The latest battlefront that the German juggernaut of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz will fight for are cars like this 5-Series Gran Turismo Concept. They're based on sedans, but mostly, they are, but they think they're coupes. They're a bit confused, mostly, but they're essentially jazzy versions of otherwise conservative sedans, aimed at a more youthful market which looks toward a more sporting character. It's all about making a brand name more versatile by offering different cars that on the surface, appear to compete, but are really aimed at very different buyers. This is how the battle will play out:

Mercedes-Benz E-Class --> Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (since 2005)
Audi A6 --> Audi A7 (due 2010, but in meantime, see Audi Sportback Concept article)
BMW 5-Series --> BMW 5-Series GT (due November 2009, based on BMW CS Concept of 2007)

Yes, from all accounts, it does seem that BMW will be calling this car the BMW 5-Series GT. BMW has revealed that this car is not just a sedan that thinks it's a coupe, but much much more. In fact, as I see it, it's a long hatchback that's almost a sedan, but with a wagon-like stance, and an element of "squashed X6" thrown in. So yes, it does have a huge rear hatchback (double hinged, thank you, sir!), it is not a sedan, and even though it doesn't look that large in these pictures (at least, not compared to the Audi Sportback) it will, in fact be exactly 5 metres long, making it almost as long as the short-wheelbase 7-Series.

With the November launch so imminent for the 5-Series GT, this "concept" is really more of a preview of the real thing. Not much will change, I would imagine - the 21 inch alloy wheels are, of course, pure fantasy, though beautiful, the wing mirrors are likely to be replaced with something less controversial, and perhaps those cool side indicators will be relocated to the mirrors. But that's it, really.

So what do I think? Well, I'm not a big fan of the X6 roofline which has been translated to this car, because it makes the car too tall, and not sleek enough - the rear is an absolute mess, and makes the infamous Bangle-butt 7-Series look graceful. Though having said that, the surfacing of the car (namely, the hard crease spanning the length of the car) is pure genius, I've fallen in love with the door handles (I know that's sad...!) and I really really like the nose of this car. It's tasteful, original and athletic - a new BMW trait that was recently seen on the next-gen Z4. But what is also rather interesting is the rumour going around that this face is exactly the same as the next-gen 5-Series sedan, and that all that differs between the GT and the sedan is the roofline and rear hatchback.

Which, of course I think bodes well for the new 5-Series, but might make the GT the less attractive relative. Which, I think, means that BMW have missed the point with this car.

GENEVA 2009: BMW Says "It's On, Biatch!" With 5-Series Gran Turismo