View Full Version : BMW 5 Series GT Concept Unveiled
Gran Turismo
02-13-2009, 09:19 AM
How 'bout this?
Well, there are always some slight differences between the first sketches and the final product...
http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,1433490,00.jpg
Well, there are always some slight differences between the first sketches and the final product...
http://www.spiegel.de/img/0,1020,1433490,00.jpg
I like the sketch better where there is a more defined rear trunk line.
InsidiousSpeed
02-13-2009, 12:42 PM
How do you feel it fits with the X6 in the market? Will it take much from that line?
It's too close to the X6 (which is already close enough to the X5), but more room in rear and storage, and looks coupe like. All these niche segments are starting to produce near copies of existing lines.
I think it looks interesting but I would chose a 5 series wagon over this anyday
It's too close to the X6 (which is already close enough to the X5), but more room in rear and storage, and looks coupe like. All these niche segments are starting to produce near copies of existing lines.
I think they should drop the 5 Series Wagon and the X6 and go with the 5GT. Although...the X6 is really nice. It's hard to deny that.
It's hard to say what I would pick if I there had to be 2 models between the X5 and the 5 Series. I think I would go with the 5GT and the X6. If you need more room than the 5GT then get the X6. I think the split rear door is what sells me on it the most.
boxboss
02-13-2009, 06:46 PM
I think they should drop the 5 Series Wagon and the X6 and go with the 5GT. Although...the X6 is really nice. It's hard to deny that.
It's hard to say what I would pick if I there had to be 2 models between the X5 and the 5 Series. I think I would go with the 5GT and the X6. If you need more room than the 5GT then get the X6. I think the split rear door is what sells me on it the most.
That's where I'm getting lost in all these models. There is the basic 5er sedan as well as the 5 wagon. Isn't the X6 based on the 5er platform? Throw in the 5 based PAS, the X5 and now the 5GT and you have 6 models (8 if you count the M's...oops 9 with the M5 Euro wagon) circling around the same chassis/platform. It's like the Dodge/Chrysler K-car platform...one chassis/frame and lots of different things on top of it. How much differentiation can there be in one segment?
That's where I'm getting lost in all these models. There is the basic 5er sedan as well as the 5 wagon. Isn't the X6 based on the 5er platform? Throw in the 5 based PAS, the X5 and now the 5GT and you have 6 models (8 if you count the M's...oops 9 with the M5 Euro wagon) circling around the same chassis/platform. It's like the Dodge/Chrysler K-car platform...one chassis/frame and lots of different things on top of it. How much differentiation can there be in one segment?
I agree, it needs to be toned down. It used to be that when you saw a BMW drive down the road you didn't need to take another look at it to figure out what it was. It was either a 3 a 5 or a 7. Then came the 8, and the Z, and the Xes, then the 6 and the 1 and the 3 and the 5 and the 6 and the 7 and the X and the Z. Now we add 9 variations of the 5? 4 variations of the 6 (6 including the X6)? 2 variations of the X5? How many variations of a BMW can you fit into a $30k - $120k range and not overlap?
One of the things that I liked about BMW was the fact that the owners bought the car for what it was and that made a BMW worth owning. Porsche didn't get all Chevrolet in the market when they launched the Cheyenne, they stuck to 3 body types and a few variations thereof. When you bought a BMW in the past you bought it for what it was regardless of what was out there. Same with Porsche.
Acura and Lexus grabbed a piece of the market when they came around because they offered a cheaper luxury and a bunch of models which only boosted the prestige of BMW. Has BMW lost that much of the market that they need to lower their authoritative status on the automobile? And at what point is the cost of so many platforms going to increase the cost of production to the point of loosing money.
That's my rant and I'm sticking to it.
boxboss
02-13-2009, 07:11 PM
...at what point is the cost of so many platforms going to increase the cost of production to the point of loosing money.
I think that was the philosophy of the Big 3 for a long time. Make a chassis/engine(s) combo and stick all kinds of bodies on it. Development cost is small as cosmetic changes don't need much R&D. Problem was they made a lot of cars that were all but the same...generic and bland and they lost market share/respect because of it. Put a Pontiac badge on a Chevy, a Buick badge on a Pontiac or a Caddy on a Buick. Short sighted view of the market IMO and one I hope BMW isn't going to be using.
I think that was the philosophy of the Big 3 for a long time. Make a chassis/engine(s) combo and stick all kinds of bodies on it. Development cost is small as cosmetic changes don't need much R&D. Problem was they made a lot of cars that were all but the same...generic and bland and they lost market share/respect because of it. Put a Pontiac badge on a Chevy, a Buick badge on a Pontiac or a Caddy on a Buick. Short sighted view of the market IMO and one I hope BMW isn't going to be using.
What I wonder is who actually thinks that if a client walks out the door who didn't buy a BMW is thinking "If only they made something inbetween a 5 Wagon and an X6(5)!".
I understand diversity and selection, but sometimes you have to tell people what to buy because it's GOOD. Not confuse them and let them go home and think about it, just to find that the MB dealership or Porsche dealership experience was easier on the brain. I understand giving the market what the market needs, but I think someone said here that BMW is confusing their clients with too many choices.
Or maybe I just don't want to add more forums. :mrgreen: