The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo made its first public appearance in Hong Kong when it poked its head out at the Spasso Bar in Harbour City. Held earlier this month, the event marked the launch of the model in Hong Kong. A multitude of big names attended, such as the Taiwanese artist Ethan Juan and celebrity models Marie Zhuge and Jessica C. Other prominent figures included the respected director Louis Tan and the famous Chinese-American singer Adrienne Lau.
Amidst the hubbub of canapés, jazz and dance troupes, the focal point remained the new set of wheels on display. The four-door, five-seater Gran Turismo is the first ever made by the German manufacturer, and it combines a decent interior space with a plunging, coupe-like roofline design. As a result they’re marketing it as a chameleon vehicle that can wear the label of business, leisure or sports car depending on your mood. We’ll have to wait and see whether the Gran Turismo lacks a sense of purpose in what is already an overcrowded marketplace.
Two versions of the Gran Turismo will be made – the 535i GT and the 550i GT. The former features a brand new motor, a BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line engine, which propels the 535i GT to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. In contrast the most powerful model of the 550i GT stomps around with a 407 hp BMW TwinPower Turbo V8 engine under the bonnet. It will reach 100km/h in 5.5 seconds and glugs just 11.2 litres of fuel per 100 km. The Gran Turismo operates with an 8-speed automatic transmission and comes with a large panorama roof that allows you to gaze at the night-sky. When you’re not driving. Finally, the car also offers a two-part luggage system, making it easy to load everything from a pack of batteries to a set of golf clubs.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
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