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The BMW 550i Gran Turismo Overview

BMW is a company practiced at building class-defining vehicles. Whether it's the original M3, the Z1 roadster, or the most recent example, the X6 Sports Activity Coupe, BMW has managed to produce a long line of performers notable not just for their sheer competence, but for their category-shattering innovation.

So it is this year, as BMW introduces the 550i Gran Turismo, the first sedan to merge the utility and driving position of an X5 with the comfort and room of a 7 Series and the performance and handling of a 5 Series. The Gran Turismo represents a unique vehicle, representing a class of one. At the same time, its broad range of capabilities invites comparisons with multiple vehicles across a wide spectrum of classes.

The Audi Q7 Overview

Audi's full-size Q7 sport-utility received a minor facelift for 2010, with new lights front and rear, new interior and exterior trim, ventilated leather and an updated version of its MMI navigation system. Engines and drivetrains remain as before, with either a 3.6-liter V-6 or 4.2-liter V-8, 6-speed Tiptronic automatic and quattro all-wheel-drive as standard. Audi offers three trim levels, Standard, Premium and Prestige. The flagship Q7 4.2 comes only in one configuration and trim level, the 7-passenger Prestige.

As Audi's first truck-based Sport Utility Vehicle, the Q7 garnered praise at its 2006 introduction for its fit and finish and its 7-passenger capability. Based on a common chassis with VW's Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, Audi's first foray into the class is large ' 200.2 inches overall, with a 118.2-inch wheelbase ' heavy, weighing in at 5324 lbs. The 4.2-liter direct-injected V-8 puts a respectable 350 horsepower through its 6-speed Tiptronic automatic, but the SUV's weight saps much of the performance. In terms of safety, the Q7 received a 5 Star rating from NHSTA and a 'Best Pick' from IIHS.

What BMW offers…

• BMW's twin-turbo V-8 produces 400 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque and offers a wider powerband (1750 -5400 rpm) than Audi's normally aspirated V-8.
• The Gran Turismo is also much quicker, 0-60 mph 5.4 seconds.
• BMW's 8-speed automatic provides additional ratios to improve both performance and efficiency.
• BMW includes larger brakes, ventilated front and rear: 14.7-inch front with 14.6-inch rear, for sure, drama-free stopping. The Gran Turismo also uses BMW's composite aluminum/cast iron brake rotors, which are much lighter than conventional.
• The Gran Turismo includes standard Driving Dynamic Control, which provides alternative settings for steering, throttle and transmission shift response.
• Standard equipment on the Gran Turismo includes a Panoramic moonroof and retractable headlight washers.
• BMW's iDrive includes standard Programmable Memory keys, and the optional navigation adds an 80GB hard disc with 12 GB music memory, 10.2-inch display, Real Time Traffic Info, CD-ripping capability, MyInfo and BMW Search.
• BMW's Night Vision includes Pedestrian Detection as an additional safety measure.
• The Driver Assistance Package includes Lane Departure and Blind Spot Warning plus High Beam Assistant.
• The Gran Turismo Camera Package includes rearview and Side View Cameras, which provide an accurate, wide-angle view of approaching traffic on busy cross streets.
• BMW's Full Color Head-up Display places a customized, virtual instrument panel directly in the driver's line of sight.
• BMW's 4 year/50,000-mile warranty includes Full Maintenance and Roadside Assistance
• BMW includes a 12 year/unlimited miles corrosion warranty

What Audi doesn’t…

• Audi's 4.2-liter normally aspirated V-8 puts out a respectable 350 horsepower, but its 325 lb-ft doesn't approach BMW's maximum or its wide powerband.
• The Q7 reflects its truck background with a 7.1 second 0-60 mph time.
• Audi's Q7 still features the company's conventional 6-speed automatic.
• Audi's brakes are surprisingly small, 13.8-inch front/13.0-inch rear, particularly given the Q7's 5324-lb curb weight. The Q7 also features conventional cast-iron brake rotors, which don't offer the weight savings nor the fade-resistance of BMW's cast-iron/aluminum composites.
• Audi's Q7 4.2 offers an optional air suspension that includes adjustable ride height and damping, but it has no effect on steering, throttle response or shift programming.
• Headlight washers are part of the Q7's $2000 S Line package, and a Panoramic moonroof is $1850.
• The Q7 4.2 admittedly includes standard navigation, but even with its 2010 upgrade, Audi's MMI system still only features a 40GB hard drive with 4GB music storage, 7-inch display screen and no CD-ripping. Audi also has nothing like Programmable Memory Keys, MyInfo or BMW Search.
• Audi offers nothing like Night Vision with Pedestrian Detection.
• The Q7 has a standard blind spot monitor, but nothing like High Beam Assistant or Lane Departure Warning.
• Audi's Q7 4.2 includes a rearview camera with its standard parking assist, but has nothing like BMW's Side View cameras.
• Audi doesn't offer a Head-up Display on any of its vehicles.
• Audi's standard 4 year/50,000 mile warranty includes Roadside Assistance, but no maintenance.
• Audi's corrosion warranty is 10 year/unlimited miles.

'Truly, the interior of the 5-series GT is quite beautiful. BMW's recent efforts to make its

interiors both aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically sensible pay off in the form of elegant color combos,

premium materials (including two glossy and one matte wood finish),and high-resolution,

black-panel screens for the gauge cluster and iDrive display.' Car and Driver

Shelly BMW proudly serves Orange County - including Anaheim, Atwood, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, La Palma, La Habra, Lakewood, Midway, Placentia, Pomona, Rowland Heights, Stanton, Whittier, Westminster and Yorba Linda.