5 Series Geneva Preview: BMW Concept 5 Series GT

[Betty Swollocks]

It isn't supposed to go off road....ever.

Neither is the X6.

 

[SCOTT27]

The 5er GT will be an Individual choice for a specific customer and how we have marketed the car as a premium object with a great emphasis on premium comfort and premium style will either make or break the concept.

I think it is unfair to the point that the media especially in the US are proclamining this car as the BMW aztec- a slight insult termed to the Pontiac Aztec which only sums up the problems of the car market in North America. It is true the finished article of the Aztec was greatly flawed but in concept the idea was very much the direction the US Markets have to adapt to today , smaller ,more fuel efficient cars and crossovers .

We showed the 5er GT as a Concept because we wanted to get the message across of the flexibility and luxury for passengers that will be great features of this car. People may mock the car and mock BMW for doing so but this is a fascinating car it does not have just one purpose as many BMW enthusiasts expect of our cars.

In the run up to the launch we have showcased the car at special preview events and have created great interest in specific areas were clientle priority is essential , we have shown the car to Hotel chains - They like the fact that there is more trunk space , a luxurious rear cabin for clients and that the car can be adapted through the BMW Individual programme ,
Art Galleries also like the car , as do fashion houses , even the German government has expressed interest. For public clients we have shown a particular demographic , incorrectly and rudely sterotyped as "Geriatric" the features and specifics that appeal to the older group and as shown before we have received excellent feedback on the comfort and features of the car attuned to this demogrpahic.

The GT will not be specific about volume , we have been adamant about that from the beginning , nor is it entirely market specific.

Of course the big question is of course is the 5er Gran Turismo the preview of how the forthcoming 5er (F10) will drive?
Well yes and no, The two cars are although similar we know what customers want from the sedan and what specifc customers expect from the Gran Turismo. So there will be significant changes to key areas, although a car badged as "Gran Turismo" will still reward the keen driver.

Now that we have our E-Klasse test books filled with notes , diagrams and complete analysis and autospy on the W212 .
The 5er will be an admirable foe for every aspect of the E-Klasse.

 

[adam3k]

Bottom line is it's a cost effective new model that BMW hopes to profit from. Markting will not make this thing appealing to BMW fans.

 

[Shining Star]

The 5-Series GT is the answer to a question that nobody asked. Now tell me-how many people do you know that want an ugly car whose headlamps look like those on a Toyota Highlanders', who want a (sort of) wagon with only FOUR seats, and who want a car that is supposed to represent luxury but really represents BMW's feeble attempt to falsely adapt to car market conditions. The people who buy this car will surely feel bad when their friends drive up in E550 sports and Audi A6s.

 

[Monster]

The 5-Series GT is the answer to a question that nobody asked. Now tell me-how many people do you know that want an ugly car whose headlamps look like those on a Toyota Highlanders', who want a (sort of) wagon with only FOUR seats, and who want a car that is supposed to represent luxury but really represents BMW's feeble attempt to falsely adapt to car market conditions. The people who buy this car will surely feel bad when their friends drive up in E550 sports and Audi A6s.

This thing will sell in Asian markets, where people like big luxury vans. For years now those people have been spending $$$ on relatively expensive Toyota and Nissan vans, now they have a German alternative.

 

[bmwblog]

The 5-Series GT is the answer to a question that nobody asked. Now tell me-how many people do you know that want an ugly car whose headlamps look like those on a Toyota Highlanders', who want a (sort of) wagon with only FOUR seats, and who want a car that is supposed to represent luxury but really represents BMW's feeble attempt to falsely adapt to car market conditions. The people who buy this car will surely feel bad when their friends drive up in E550 sports and Audi A6s.

It will actually have 5 seats

 

[E38_E30]

"premium comfort" + "Pontiac Aztec" + "Geriatric"

Certainly taken out of context.
But nevertheless didn't I associate these core characteristics with BMW.

The Creative Marketing Dept. is loosing the thread in making the 5 GT somewhat purposeful to the public after they had to learn that almost every press review of the Concept 5 GT began and ended with a big question mark. Good luck, BMW.

 

[Mr Robert]

Of course the big question is of course is the 5er Gran Turismo the preview of how the forthcoming 5er (F10) will drive?
Well yes and no, The two cars are although similar we know what customers want from the sedan and what specifc customers expect from the Gran Turismo. So there will be significant changes to key areas, although a car badged as "Gran Turismo" will still reward the keen driver.

This is really interesting. I have difficulties seeing how the 5GT could perform at a level even close to what the real 5-series is expected to deliver. The 5 GT is a barge.

I presume that BMW will do with the 5-series what Mercedes have done with the new E-class - going back to the roots. The new E-class is so much W124 in how it feels. That can't be a bad thing. It is elegant, solid and select. Will BMW do the same thing with the new 5-series? Bring back a little of the spirit?

To me, a car that is, badged or segmented, a GT will always have lost a little of the edge that appeals to keen drivers. It will be built more with comfort than driving in mind. This seems right with the 5 GT. It is another thing all together that BMW must always say that their vehicle, whichever it is, appeals to the keen driver. It is a part of the image. But, when there is no real competition (no, the R-class does not count) this does not have to be said. The 5 GT will not be a drivers car, not even relatively as there is nothing to relate to, yet.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

We'll see. With the crisis and all, it will probably do worse than expected, but like most people here, I'd much rather see a more sporty car than this.

Exactly! Like an 8 series or Z8 replacement. Of course a lot of companies seem to going with this "hatchback" idea. Hatchback are not really my car of choice, but interesting to look at.

The 5-Series GT is the answer to a question that nobody asked.

LOL...Wow!

 

[SCOTT27]

The Creative Marketing Dept. is loosing the thread in making the 5 GT somewhat purposeful to the public after they had to learn that almost every press review of the Concept 5 GT began and ended with a big question mark. Good luck, BMW.

When we first thought about the initial phrase that sums up all product development - "Who is this car for ?"
And the first symbol put to paper was
"?"
Progressive Activity Sedan is something that will cause a lot of alienation. BMW like to think of it as modern art. Something you see before you can be perceived as something different to others , to some it's just twisted steel , and to others a work of beauty , a statement of pure creativity.

Modern Art and sculpture always begins and ends with a question mark even after explanation.
Many controversial architects and artists create their designs on a theme , a theme of purpose and intent to some it's controversial to the artist it's normal.

Modern art and design can be beautiful and controversial at the same time.
The medium is evident in today's BMW's in which a design phase proved to both be beautiful and contoversial when applied to industrial design.


* Extracts taken from "?" , "How Creativity takes form" ,
" Controversy perceived through normality" Chapters
Concept to Reality - BMW 5er Gran Turismo.

BMW are aiming to further input to peoples awareness of the 5er Gran Turismo by having the car at the duration of the Cannes film festival , so people can see what the car is like . incidentally Rolls-Royce have also the 200EX Concept Car on the next stage of it's world tour having already visted New York , Los Angeles , Shanghai , Singapore and now in Cannes.

 

[rollo]

BMW are aiming to further input to peoples awareness of the 5er Gran Turismo by having the car at the duration of the Cannes film festival , so people can see what the car is like . incidentally Rolls-Royce have also the 200EX Concept Car on the next stage of it's world tour having already visted New York , Los Angeles , Shanghai , Singapore and now in Cannes.

It sure seems like BMW will have a tough time grabbing market share with the 5er GT. Flowery rationale aside, what segment or need does this car address given the 5er sedan/wagon, X5 and X6?

I think the why questions are spot on.

 

[PHYBENZ]

We showed the 5er GT as a Concept because we wanted to get the message across of the flexibility and luxury for passengers that will be great features of this car. People may mock the car and mock BMW for doing so but this is a fascinating car it does not have just one purpose as many BMW enthusiasts expect of our cars.

In the run up to the launch we have showcased the car at special preview events and have created great interest in specific areas were clientle priority is essential , we have shown the car to Hotel chains - They like the fact that there is more trunk space , a luxurious rear cabin for clients and that the car can be adapted through the BMW Individual programme ,
Art Galleries also like the car , as do fashion houses , even the German government has expressed interest. For public clients we have shown a particular demographic , incorrectly and rudely sterotyped as "Geriatric" the features and specifics that appeal to the older group and as shown before we have received excellent feedback on the comfort and features of the car attuned to this demogrpahic.

It's good to know BMW is trying to market this thing as an expensive rental/transport car.

Enough with the marketing stuff Scott. We heard the same BS with the R Class. It's a niche BMW is trying to fill with a car they can have great margins with so they don't care if it's low volume. It's the same with the X6. There is nothing groundbreaking about this car whether in terms of looks or technology except for maybe the hatch. It's a glorified 4 seat hatchback.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

It's good to know BMW is trying to market this thing as an expensive rental/transport car.

LMAO...wow you all are really hard on this 5 GT. Even though it does seem rather useless. Still might have a market for it. Maybe it will take some of the x5 sales with gas prices going back up.

 

[E38_E30]

Many controversial architects and artists create their designs on a theme , a theme of purpose and intent to some it's controversial to the artist it's normal.

Well said, Scott. And I almost bought the story.

The point is: a controversial architect or artist can live his/her dreams about perfection or whatever it may be as long as one customer buys the stuff so he can pay his rent/loft/invoices.

BMW on the other hand has a lot of customers around the world. Are these buying a car, slotted between a 5 Series Touring, an X6 SAV and a 7 Series? Just because it's comfy and spacious? And has one kind of a trunk, outpaced by every 5 Series Touring? And is more pricey, heavier, not that agile and therefore sips more fuel?

Again: good luck, BMW.

 

[bmer]

It's a vehicle that forms a small new niche. A completely different question is: how sensible is it to target such limited segment in the current market conditions? When it got greenlighted, the world economy was in substantially better shape...

 

[Centurion]

Like a guy said on autoblog, the 5-Series GT is an enlarged Toyota Prius with a BMW face. Both share an awkwardly ungracious shape that fall somewhere between an MPV and a sedan.

 

[Shining Star]

Like a guy said on autoblog, the 5-Series GT is an enlarged Toyota Prius with a BMW face. Both share an awkwardly ungracious shape that fall somewhere between an MPV and a sedan.

Well put... but I think that the headlamps on the E-Class look more like the Current-Gen Toyota Highlander....

 

[klier]

^^ Or like a Lexus or Volvo XC60.
Not to mention the extremely boring backside of the new E klasse, which I see driving around almost every day now.
Point of this story: we all have our gripes about certain design, but we don't present them all like facts, as Centurion does all the time.

 

[LaArtist]

The last spy hots made me puke in my mouth..
Tragic looking vehicle..

And thats fact mixed with opinion...

 

[klier]

lol