If ever there’s a way to disguise a car’s weight, it is to turbocharge it.
You can shift manually with the central selector, of course, but there’s scant point. So, how does this near-two-ton car drive? The efforts of the three available engines – the usual 241bhp, 3-litre turbodiesel a new version of the turbocharged 3.0 petrol unit, now with a single, twin-scroll turbo, Valvetronic throttle-less induction and 302bhp and a 4.4-litre turbo V8 with 402bhp – are channelled through an eight-speed automatic gearbox with no paddle-shifters, a sensible omission because you’d soon get lost with so many gears. It’s one reason why rear-seat travel is so serene excellent air-sprung rear suspension is another. Spring-loaded flaps behind the rear seats, which help form a load floor when the seats are folded, normally combine with a rigid rear shelf to isolate the boot acoustically. From inside, the window resembles a letter box. And such is the breadth of the mechanisms that the rear window has the biggest area of black masking around its edges that I have ever seen. The 5 GT has a similar idea but it’s heavier and bulkier, the gas struts so huge that they could surely deputise for those of the front suspension. The Skoda Superb pioneered a clever tailgate which opens either as the complete unit or as just the bootlid that forms the bottom half.
An optional pack brings infuriatingly slow electric adjustment, powerable from the boot as well as from the seat, and two luxurious chairs instead of three abreast. Passengers behind have ample lounging room, augmented by the ability to slide and recline the seats.
#535I GRAN TURISMO DRIVER#
The driver enjoys a ‘semi-command’ driving position, which means not that he or she is only half in control but that the vantage point is halfway towards an SUV’s. And it’s based, loosely, on the 7-series platform, as will be next year’s new 5-series. It is a fastback five-door of slightly lofty build, which isn’t an X6 because just the rear wheels are driven. Nor is it a hatchback, according to BMW, although the evidence suggests otherwise.
#535I GRAN TURISMO SERIES#
Parallel Imported BMW cars are BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, BMW 3 Series Sedan, BMW 4 Series Convertible, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid, BMW 5 Series Sedan, BMW 5 Series Sedan Diesel, BMW 5 Series Sedan Mild Hybrid, BMW 5 Series Touring Mild Hybrid, BMW 7 Series, BMW 7 Series Diesel, BMW 7 Series F1 Auto Cars Edition, BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, BMW X1, BMW X3, BMW X4, BMW X7, BMW Z4 Roadster.Īll prices and other information displayed on are gathered from sources and based on algorithms that are believed by to be reliable, but no assurance can be given that this information is accurate, complete or current. Authorised Distributor BMW cars are BMW 1 Series Hatchback, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid, BMW 3 Series Sedan, BMW 4 Series Convertible, BMW 4 Series Coupe, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, BMW 5 Series Plug-in Hybrid, BMW 5 Series Sedan Mild Hybrid, BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Mild Hybrid, BMW 7 Series, BMW 7 Series Plug-in Hybrid, BMW 8 Series Coupe, BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, BMW i3s Electric, BMW iX3 Electric, BMW X1, BMW X2, BMW X3, BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid, BMW X4, BMW X5, BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid, BMW X6, BMW X7, BMW Z4 Roadster.