BMW 5-Series GT vs. Audi A7

"IanZ - limited-slip indifferential" (ianz-limited) 06/07/2016 at 18:30 • Filed to: None

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So I’ve been wondering why the Audi A7 works while the BMW 3-Series GT doesn’t. Right now I don’t really know. But I have a hunch: it’s all in the proportions. The A7 is a beautiful thing; it’s long and low, and the Audi styling works wonderfully. The 5-Series GT is a not-so-hot mess. It’s far too tall for its width, and BMW’s styling (which doesn’t do anything for me normally) only accentuates the problem.

So let’s look at the dimensions. I’ll be comparing the A6 to the A7, and the 5 to the 5GT. measurements in inches, width doesn’t include mirrors.

Wheelbase: 114.7

Length: 194.2

Width: 73.8

Height: 57.8

Wheelbase: 114.7

Length:196.2

Width:75.2

Height: 55.9

Wheelbase: 116.9

Length: 193.4

Width: 73.2

Height: 57.6

Wheelbase: 120

Length: 196.7

Width: 74

Height: 61.4

So we can see that while Audi did everything right, making the A7 longer, lower, and wider, the 5 GT grew taller in comparison to the sedan. That’s what makes it (and its little brother the 3 GT) look unbalanced and badly proportioned. It’s because they are.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 18:41

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The A7 competes with the 6GC not the 5GT...

Costa Rican not Puerto Rican > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 18:47

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The A7 is a “4 door coupe”, the GTs are going after the quasi crossover market. That’s why they look different.

IanZ - limited-slip indifferential > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 06/07/2016 at 18:53

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I see the A7 as competing with both. The A7 is closer to the 6GC in dimensions, but the A7/5GT are both hatches. I also enjoy writing cruel things about cars I don’t like, so keep that in mind.

Wobbles the Mind > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 18:54

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Interesting, I actually see it as bridging the gap between a 5-Series Wagon and an X6. Like you want the hatch with the trendy sloping roofline but need more comfort and ease in the ride. The GT lineup allows BMW to go full on in comfort over engagement without any backlash, unlike building any other 5-series or SAV.

DangerCarlos > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 18:57

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Not to mention that the Audi is $10k cheaper than the 6GC...

Textured Soy Protein > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 19:01

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The 5 GT is not an A7 competitor, per se.

The 3 & 5 GT are both meant to be larger, more-practical versions of their respective sedan versions, that sacrifice styling (particularly when talking about the 5 GT) in the name of utility.

The 6 GC is meant as a still-somewhat-practical, but swoopier and more stylish alternative to the 5-series.

The A7 is meant as a still-somewhat-practical, but swoopier and more stylish alternative to the A6.

It just so happens that the A7 bridges the gap between the 6 GC and 5 GT because the A7 is a hatchback.

Cé hé sin > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 19:08

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One could argue that the 5 GT might be closer to this:

No, it’s not an A7.

IanZ - limited-slip indifferential > Cé hé sin 06/07/2016 at 19:27

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Ah the A5 Sportback. I believe that’s closer to the 3-series GT, which is also fugly.

Rico > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 20:01

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The A7 competes with the 6GC and the CLS and any other large 4 door coupe. It suffers from low head room in the rear something the 3/5 GT doesn’t have an issue with because the proportions are crossover sized.

The World of Vee > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 20:58

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It’s the extremely oversized rear quarter panels

It’d have made more sense as a jacked up wagon ala outback. I saw one recently and it was only marginally shorter than the X5 it was parked next to

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 21:20

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I like the concept of the 5GT, but the height kills it for me. I read a review that says more upright (think SUV-ish) seating position too

pjhusa > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/07/2016 at 22:12

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But legroom. That’s basically what I say to anyone who thinks the design is ugly. Which does happen to be true.

WayDude > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 06/09/2016 at 22:23

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The BMW looks like a really nice Honda Crosstour.