It is a car conceived before the crisis, but developed with the post-crisis era already in mind. “We thought about what is changing in the car world”, explains Adrian van Hooydonk. “Motorists will be much more careful about how they spend. Even before the crisis, one could see a trend toward a less visible show of luxury on the outside, but without sacrificing luxury and comfort inside. This trend is destined to strengthen, and this is why the 5 Series Gran Turismo comes at just the right time.” Presented as a concept at Geneva, the car will go into production between September and October – more or less coinciding with the Frankfurt motor show. “We had seen two themes developing that appear particularly important to motorists: wellness behind the wheel and more scope for personalisation. And the crisis has accelerated this development.”
Now that Chris Bangle, under whom he served as the most senior team member for several years, has left Van Hooydonk is the chief of design for BMW. He sees the 5 Series GT, which he oversaw since the earliest stage of the project, as “a new automotive concept”, which essentially consists in transposing the characteristics of a classic GT onto a four door, four seat car in a fusion of elegance, space and versatility. It’s a coupé but also a saloon, a saloon but also an SUV. According to the official statement issued by the Bavarian brand at Geneva, it is a car capable of offering “a new and fascinating driving experience”, satisfying the needs of the marketing division for a car that encapsulates an elegant image, luxury levels of comfort and supreme versatility. “We have always looked towards niches, says Van Hooydonk, “their character, functions and proportions. In this case, on top of functionality, the keyword was flexibility.”
The article continues in Auto & Design no. 177
