This car’s odd shape was not the most appreciated over the years.
The Gran Turismo is basically a 7 series hatchback, even if BMW associated it with the 5 series. The GT was offered in the U.S. in two trim levels, a 6-cylinder (535i) and an 8-cylinder engine (550i). Both trim levels offer lots of standard premium features such as: adaptive xenon headlamps, electronic limited-slip differential, 10-way power front seats with lumbar support and driver memory, leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

The 550i comes with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine and delivers 445 hp, while the 535i had a 3-liter engine that developed 300 hp. The 550I adds a rear view camera and navigation with voice recognition, online information service and real-time traffic.
Optional features include 20-inch alloys, Nappa leather upholstery, two power rear bucket seats instead of the 3-person bench, Dynamic handling package with adaptive dampers, 2 sport packages, heated front and rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The luggage capacity was increased by 60 liters to a total of 500 liters.

The car is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission. RWD is the preset configuration, but each version is available with xDrive all-wheel-drive. The GT 5 series was more expensive than the BMW’s X5 and X3.

Based on the same platform with the BMW 7-Series, the 5-Series Gran Turismo was not as successful as anticipated by the German car-maker, mainly due to its look.
The 5-Series Gran Turismo was the first four-door car built by BMW with frameless door windows. Its fastback look and tall stance were a mix between a sedan, a station wagon, and an SUV. And, apart from its large and generous interior, it was neither of them.

The car’s design was the most debatable aspect. The front fascia resembled the 5-Series, but that was the only connection with the F10 5-Series. A tall greenhouse with the arched roofline and a swept-back resembled a fastback vehicle. It resembled the X6 shape but, while the SUV-coupe vehicle was successful, the 5-Series GT was not. A particular feature of the car was the twin-open tailgate, which could have been opened only on its lower part or with the whole rear windscreen.

Inside, there was one of the strongest reasons for someone to buy the GT version over any other BMW. Its long wheelbase allowed a spacious interior, with plenty of legroom for the rear passengers. Due to its high roof, the headroom was not a problem as well. The massive dashboard featured the infotainment display at the same level as the instrument cluster but enclosed under the same “roof”. The center console hosted the iDrive controller and the automatic gearbox selector.

The 5-series GT was available with a choice of diesel and gasoline engines, with rear or all-wheel-drive. It was offered with a power ranged between 184 hp and 450 hp.