll be doing the same sprint in 4.8 seconds.
That feeling goes away the moment you step inside the car. That’s because you’re actually feeling like you’re inside a big SUV and not a car that’s wearing the 5 Series badge on the boot. The seating position is elevated and somehow feels familiar to the one you get inside an X3 or an X1 at the very least.
The dash is raked towards the windshield and gives you a feeling of space. Admittedly, the windscreen contributes to that feel as well, being pretty wide and tall. The one problem this brings around are the big A-Pillars that might cut into your field of view at times.
Another reason why all pillars are so big (the A-, B- and C-pillars) is that BMW decided to go with frameless doors all around and while it might seem peculiar, they do create a ‘wow’ effect without making the cabin any more noisy.
What surprised us the most, though, is the space you get inside. Being built on the same platform as the F01 7 Series, the F07 5 Series GT has just about the same amount of leg room in the back while the headroom is noticeably better. Think of it as a combo between the 7er and the X5. Yes, it’s that generous and while the X5 might seem bigger all around, we found that it offers less for your knees than this 5er.
How about comfort?
That’s the best asset of the 5 Series GT if we have to pick one out of the bunch. Get the Adaptive Drive option and you’ll get to pick out of no less than five driving modes, the rare Comfort+ option being included as well. That’s the one that we ended up using the most and it’s sublime.Combined with the refinement of the same 8-speed ZF gearbox found in the Rolls-Royce Ghost models, you’ll be cruising in absolute comfort in no time. The Executive Package brings individual seats in the back and you’ll basically forget about the 7 Series.
Therefore, this is the perfect car for those people out there that want the space of an SUV and possibly its comfort without the unnecessary high ground clearance and higher price tag. Let’s face it, how many times do you go off-roading?
So what’s the catch? Well, dynamically things could’ve been better. As comfortable as this car is, you won’t be taking it to the track, even when set up in the sportiest mode possible. There’s plenty of body roll from this 2 ton car and you’ll probably get sick, trying to go through corners as if you were in an M4.
That doesn’t mean this thing isn’t fast on its feet. Excluding the only 2-liter 4-cylinder engine available for the range, the slowest model is the 535i and that one will do 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.3 seconds. That’s impressive, to say the least! Get the 550i and you’ll be doing the same sprint in 4.8 seconds.
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