Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey — We just spent a day touring around New York State in BMW’s brand spanking new 5-Series Gran Turismo.

Normally, we’d get right to the “what's it like?” But this time it feels like we need to start with the “what is it?”

The 550i GT presents an interesting mix of attributes.

Because not only is it another genre buster, it seems also to straddle territory already occupied by other BMW products.

GT versus SUV
It’s a long and tall vehicle, which offers greater utility than a sedan. But so do the X5 (a full-on SUV), the X6 (a cross between a coupe and a SUV), and the 5-series Touring (a traditional station wagon).

On hand for this launch was Willem Rombauts, BMW’s product manager for all those vehicles; the perfect guy then to explain how the GT will augment BMW’s market penetration, without stepping on the toes of its stablemates…

First off, he noted that the GT is not an SUV. Those desiring a pure SUV will opt for the X5.

He also noted that it is becoming less socially acceptable to drive SUVs. The GT will appeal to those who seek some SUV attributes, like a high seating position, but don’t want a full SUV and/or its social implications.

When compared to a traditional wagon, Rombauts said the GT simply offers a more modern appearance, for those looking for that.

When it comes to differentiating itself from the X6, it gets more nuanced. Rombauts noted that while the X6 shares a similar profile with the GT, the X6 is both shorter and higher. It will attract more male buyers than GT, and those buyers are more likely to be traveling alone.

The GT is more focused on all the occupants of the vehicle. The term Gran Turismo was first used by Italian carmakers in the 1950s, to discern a two-seat sports machine that also had ample room for luggage and traveling comfort. BMW said it was time for the GT concept to be applied to a four-seat vehicle.

The GT debuts with the 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged, direct-injection V8.

The GT is included in the 5-Series family because its current and future powertrain choices will align more closely with other 5-Series offerings. But the GT is actually based on the 7-Series (non long-wheelbase) platform. As such, it might even attract buyers previously drawn to the 7-Series sedans, especially as the GT will be priced lower than most 7-Series sedans. Rombauts didn’t deny that possibility, only pointing out that the two vehicles are quite different in exterior styling and personality.

While not as tall as some SUVs, you nevertheless feel very SUV-like behind the wheel.

Turbo motivation, and more
The GT debuts (on Dec 5th) with the 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged, direct-injection V8 (already available on X6 and 7-Series). It’s good for 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque.

xDrive (all-wheel drive) and 6-cylinder variants follow in 2010.

The 6-cylinder engine destined for GT is BMW’s all-new inline 3.0-litre unit, the company's first I6 to feature the combination of direct injection, a fully variable valvetrain, and turbocharging (utilizing BMW’s new TwinPower Turbo design).

Both engines will be mated to the new 8-speed automatic transmission.

The GT also debuts a brake regeneration system, which is said to net a 2 percent fuel efficiency gain.

In the driver’s seat
While not as tall as some SUVs, you nevertheless feel very SUV-like behind the wheel.

And when you first start rolling down the road, there is no doubt that you’re piloting a considerable piece of machinery. It’s heavy, long and wide; on narrow roads, it felt like it was talking up every inch of available pavement width.

But this is a true BMW. So we have lots of thrust, traction, and control.

Acceleration is way beyond what you need for everyday driving, but very entertaining.

To make the vehicle less SUV-like, and more sedan-like, BMW designed a rear cargo area that is tightly sealed and separated from the passenger cabin.

The new 8-speed transmission keeps the motor in the tallest gear for the available torque, which contributes to a very under-stressed feel. When coasting you can feel it downshift smoothly through a lot of gears, and even perhaps feel just a hint of drag, as the regenerative braking system converts your kinetic energy to electricity.

Our tester was outfitted with Adaptive Drive, which actively controls roll, and Integral Active Steering, which changes the steering angle based on road speed, and even activates rear axle steering at slow speeds, to help the vehicle become more manoeuvrable in close quarters.

At speed, with no body roll, and tight and precise steering that is fluid off centre, the big GT felt quite sporty — although in a big, heavy, planted kind of way.

When just cruising, the GT is very civil. Our tester was outfitted with the Sport Package with the available 20-inch wheels and 245/40 series tires. Those low profile tires don’t have much sidewall, but that didn’t seem to detract from the GT’s firm-but-comfortable ride.

If you get bored with the driving, there are lots of things to look at, and play with, such as the gauge that indicates when the re-gen brakes are charging your battery, and the new iDrive system.

Those low profile tires don’t have much sidewall, but that didn’t seem to detract from the GT’s firm-but-comfortable ride.

Among the many safety bits on board are rear and side-view cameras to help parking chores, Active Blind Spot detection, Lane Departure warning, and Heads Up Display.

In the back seat
Standard out back is a three-person bench seat. But if you want to fully experience the GT-ness of this vehicle, order the optional second-row dual single seats, complete with centre console. It gives the whole vehicle an executive-class aircraft feel. Those rear seats are every bit as leathery and power-controlled as their front counterparts.

To make the vehicle less SUV-like, and more sedan-like, BMW designed a rear cargo area that is tightly sealed and separated from the passenger cabin.

To access the cargo area there is a novel hatch that incorporates a pseudo trunk lid; said trunk lid can be used independently of the liftgate.

The rear seats fold forward, but not entirely flatly.

Conclusion
The 550i GT presents an interesting mix of attributes. Equally interesting, is that it is being positioned somewhat as an anti-SUV. Our first blush with the vehicle convinced us that it is both a worthy vehicle and a worthy market experiment.