Singapore - ONCE it may have been viewed as an unusual animal, but time and a mild facelift have managed to transform the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo into something of a practical beauty. The 5 GT is essentially a large premium hatchback and elegant in its own way, with nice design cues such as the tapering roofline and frameless door windows - but it wows less with its lines than with its utility and performance.

Still, a mid-life makeover has softened its appearance. The front apron has been modified and it now sports adaptive LED headlamps; the redesigned rear lowers the car visually, and its tail lights are slimmer. The side indicator lights have been integrated into the exterior mirrors and there are several new paint finishes.

More interestingly though, the revamp has revised the rear section of the car and increased boot capacity by more than 10 per cent to 500 litres. The storage compartments and cup holders in the centre console are also bigger.

In 535i form, the capable 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine in front drives the rear wheels in classic fashion.

With 400 Newton-metres of torque to haul 2,015 kg of German metal, the 535i GT has good performance, although it is not explosive. As usual, there is the Driving Experience Control function and here, it offers five driving modes - Eco Pro, Comfort+, Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

Each modifies the steering weight, throttle response and shift points of the eight-speed automatic transmission accordingly, and because the Gran Turismo comes with Dynamic Damper Control as standard, the electronically controlled dampers can also be altered.

So in Sport, the 535i GT is a keen machine. Although there is no mention of chassis changes, there seems to have been some finetuning. As a result, the large 5 GT exhibits an increased level of agility while being slightly more sensitive to steering inputs, especially in Comfort mode.

Riding on large 20-inch wheels, the GT feels extremely planted. Electronically controlled anti-roll bars enhance stability in fast corners and you're always in control, even in the wet. The 535i Gran Turismo has amazingly reassuring brakes and high braking stability.

And despite it being a relatively tall car, the driver sits low with an excellent driving position for taller occupants.

All this in a package that offers more cabin room than a 5 Series Sedan, on which it is based. The spacious interior has great headroom and the rear legroom is better than the Sedan's because at 3,070 mm, the 5 GT's wheelbase is 102 mm longer.

The rear seats are adjustable - they slide forward or backwards and with reclinable seatbacks. (If required, they also fold to increase cargo space.)

So while this big BMW may be a hatch, it is as cushy as a limo. In Comfort+, for example, the softer ride is surprisingly successful.

Then there is the clever split tailgate. The non-glass portion can be lifted on its own if you do not need to open the entire electrically operated rear hatch. Its hands-free opening feature - by simulating a kicking movement under the rear bumper - now includes an auto-closing mechanism.

Only the size of the back window limits the image in the rear view mirror. And the way the auto start/stop function jolts the engine back to life again after shutting it down to save fuel while stationary is not in keeping with the overall refinement of the car.

But with more space and more fun than a saloon, this refreshed Gran Turismo is now both practical and prettier.

Get The Business Times for more stories.