Riding on a 120-inch wheelbase and weighing nearly 4,900 pounds, the Gran Turismo is an uncompromising luxury cruiser that still manages to be remarkably fast. Credit goes to the standard 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 that cranks out 445 horsepower and takes the 550 from 0 to 60 mph in just under 5 seconds. All that power is dispatched through an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Thanks to rear-wheel drive and available drivetrain upgrades, the Gran Turismo can tow up to 4,630 pounds, something very few cars can accomplish.
The decadent leather-and-wood interior has an unusually spacious and airy feel, due in part to the standard panoramic two-panel glass sunroof, which features a wind deflector and power sunshade. The Gran Turismo is a five-seater unless you upgrade to a Luxury Rear Seating Package ($3,500) featuring two individual seats separated by a console, and four-zone climate control. With either rear-seat configuration, you can add a pair of separately controllable video screens ($2,200) for TV, Internet, DVDs, apps, and mobile devices. The Cold Weather Package includes heated seats all around, a heated steering wheel, and retractable headlight washers -- it's a relative bargain at $950. BMW's M Sport Package ($3,500) is also available for a more aggressive appearance inside and out. Buyers may add 19- or 20-inch performance run-flat tires to the M for an extra $1,000.