Paul Tan's Automotive Industry News

BMW Concept 5-Series GT versus Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION

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Crossovers

Is it a coincidence that both arch-rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz chose to showcase their next generation D-segment luxury cars (5-Series and E-Class) in concept form as a coupe-estate-crossover of sorts? They also both feature plush interiors with only 4 seats, but 4 that are dedicated to offering a very high level of comfort.

The only difference is while the ConceptFASCINATION remains just that for now – a concept car, the BMW Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo will actually get a production version, one that BMW says will hit spot on at a certain target group – the aging deep-pocketed customer who finds the traditional 5-Series seating position too sporty and the BMW X6’s seating position too high and imposing.

Given that sometimes these car manufacturers actually emulate each other, especially if they see their competitor’s new niche product gaining commercial success (look at all the new 4-door coupes out there), if the 5-Series GT hits the jackpot, will we see the ConceptFASCINATION design enter production status sometime in the future?

24 Comments »

  1. Anti-Merc said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 1:28 am

    First~ That Mercedes-Benz looks like a 'kereta potong'!

  2. Kei9 said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 1:48 am

    Both looks too heavy and also very unnecessary.
    But both compete for the same segment?
    Not a coincidence.

  3. B33MER said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 3:02 am

    Haha … notice how even the wheels on the mercs are almost identical to a BMW wheels ;) Tho i have to say that the mercs offering is more pleasant to the eye than the BMW offering

  4. AMG_Kin said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 3:57 am

    From this two, i prefer the MERC…
    and is that can we see a same segment concept car from audi later too?

  5. carsut said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 4:57 am

    for me, Merc design cues looks more promising than BMW.. BMW looks kinda wierdo

  6. a18 said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 5:05 am

    sedan-coupe-wagon is d next theme for Auto world

  7. Javanese said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 6:45 am

    It's official… Merc employ better designers!

  8. lambov12 said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 6:51 am

    how come both Mercs and Beemeer are so fanatic to those cross-over design .. ??

    it looks horrible and terrible !!

  9. loromotion said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 7:01 am

    wow new post comment system cool, very COOL…

  10. NutzeyWagen said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 7:24 am

    Being a lover of German-made cars, I hv to admit that both cars look unsightly. More like our local 'cut-n-join' concept.

  11. AMG_Kin said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 7:37 am

    Maybe you are right, but this 'cross-over' theme based car will be the main future theme!

  12. kazai said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 7:42 am

    I think it looks more to Caldina

  13. AUTOBAHN said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 7:43 am

    THE MERC IS A HEARSE. THE BMW A BEAUTY

  14. LuqmanRohaizat said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 5:34 pm

    Screw BMW for using Volvo’s new found colour scheme (that gold copper kinda colour) I know that colour is not a copyrighted thing, but come on BMW, colour lain banyak lagi….

  15. Xx- Ferrari -xX said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 6:51 pm

    Both the conti cars looks damn cool with its hatches but BMW looks more emerging while benz more sleekier……..

  16. Coyotito said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 7:00 pm

    I prefer Mercs’s than BMW’s. Well, to all the BMW lovers. Seriously no offense tho, I am actually kind of disappointed with BMW’s recent new car model design. Their looks just don’t convince me to buy them since they look awkward. I believe German engineers build them based on certain concept and no doubt there are qualities in it but still, I prefer Merc than BMW

  17. mystvearn said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 8:17 pm

    Both trying to make a bigger version of the Volvo C30 and failed. Volvo C30 still looks better even though 4 seats.

  18. naz3em said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 8:39 pm

    why they wan 2 try something like ala hatchback?porsche also wan 2 try something awkward like the panamera.but between three of them,i will choose the bmw.

  19. mitlanevo said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 9:14 pm

    the merc looks better…..

  20. BanyakMasukWorkshop said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 9:24 pm

    LuqmanRohaizat said,
    February 15, 2009 @ 5:34 pm

    Screw BMW for using Volvo’s new found colour scheme (that gold copper kinda colour) I know that colour is not a copyrighted thing, but come on BMW, colour lain banyak lagi….
    ________________________________________________________

    bmw has used a gold copper like colour for some of its cars since the late 90’s. and like you said yourself, since colour is not copyrighted, how can bmw be “copying” volvo”?

    anyways.. i think we’re starting to have a glimpse of future european auto trends here.. whether we like it or not, or whether it will be adopted widespread, only time will tell.

  21. raybrig85 said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 10:03 pm

    both are ugly but merc is better..LOL

  22. chaku said,

    February 15, 2009 @ 11:58 pm

    merc -good looking hearse
    bmw-hideous,biggest nostriled bmw…eye poking

  23. layman said,

    February 16, 2009 @ 11:47 am

    BMW – Look AWESOME
    MERC – Look AH PEK

  24. Autobahn said,

    February 17, 2009 @ 4:13 pm

    when can i buy this car

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