In its quest to breach every niche the automotive world could possibly present, BMW has revealed plans for a luxury hatchback based upon the upcoming 5 Series.
By Gareth Dean
The concept, dubbed the 5 Series GT, will make its official debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The styling is a sort of 5 Series-meets-X6 affair, sporting the former’s nose and the latter’s arcing roof, deep beltline and stubby tail.
BMW, in its never ending endeavor to monopolize every acronym under the sun, has labeled the new vehicle a PAV, or Progressive Activity Sedan. The reason for such nomenclature is not entirely clear, but it’s fair to assume that it manages to encompass the sleek, sporty nature of the 5 Series with the moderately outdoor-orientated bent of the X6, whilst neatly sidestepping the “luxury hatchback” label that has torpedoed the likes of the Renault Vel Satis.
At 4,99 metres in length, the GT is capable of accommodating four adults in a spacious interior featuring large, fully adjustable seats. One of the GT’s most notable features is a new two-tiered tailgate that allows owners to only partially open the tailgate for small packages or stretch it all the way for bigger luggage. With the seats folded, storage space grows from 570 dm³ to 1 650 dm³.
Stylistically, the GT features such concept-only niceties as frameless windows, aluminium accents, elevated seating position, panoramic glass roof, two-tone interior, and 21-inch alloy wheels.
It’s a little early to ascertain what powerplants will find their way into this model, but expect the range to mirror that of the current 5 Series and maybe adopt some of the turbocharged, direct-injection units in the X6.
Make of it what you will, but at least BMW’s PAV just about manages to steer clear of the MPV label that saddled Mercedes’ R-Class and should retain the entertaining driving attributes upon which the brand prides itself.