BMW 550i Executive

Gran Turismo

I HAVE to confess that the first time I climbed into BMW's 5 Series Gran Turismo luxury limo, I was a little confused.

With the multifarious models on offer from BMW, the 550i had passed me by somewhat.

A 5 Series that looks and feels like a 7 Series, it is a bit of a conundrum of a car, until you explore it more carefully.

Loosely described as an SUV the Gran Turismo, particularly with the monster 4.4-litre engine offers probably what no other car on the market does.

It has startling looks, not to everyone's taste I might add, brutal performance and excellent practicality through its hatchback layout.

It is also eye-wateringly expensive to buy and run, but BMW buyers know the score when it comes to parting with their readies.

On first inspection, you would be hard-pressed to know it is a hatchback as the rear end looks seamless, but the split rear window gives it away.

Just open it as a boot section and it appears disappointingly small with just over 440 litres, but open up the full tailgate and start moving the rear seats around and you have cavernous space of 1,700 litres. The space is second only to the X5 in the BMW range.

This particular model featured two individual seats in the rear, but a three-seater bench is also available.

The interior is pure luxury from the leather seats to the wood veneer finish and the less is more instrumentation, you could be forgiven for thinking your were in one of the range topping 7 series vehicle.

While the instrument and dial layout is subtle, there is plenty of it, dominated by the silver  dial that is the brains of the car and controls most electronic functions.

As an SUV you would expect a high driving and seating position and you get this to a certain extent, but it doesn't feature the command driving position of other, full blown SUVs.

At a mind-blowing £55,000  this car is not cheap, but unlike many Beemers, you get the full monty of standard spec for your money, from heated, electrically controlled leather seats to expensive satnav/music system and a host of others goodies.

Add cruise control, adaptive headlights, climate control and reversing sensors, run-flat tyres and air suspension and just about everything heated and electrically powered and you get some idea of what is on offer for your money.

As SUVs go, not many are powered by a V8 monster of an engine. This ferociously powered, 407bhp unit powers the car from 0-60 in just 5.5 seconds.

As the speedo needle goes one way, then the fuel gauge goes the other as the accelerator is depressed, but around 22mpg indicated by the car's computer is better than some similarly powered cars.

As a company vehicle, with emissions of 263g/km, you will pay the top taxation whack.

That said, a much more frugal diesel is also available saving on fuel and company car tax.

The ride is Grand Touring rather than sporty as the eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts seamlessly, but it still handles pretty well providing you don't throw the bulky beast around too much.

But as a GT, it is almost peerless. Driver and passengers are cocooned in luxury and cathedral like quiet as the car powers along motorway or autobahn.

Standard safety equipment is comprehensive and like all BMWs, you can spend as much as you like on extra toys, but the cost mounts very quickly.

FAST FACTS

BMW 550i Executive Gran Turismo

Price: £54,665

Mechanical: 407bhp, 4,395cc, 8cyl petrol engine driving rear wheels via 8-speed automatic gearbox

Max Speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 5.5 seconds

Combined MPG: 25

Insurance Group:19

C02 emissions: 263g/km

Bik rating: 35%

Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited miles

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