New Reveal : 2009 BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo Concept ; production model coming in 2010

A while back, there were spy shots of a new PAS (Progressive Activity Sedan) crossover from BMW. Now at special event in Munich, BMW unveiled the 5-Series Gran Turismo Concept, or known until now as the 5-Series PAS. Though, like other BMW concepts, the new Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo will see very little change when it goes into production. According to Automotive News, the production version of the 5-Series GT will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will go on sale in the U.S. sometime in 2010. For a kick-off, this Bimmer is rather ugly, too ugly infact. Nevertheless, what exactly is this 5-Series GT? It's a 5-door crossover coupe-like design similar to the X6, but with a wheel-base that is low and quite comparable to the new 7-Series long wheel base. It has a very spacious cabin and should offer plenty of leg room both on the front ant rear. But the main exterior innovation is the hatch in the back that opens in two different modes. The first mode allows the owner to open a small rectangular hatch that gives access for easy loading. The second mode is your traditional tailgate lift that offers a large opening for large objects. Overall in general, looking at it, it seems to us that this 5-Series GT is quite comparable to the Porsche Panamera. The inside of the Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo seems production-ready with the center dashboard that seems to be taken right out of the new X6 or X5. Like the X6, the 5-Series GT offers room for only four passengers as the center console stretches all the way back to the rear seats. Loading capacity comes in at 1,650 liters or almost 58 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. As expected, BMW is offering petrol and diesel. Moreover, BMW will offer a choice for the 5-Series between a 272hp naturally aspirated engine and an updated 326hp 3.0L twin-turbo 6-cylinder in the U.S. Europeans are expected to get a 286 twin-turbo 3.0L 6-cylinder diesel. Though a V8 could later come to place. All engine will be channeled to the rear-wheels via a 6-speed automatic (8-speed automatic may become an option at the time of launch). xDrive all-wheel-drive system will be offered as option in the future. Oh and please don’t expect any V10 ‘M’ versions of the 5-Series GT. It’s probably the first BMW we don’t want to see an ‘M’ version of. In the end, we must say that this will surely compete the 5-door Panamera from Porsche, which is also as ugly as this.

So here's Dr. Klaus Draeger explains the BMW 5 Series GT:

Source: [BMW]