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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 Lexus LS460L Overview

Once available as a single model, the top-of-the-line Lexus LS now includes an entire range of cars, including long- and short wheelbase versions (LS460 and LS460L), and as of last year, a hybrid, the LS400h. The two conventional gasoline-powered versions are both driven by a 4.6-liter V-8, with direct-injection and variable camshaft timing, whipping up 380 horsepower and 367 lb-ft. of torque in rear-drive form. Those numbers drop to 367 hp and 344 ft-lb. in all-wheel-drive versions. An 8-speed automatic drives routes power to the ground. Lexus claims a 5.4-second 0-60 mph time for rear-drive models, and 5.9 for awd versions. Despite that performance, the flagship Lexus has long been known as a car to be driven in, rather than one to drive.

All LS460 models are very well equipped, with standard leather interior, leather and wood steering wheel, power steering column, 16-way driver's and 12-way front passenger's heated seats, moonroof and 10-speaker stereo.

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 Lexus'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 Lexus doesn’t…

• Despite its larger displacement and variable valve timing, the Lexus V-8 has a far narrower powerband, with less horsepower (380) and far less torque (367 lb-ft).
• The LS460L's disc brakes are much smaller, with 13.1-inch fronts paired with 12.4-inch rear.
• On the LS460L, the Adaptive Variable Air Suspension provides alternative suspension settings and load leveling, is part of a $2200 package.
• Even in its long-wheelbase configuration, the LS460L offers less interior space than the 550i Gran Turismo.
• The LS460L boasts an 18 cu-ft trunk, but there's no way to expand that capacity. Further, with its optional rear air conditioning, trunk volume shrinks to only 12 cu ft.
• The LS460L features a conventional trunklid, which can't offer the convenience
• 4-zone Climate Control is part of a $10,000 package on the Lexus LS460L.
• Lexus offers no technology to augment the LS's Xenon headlamps, and nothing like Pedestrian Detection.
• Lexus offers a side view camera on its latest full-size SUV, the LX570, but not on the LS460 models.
• Lexus offers no equivalent to BMW's unique Head-up Display.
• The rear entertainment option on the LS460L offers only a single, ceiling-mounted screen, and can show only one video presentation at a time.
• The optional Variable Gear-Ratio Steering provides some of the same advantages of BMW's system, but lacks rear-steering and has no effect on turning circle.
• The Lexus navigation still features only a visually intensive touch screen operation with a 9-inch display, and its access isn't as intuitive as iDrive, with no programmable keys and no direct-access buttons.
• The Lexus navigation includes a hard-drive-based system, but it's only 30 GB, and has none of the other BMW features such as CD ripping, music storage, email access or internet search.
• Lexus' 4 year/50,000-mile warranty includes Roadside Assistance, but no maintenance.
• The LS offers only a 6 year/unlimited miles corrosion warranty

'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.